DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY.

Running head: DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author note:

1DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
Question 1
Two key lifespan development theories which have extensively developed our
understanding of children and adults, is Erik Erikson’s theory of Psychosocial Development and
Jean Piaget’s theory of Cognitive development. Erikson’s theory focused on the development of
individuals throughout their lifespan as a result of social interactions and relationships and hence,
emphasized on an emotional changes one encounters from childhood to old age (Kerpelman &
Pittman, 2018). In contrast, Piaget’s theory focused more on development of cognition and
thought process in children as a result of responses to social stimuli, merely up to years of late
adolescence or early adulthood. However, both theories were similar with respect to their
emphasis on the impact of nurture, that is, family, relationships and environment, on growth and
development, rather than nature, or an individual’s personality constructs (Lourenço, 2016).
Question 2
Both theories have continued to represent my development quite accurately. Indeed, as
per my age, I relate extensively to the psychosocial stage of Intimacy vs. Isolation, since I feel a
sense of strong commitment to my relationships with friends and peers. I can also relate my
present cognitive abilities and possible future development in thought process with Piaget’s
Formal Operational stage, as evident in my growing interest to explore underlying abstract,
philosophical and logical aspects whenever I read events or news articles on current social
affairs.