Psychology Assignment: Comparing Developmental Theories and Life

This psychology assignment examines the impacts of various developmental theories on understanding human development, focusing on Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, Piaget's theory of cognitive development, Vygotsky's sociocultural theory, and Baltes' lifespan perspective. The assignment explores how these theories explain the mastery of skills and the development of an individual. The author then reflects on their own life, relating personal experiences to Erikson's stages, particularly stages five and six, which involve identity formation and relationship development. The assignment includes references to support the discussed theories and the author's self-reflection.

Running head: Psychology
Psychology
Student’s Name
University Name
Author note

1Psychology
Exercise 1 What are the impacts of theories on understanding human development?
Erikson stages of psychosocial development is based over the fruits psychosexual theory. Edit
Ericsson emphasized that the conduct of ego makes a positive contribution towards the human
development by mastering ideas, attitudes and skills at all the stages of development procedure
of an individual (Cherry, 2018). Erikson theory contributes to the mastery that helps and
individual to develop to a successful as well as a contributing member in the society. During all
the eight stages of Erikson theory, there lies a psychological conflict which needs to be e
overcome for a human to develop in a healthy and will adjust adult.
Theory of cognitive development by Jean Piaget suggest that human move through for essential
stages of mental development (Huitt & Hummel, 2003). This theory focuses over the
understanding of children towards acquiring knowledge and also identify the nature of
intelligence throughout the development process of a human being. This theory that focus over
the cognitive development of human being involving processes based on actions and progress for
changing mental operations.
Cognitive development theory by Vygotsky postulates that the context of social interaction is
essential towards the cognitive development of a human. This theory includes the concept of
language, culture specific tools, interdependence and the zone of proximal development. The
theory argues that cognitive abilities are socially constructed and guided (Leontiev, Lebedeva &
Kostenko, 2017). This theory includes culture specific tools which play an essential role for the
development of human. The major idea of this theory by Vygotsky includes the analogue among
mental and practical activities of human.

2Psychology
The lifespan perspective by Paul Baltes, excellence human development with the involvement of
the exploration of cognitive, biological and psychosocial changes as well as constant she's which
occurred throughout the entire course of human life (Baltes, 2000). This theory suggest that the
socio-cultural setting which is the development phase of a human, please add instant role
towards the development of human personality. The theory furthermore states that socio-cultural
setting of history has an effect over the development of human intelligence.
Exercise 2 Which theory influences you most and can you relate with your own life and how?
Erikson eight stages of psychosocial development has influenced me the most. This is because I
can relate my life with the stages of this theory. I believe that the stages of development as
proposed by psychologist Erikson explained how human beings mature throughout their life. The
stages of this theory furthermore clarifies the developmental challenges that a human face in
several point of his life. I can relate my life with stage 5 and stage 6 of Erikson psychosocial
model. Stage 5 includes adolescence stage framing the term identity crisis and role confusion. I
often struggle to question myself on, my purpose in this life and who am I. I have been apathetic
in in this stage while making no conscious search for identity, which in turn made me develop
weak sense of self and an experience of role confusion. I often struggle to adopt a positive role
and finding myself while being in the stage of early adulthood now. As per the stage 6 by
Erikson’s model, currently I am having trouble to develop as well as maintaining successful
relationship and a social life with others.

3Psychology
Reference
Baltes, P. B. (2000). Autobiographical reflections: From developmental methodology and
lifespan psychology to gerontology. A history of geropsychology in autobiography, 7-26.
Cherry, K. (2018). Erik erikson's stages of psychosocial development. Retrieved Juny, 5, 2018.
Huitt, W., & Hummel, J. (2003). Piaget's theory of cognitive development. Educational
psychology interactive, 3(2), 1-5.
Leontiev, D., Lebedeva, A., & Kostenko, V. (2017). Pathways of personality development:
Following Lev Vygotsky’s guidelines. Вопросы образования, (2 (eng)).