Psychosocial Development across the Lifespan

Running head: PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 1
Psychosocial Development across the Lifespan
Name
Institution

PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 2
Psychosocial development across the lifespan
Introduction
Developmental psychology studies the physical, mental and social changes as one grows
up, from childhood to old age. Several theorists have come up with theories which explain
certain aspects of human development and how they influence our personalities as we grow
older. Some of the theories this essay is going to look at are: psychosexual theory of
development by Sigmund Freud; Vygotsky’s social development theory. Each theory has a
specific focus on human development and how the aspects influence our personalities.
Main focus of the theories
Freud’s main focus for his theory was how sexual drive influences us to develop sexual
identity. He believed this drive to be very powerful. Freud came to refer to it as the libido, the
individual’s life force. Freud’s focus was on how the child’s relationships with others changed
while being influenced by the libido.
Vygotsky’s theory focuses on the importance of social interaction in cognitive
development. He believed the environments where one grew directly influences the intellectual
adaptation of children. The adults pass knowledge to the children. He shows through his theory
how instruction promotes development within the” zone of proximal development” (Vygotsky,
1978)
Key Concepts
Sigmund Freud developed a psychoanalysis which explains three dynamic systems of
personality with are constantly in conflict such as the id, the ego and the superego. Thee id is the
source of basic needs and requires instant gratification. The ego is in touch with reality. The