Psychology: Understanding Childhood Characteristics and Development

Running head: PSYCHOLOGY
PSYCHOLOGY
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

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PSYCHOLOGY
Introduction:
The assignment would be mainly based on the depiction of some of my important
characteristics from phases of my childhood. Three important themes of psychology would then
be applied in order to ensure a detailed description of the rationale behind such characteristics of
my childhood. Thus would help to understand how professionals can utilize theories to explain
the behaviors of children and accordingly try to help them to grow in an efficient and healthy
manner both psychologically and physically.
Description of my characteristics:
I used to be a fail miserably as a student both in my academics as well as in sports and
other co curricular activities when I was in the time phase of 7 to 11 years. I used to score poor
well in my academics and in sports and always used to be the upset about it. I used to be obese,
unfit and had an unhealthy body weight with high absenteeism. However, I used to be constantly
encouraged and guided by my family members as well as also by my teachers. They used to set
up examples which I can follow and learn and thereby I had developed some of the best values
and beliefs that help me in leading best quality life. This helped me to change drastically where I
gradually started having better scores. I also started undertaking physical activity sessions under
guidance of my teachers which helped me become physically fit. I would explain my
achievements with the help of three important themes that would help in understanding my
characters of childhood successfully.
My psychosocial development:
In order to explain the psychosocial development, the main theory that would be utilized
is the Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development. He was of the opinion that personality

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PSYCHOLOGY
developed in a series of stages. He had described that social experiences have major impacts on
the development of an individuals throughout the whole lifespan (Kerpelman et al., 2018). He
had undertaken extensive researches to find out the ways by which social interaction as well as
relationships played an important role in the development and growth of human beings. His
theory is built on the preceding stages that pave the ways for following the periods of
development (Goldie et al., 2016). Experts are of the opinion that conflicts play an important
central role which governs whether a child will develop a psychological quality or the child will
fail to develop the quality. It is often found that during this time, the potential for personal
growth is quite but so is the potential for failure (Zhang et al., 2015). As per the analysis of the
different stages, it had been seen that the childhood characteristics was found in the age period of
7-8 which falls in the category of the Psychosocial Stage 4 - Industry vs. Inferiority. Experts are
of the opinion that through social interaction, children get the opportunity of developing a sense
of pride in their accomplishments as well as abilities (Syed et al., 2017). Children who are
encouraged and commended by their parents and teachers develop a feeling of competence and
belief in their skills. Those who are seen to receive little or no encouragement from parents,
peers, teachers and others doubt their abilities of being successful. Experts are also of the opinion
that it is important to successfully find a balance at this stage of psychosocial development. This
mainly leads to the strength that is called as competence in which the children are seen to
develop a belief that they can successfully complete the tasks set before them (Greene, 2017).
My parents observed that I was lacking the confidence within me to start working harder
as I used to feel that there would no fruitful result even if I would try my level best. I had started
considering that I would never be able to get educated like my other friends. I was often bullied
at school as I was overweight and could not participate in sports and extra-curricular activities at