Exploring Psychological Theories Across Human Life Stages

This essay explores the relationship between various psychological theories and the different stages of human development, including behavioral, cognitive, psychodynamic, and humanistic theories. It highlights how these theories contribute to understanding human behavior, motivation, and personality development across the lifespan. The essay further delves into the stages of development as proposed by Freud and Erikson, comparing and contrasting their perspectives on key developmental milestones from infancy through adulthood. It examines the similarities and differences between these theories, particularly focusing on the influence of early experiences and the development of social skills, identity, and self-confidence. The essay provides a comprehensive overview of how psychological theories inform our understanding of human growth and development.

UNDERSTAND THEORIES OF LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT
Ways in which psychological theories are related to different life stages of
human development
Psychological theories such as behavioural theory is related to different
life stages of human development. Each of these theories play a vital role in
different life stages of human development in one way or the other. There
are four most commonly used psychological theories: behavioural, cognitive,
psychodynamic and humanistic theory. One of the most commonly known
psychological theory is behavioural theory. This theory focuses on
explaining human behaviour by analysing the consequences and antecedents
present in the individual environment as well as the learning that they have
acquired through their previous experience. This theory helps in
understanding various factors that affect human behaviour. This theory can
be related to different life stages of human development. There are six
known stages of human development and at each stage a human learns
various things in different manner due to which there are various changes in
an individual’s behaviour. Any kind of conflict that occurs at any stage of
life affect’s human behaviour and an individual’s personality.
Another psychological theory is cognitive theory which focuses on
internal stages of development like motivation, decision making skills,
problem solving, attention and thinking. This theory is applicable at different
human development life stages such as: In adolescence stage, adolescences
explore different roles, attitude, identities which helps them in developing
learning new skills, starts thinking in a different manner and seeks more
attention. Third psychological theory is psychodynamic theory which
focuses on the view that explains a personality in terms of consciousness and
unconsciousness, desires and beliefs etc. this theory says that childhood
experience of a child helps in shaping their personality. At each life span
stage of a child from birth till adulthood and experiences that children gain at
each stage helps in shaping their personality. Last psychological theory is
humanistic theory. This theory do not focus on abnormal behaviour of a
human and psychological problem faced by them in fact focuses on goodness
of a human being. In other words, it is a perspective that focuses on looking
at a whole individual and their stress concepts like free will, self-
actualization, self-efficiency. This theory can be related to adulthood life
span development stage as at this stage an individual focus on experience
and live in their environment and deal with their stress concepts.
Comparison of theories of life span development
There are various theories of life span development
that help an individual in understanding the way in which
children grow and develop into healthy and happy adults.
Out of those theories there are two famous theories that
help in understanding lifespan development, these
theories are Freud and Erikson development theories.
Both of these theories play a vital role in understanding
lifespan development and are equally important in
different ways. Both the theories have some similarities
and dissimilarities at each and every stage of life such as:
Age: Birth to 1 year
Both the theories focus on importance of early
stage development but both the theories has some minute
differences like Freud lays importance on feeding
whereas Erikson focuses on child’s need and response of
caretakers to those needs.
 Freud’s stage of psychosexual development
As per this theory this stage is known as oral stage.
Freud says that at this stage child’s primary pleasure
source is mouth i.e. eating, tasting and sucking.
 Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development
As per this theory this stage is known as trust vs
mistrust stage. Erikson says that at this stage child learns
either by trusting or mistrusting their caregivers as they
are completely dependent upon them.
Age: 1 to 3 years
 Freud’s stage of psychosexual development
As per this theory this stage is known as anal
development stage. Freud says child who succeed at this
stage develops a sense of productivity and capability.
 Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development
As per this theory this stage is known as autonomy vs
shame and doubt stage. Erikson says that child who
succeed at this stage develop a sense of independence
and those who struggle, doubt themselves.
Age 3 to 6 years
 Freud’s stage of psychosexual development
As per this theory this stage is known as phallic stage.
At this stage children become to identify their same- sex
parents.
 Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development
As per this theory this stage is known as initiative vs
guilt stage. At this stage children begin to take control
over their environment.
Age 7 to 11 years
 Freud’s stage of psychosexual development
This stage is known as Latent period where social skills and self-
confidence of child is developed.
 Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development
This stage is known as industry vs inferiority stage where child
develop a sense of competence by mastering new skills.
Age Adolescence
 Freud’s stage of psychosexual development
This stage is known as genital stage where child begins to explore
romantic relationship so that sense of balance can be developed
within them between all areas of life.
 Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development
This stage is known as identity vs role confusion stage where
child develops a sense of self and personality identity within them by
exploring attitude, role, identities.
Age Adulthood
 Freud’s stage of psychosexual development
Freud largely focuses on period between birth and adolescence
that lasts throughout adulthood.
 Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development
Erikson theory includes three more stages that spams adulthood.
First is intimacy vs isolation where young adults seek romantic
relationship and companionship. Second is generativity vs stagnation
where middle age adults’ nurtures others and contribute to society.
Last is integrity vs despair where older adults reflect on their lives.