Theories of Human Growth and Development Essay Example

emphasized the role played by society and culture as well as the conflicts which are involved the ego while Freud emphasized on the conflicts in superego and id. Although Erikson focuses on the ideas of Fraud, he specifically emphasizes on the creative and the adaptive characteristics in ego.
He further holds to the notion that development stages simply include the whole human lifespan (Lerner, 2001).

His lifespan model dealing with development had five stages going till the 18 years and further three stages to the adulthood. He also emphasizes that the adolescent stage is very crucial in the development of person’s identity. Similar to Freud, Erikson also maintained that the development of personality takes place what he referred to as a predetermined order and each stage is necessary (Epigenic principle).

The Social Learning Theory

In this theory which was proposed by Albert Bandura in 1977, she concurs with the behaviorist theories although she adds other two key ideas which are mediating processes takes place between response and stimuli and that behavior is always learned simply from the environment via the observational learning process (Lerner, 2001). According to this theory, children normally observe the behaviors of those around them who ultimately become the role models. Therefore in a society, the children are essentially surrounded by so many influential models that include parents, friends as well as the characters of children in televisions.
These models are imitated by the children and hence why they develop feminine and masculine characters (Lerner, 2001).

This is so because children are likely to imitate those people whom they perceive as being similar to them. Therefore children normally reinforce the behavior which is commonly portrayed within their reach.

The identification involves the adopting of certain behaviors which have been observed unlike in imitation which involves direct copying of the characters. The belief of Bandura is that external reinforcement is not the through which people area able to learn but also the intrinsic reinforcement which includes the sense of satisfaction, pride and accomplishment.

Lifespan Development Environment

Lifespan development is defined as methodical and intra-individual transformation that leads to progressions corresponding to age (Godfrey et al, 2010). Physical development refers to direct increase in body and organ size, ageing signs and motor abilities. The cognitive growth is the way the child perceives the world. The first framework understands the development as multidimensional which means the development affect every aspects of life human being. The development makes us understand our minds, emotions and bodies. The other framework of understanding is multidirectional which involve growth and decline.

Heredity is the genetic inheritance that is received by an individual during conception. The sperm and ovum contains 23 pairs of chromosomes out of which one is sex determining chromosome. X chromosome from mother and Y chromosome from mother will lead to male offspring. XX chromosomes from both parents will lead to a female offspring. Each chromosome contains genes that determine individual traits which are passed from one generation to another (Godfrey et al, 2010). During conception the gene for the male and female chromosomes fuse together and they determine traits of the offspring.

The physical characteristics such as weight, skin, and color of eye, height, intellectual and social behavior are determined by heredity. The differences in these traits are due to change in the transmitted genes. For instance fraternal twins are with different

characteristics since they are born of different genes. However, we find resemblance in the identical twins due since they are born out of monozygotic (Godfrey et al, 2010).

Genes can have a lot of influence of one’s life. Some genes if expressed can lead to certain physical trait or prevent other stages from occurring in development. Other expression of the gene may lead to serious medical conditions. Duchenne Muscular dystrophy (DMD) is one of detrimental hereditary diseases that can lead to early death. Children with DMD will show traits like wasting away of certain part of muscles that includes heart. Another hereditary disease is Turner’s syndrome which is a wide range anomaly that is signified by chromosomal anomalies which is characterized by absence of X chromosomes (Godfrey et al, 2010)

Environment is restricted within the womb of the mother and the surrounding environment to the just born. Like heredity, the environment is also found to play a very important role in determining the behavior and the personality in human development (Godfrey et al, 2010).The environment includes the extrinsic forces, conditions and influences which affect nature, life, behavior, the growth, the development and maturation of living things.

The zygote is surrounded by cytoplasm which is jelly like structure. The cytoplasm is intracellular environment that influences the development. Life begins as a single cell which divides to form several new cells and also a new internal environment is created. As the fetus grows the endocrine gland system develops. The secretions by these glands lead to another intracellular environment. Hormones are determiners of normal development but over or under secretions results into congenital deformities (Godfrey et al, 2010).

The developing embryo is

surrounded by the amniotic fluid in the uterus that creates another environment. The fluid provides the necessary warmth and prevents the embryo from dangers due to organism and other chemical effects. Umbilical cord connects the mother and the fetus through which the nutrition is passed. Sufficient supply of the nourishment is necessary since deficient in this leads to malnutrition (Godfrey et al, 2010).The defects like diabetes, drug or alcohol addition, endocrinal disturbances by the mother results into long term problems to the child. The psychological effects to the mother like depression or over excitement may lead to damaging effect to the child.

When the child is born is exposed to other new environment. This environment has different cultures, values and ideology. The home atmosphere like association between the siblings, peers, and parent love and affection creates entirely different new environment known as social environment. The social factors help in shaping the personality of the child. Hereditary and environment both play an important role in development of an individual. The environment will impact on individual growth differently depending on the genes, but both aspects are vital in maturation of an individual.

References

• Godfrey, K. M., Gluckman, P. D., & Hanson, M. A. (2010). Developmental origins of metabolic disease: life course and intergenerational perspectives. Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism, 21(4), 199-205.
• Lerner, R. M. (2001). Concepts and theories of human development. Psychology Press.