...Children do not perceive death is the same way as adults (citation). This paper examines a child’s perception of death and the development changes that children experience when trying to understand death. Articles by psychologists Maria H. Nagy and Sylvia Anthony are compared and contrasted to other scholarly articles on death and bereavement therapy, in particular therapy for children. Researchers Nagy and Anthony’s proposed model of children’s concepts of death shows the developmental changes children experience when trying to understand death. Their research is validated by Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development (citation). Piaget’s model is accepted by professional psychologists as a scholarly index of the cognitive development of children. Piaget’s theory supports articles by Nagy and Anthony (citation). Barbara Kane’s research supports Maria Nagy and Anthony’s developmental model, however Kane’s research disputes Nagy’s suggestion that children tend to personify death (citation). Finally, the research of Gerald P. Koocher is compared and contrasted to Nagy and Anthony’s article. Koocher’s research links Piaget’s developmental model to the development of the children's conceptualizations of death. Koocher’s article also suggests that culture is an important factor that influences the conceptualization of death (citation). My particular field of study is clinical health psychology with a specialty of working with terminally ill children. In conducting...
Words: 1260 - Pages: 6
...Saint Leo University PSY325 Developmental Psychology Course Description: A survey of the major areas in human development with an equal emphasis placed on child, adolescent, and adult development. The course examines developmental changes over the entire life-span and the processes underlying these changes. All major areas are reviewed including biological, cognitive, language, personality, emotional, moral, social, and career development. This course is an upper level elective course in the major. It is a course that is highly desirable for students in Social Work, Education, Human Services, Pre-Med, and Pre-Nursing. The sub-discipline of Developmental Psychology also draws heavily upon almost every other field in psychology. Prerequisite: PSY121 Textbooks: Berk, L. E. (2014). Exploring lifespan development (3rd ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc. ISBN-13: 978-0-205-95738-5 Course Objectives: Developmental Psychology is perhaps the most interdisciplinary field within psychology. It encompasses genetics, learning, physiological psychology, perception, cognitive psychology, intelligence, personality, gender issues, social influences, and psychological disorders. It uses a similar methodology as other fields but also utilizes some innovations specific to human development research. This course is a lifespan development course. That is, it will examine in detail how we develop physically, mentally, morally, and socially from the moment of conception through adulthood and old age...
Words: 2594 - Pages: 11
...Human Development Mindy Donaldson PSY 280 April 26, 2015 There are quite a few different theories about human growth and development, and why people do the things that they do. In this paper I will discuss and summarize three theories and how each is related to human growth and development, identifying one influential theorist for each. In addition this paper will include many views of the lifespan perspective followed by an explanation of how nature and nurture effect human development. Developmental theory can be defined as a conglomeration of ideas about achieving a good change in one’s society. Such theories draw on a variety of science disciplines and approaches that can provide a framework to understand how and why people evolve throughout their lifespan. Theorists in an attempt to make sense out of their observations try and design concepts that can outline a person’s development throughout life from one’s start as an infant all the way through adulthood (Berger, 2010). The influential theorists in this paper that I will discuss are: Sigmund Freud, John Watson, and Jean Piaget. Psychoanalytic theory is a theory of personality organization and the dynamics of human development that holds that irrational, unconscious drives and motives, often originating in childhood, underlie human behavior (Berger, 2010 p. 17). (Berger, 2010) According to Freud, development occurs over three stages during the first six years of life, each stage being characterized by sexual...
Words: 1246 - Pages: 5
...Social orientation is the recognition of human psychology and behavior. The emphasis on human thought, emotion, and behavior was to represent the thought, emotion, and behavior of members of a social group. Thomas Hobbes declared that the social groups are nothing more than a collection of individuals and that of social thought, emotion, and behavior, governed by the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain (Greenwood, 2009). Cognitive psychology represents the distinction amongst the human mind and a computer that suggest that humans have the ability to process information from around the world just as computer. Cognitive psychology is not old but the newest part of psychology where the information we receive through our senses is then administered through the brain. Cognitive psychologists try to develop explanations of cognitive development, memory, attention, artificial intelligence, perception, and social cognition. The laboratory methods used to determine the outcome of a controlled circumstance are memory test and research studies. During the early 21st century, it appears that experimental psychology is healthy and growing; likewise the crisis in theories and progress is of discern. At this time there is not a crisis in psychology, nevertheless psychology can be described as an interregnum period, with much activity and no major leading directions or theoretical commitments (Mandler, 2011). The first crisis shown in psychology was seen in 1899. There was an argument of...
Words: 1716 - Pages: 7
...wide field in the field of psychology. It all began with Darwin, who, in his quest to understand evolution, began to study the topic. In simple terms, lifespan development refers to a process, usually beginning from conception and ending when an organism dies. The process occurs methodologically and is as a result of the change that occurs with increasing age. Although the lifespan development may look simple, it is quite complex and involves different developmental stages. According to Baltes, (1996), the entire life cycle has four eras. These eras, he says, take an approximate time of 20-25 years. Levinson goes further to identify the developmental periods as childhood and adolescence, early childhood, middle adulthood, and late adulthood. At this point in time, it is formal to simplify various terminologies that relation to human development. This is because they will feature constantly in the preceding sections. First and foremost is development. This is simply a change characterized by movement from one state to another. Usually, development leads to transitions. Development, as will be used in this paper, will refer to growth, and progression through certain stages, commonly termed as “maturity.” Another term of significance is stage. This refers to sections that differentiate the various phases of growth. The phases involve changes which are either physical or intellectual and their subsequent impact on life events and experiences. This paper examines the wider field...
Words: 4003 - Pages: 17
...PSYCH 500 Paper on Significant Topic of your Choice This paperwork contains PSYCH 500 Paper on Significant Topic of your Choice Psychology - General Psychology PSYCH 500 COMPLETE COURSE (Lifespan Development) PSYCH 500 Week 1 Individual Assignment Current Issue in Life-Span Development Paper Select a current issue in the field of life-span development. You may choose an issue that has directly affected your personal development or an issue of personal interest. Prepare a 700- to 1,050-word analysis of your selected issue. Include a description of the issue and its connection to significant concepts, distinctive features, and critical periods in life-span development. Examine any controversies associated with your issue and summarize in your analysis how the issue has enhanced or hindered the study of life-span development. Format your paper according to APA standards. PSYCH 500 Week 4 Individual Assignment Developmental Case Study Complete the Developmental History Case Study, located on the student Web site. PSYCH 500 Week 6 Learning Team Assignment Life-Span Development Portfolio Presentation Resources: Life-Span Development Portfolio Instructions Prepare a 10- to 15-minute oral presentation accompanied by 7-10 Microsoft® PowerPoint® slides illustrating your Life-Span Development Portfolio. Online Campus students will submit a 7- to 10-slide Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation with speaker notes. PSYCH 500 Week...
Words: 279 - Pages: 2
...This chapter is an introduction to the ideas, people, and events that have guided scientific activity in developmental psychology over the past century. Its preparation has been facilitated by several recent publications on the history of developmental psychology. The views of the past held by active researchers are reflected in chapters of the edited volume, A Century of Developmental Psychology (Parke, Ornstein, Rieser, & Zahn-Waxler, 1994). The contributors are, with few exceptions, currently involved in contemporary research. Secondary commentaries can provide useful guides and interpretations, but there is no substitute for consulting original sources. To that end, a reprint series containing historically significant original articles and volumes has been prepared by Wozniak (e.g., 1993, 1997). Other recent volumes include the contributions of professional historians and others who are not enmeshed in current empirical debates of the discipline (e.g., Broughton & Freeman-Moir, 1982; Elder, Modell, & Parke, 1993). In addition, the social relevance and the making of the discipline in American society have been told expertly by Sears (1975) and White (1995). Any single overview—including this one—can tell only part of the story.1 Adopting the convention used in the previous Handbook of Child Psychology, 20 years must lapse before a contribution or event qualifies as historical. Two decades constitute approximately one generation in the life of our science; therefore, 1976...
Words: 4222 - Pages: 17
...Human Development Amber Jones PSY 280-Human Growth and Development October 13, 2012 Linda Baker Human Development The growth and development of humans is a very interesting topic to discuss with anyone. There are so many theories that people have on human development and it always makes for interesting conversations. In this paper, I will put focus on the psychoanalytic theory, the stages of psychosocial development theory, and the stages of faith theory. I will focus on the three theories because I feel that they are extremely interesting to the growth and development of humans. To be more specific, I want to focus on exactly what the theories are and how they are important and/or related to the human growth and development. As well, I want to focus on at least on theorist who is known specifically for the theory I focus on. I also want to identify the aspects of the life span from that theory’s perspective. Last, but definitely not least, I want to discuss in detail how the heredity and the environment have influence on human development. By the end of the paper, you as the reader, should have a better understanding of the three theories of my choosing and how human development works. Psychoanalytical Theory The first theory related to human growth and development that I want to focus on is the psychoanalytical theory. With this specific theory, the personality organization and the development of the personality dynamics is he focus. Probably the most...
Words: 973 - Pages: 4
...Lifespan Perspective Paper Lifespan Perspective Paper A person’s lifespan is from the moment of conception through death. Lifespan development is the different stages a person passes through as he or she develops. Perspective of lifespan development understands the changes that occur in development. Freud and Piaget have very different theories of lifespan development. Freud’s theory is a basis of id, ego, and superego, whereas Piaget’s is a cognitive development that occurs over a person’s lifetime. Nature and Nurture are more than perspectives in lifespan development they influence how and who a person will be. Lifespan development is the time from conception to death as a person develops and grows; the perspective in relationship to human development is lifelong, and theories of lifespan development can be seen in Freud, and Piaget, while the influences of a person life is nature and nurture. What is Lifespan Development A person’s lifespan begins as a fetus and as it develops and grows for nine months in the womb becoming a person either male or female will continue through stages in a his or her life. The study of human development is a science seeking to understand how humans change over their lifetime (Berger, 2008). The changes a person goes through as he or she grows can be linear-gradual, predictable, steady, but normally they are none of these. The common stages are birth, infancy, adolescence, adulthood, old age, and the ending death. To define lifespan...
Words: 1130 - Pages: 5
...Lifespan Development Paper Developmental psychology is unit or branch of psychology which is concerned with the study of progressive behavioral changes in an individual from birth until death.Developmental psychology seeks to address various aspects of human development, including physical, cognitive, social, moral, and personality development. This paper will focus on the developmental psychology as it relates to infancy. Infancy is the time from birth until the age of one year old. What factors affect physical development? A baby; a precious new life is brought into the world and what an amazing and wonderful first year of life is in store for not only this child but his or her parents as well. During their first year, babies start to develop skills they will use for the rest of their lives. The normal growth of babies can be broken down into the following areas: Gross motor skills such as controlling the head, sitting, crawling and maybe even starting to walk. Fine motor skills like holding a spoon, picking up a piece of cereal between thumb and finger. Sensory skills are learning to use our senses in seeing, hearing, tasting, touching and smelling. Language development skills are starting to make sounds, learning some words, understanding what people say and Social skills is learning the ability to play with family members and other children. Culture has a major influence in regards to a child’s development. If a child is overstimulated or even under stimulated;...
Words: 2676 - Pages: 11
...Piaget’s Theory of Child Psychological Development There currently exists a great deal of literature based on child developmental psychology from a variety of great psychologists, notably Freud, Erikson, Bowlby, Bandura, Vygotsky, and many others. However, this paper will focus on the theories of Jean Piaget. Jean Piaget, a Swiss developmental psychologist and philosopher, was born in Neuchatel, Switzerland on August 9, 1896. After working with Alfred Binet in his children’s intelligence tests, Piaget developed an interest in the development of children He is widely known for his epistemological studies regarding children and formulating the Cognitive Theory of Development. Piaget self-identifies as a genetic epistemologist; “What the genetic epistemology proposes is discovering the roots of the different varieties of knowledge, since its elementary forms, following to the next levels, including also the scientific knowledge”. Jean Piaget was the first to believe that children were no less smarter than adults, they just think differently. Piaget refers to children as “little scientists” because they actively try to explore and make sense of the world around them The model Piaget designed was a model that sought to explain how humans made sense of the world around them through collecting and organizing information from experiences with people, applied to children specifically. The model itself has four main stages in children: the sensorimotor stage (birth to two years)...
Words: 1069 - Pages: 5
...Lifespan Development and Personality Paper: Middle Childhood Ages Soterica Johnson Psy 103 June 15, 2015 Mary Newhams Lifespan Development and Personality Paper: Middle Childhood Ages The main goal of developmental psychology is to pursue the understandings of and report different aspects of human development. These aspects include development of physical, cognitive, social, moral, and personality. Discussing these aspects in different terms can be a tough task. In this paper I chose to write on one age group. To define this age, I will focus on the middle childhood ages 6 to 12. I will address physical, cognitive, social, and moral as well as personality development. Within these factors I am also considering both hereditary and environmental factors. Middle childhood is the period of life between the years of 6 to 12, where children are going to school, beginning to make friends outside of their families, mastering new physical and mental abilities, and also learning to become independent. During these ages physical development is most important. Growth may be slower during these ages, causing wide differences in height and weight in children. Passing through the beginning stages of life children have already began losing teeth. Middle childhood ages is when permanent teeth began to come in and dental visits have become more frequent. Children of this age group have improved motor skills so they began getting involved in more physical activities. Along with the psychical...
Words: 1266 - Pages: 6
...General Psychology, PSY101 Theories of Development and Application Understanding the theories of development is key in psychology. Everyone proceeds through specific areas of change and growth in key areas as they go through life. Whatever path is taken during life, understanding theories of development will assist us in motivating and guiding others, as well as understanding ourselves. The following theories of development will be applied to this author’s personal life experience: Jean Piaget’s Stage Theory of Cognitive Development, Developmental Stage Theory of Erik Erikson, Lawrence Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development, and Developmental Milestone: Motor Development will all be briefly explained. This author will provide examples of ways thinking has shifted to indicate entering the Formal Operational Thought stage. One stage of Erik Erikson’s Developmental Stage Theory will be chosen and will be applied to this author’s personal life. One decision this author made that was based on Kohlberg’s three levels of moral development will be described. Finally, based on a child this author has known, the description of this child has progressed from rolling over, sitting, standing and walking. This is also known as the four developmental milestones. Jean Piaget’s Stage Theory of Cognitive Development Jean Piaget is a psychologist who “identified stages of mental development, called Schema, and established the fields of cognitive theory and developmental psychology”...
Words: 1775 - Pages: 8
...B.A. Program: B.A. Course: Psychology Semester III & IV (As per Credit Based Semester and Grading System with effect from the academic year 2012–2013) 2 Programme – Bachelor of Arts (B. A.) Credit Based Semester and Grading System S.Y.B.A. Psychology Syllabi To be implemented from the Academic year 2012-2013 Semester III Course Course Code Title UAPSY301 Social Psychology: Part I UAPSY302 Developmental Psychology: Part I Units 1. The Field of Social Psychology 2. Social Cognition 3. Social Perception 4. Attitudes 1.Introduction - Beginnings 2.The Start of Life; Birth and the Newborn Infant 3.Physical Development in Infancy 4.Cognitive Development in Infancy Credits 3 Marks 100 ( 60 +40) 100 ( 60 +40) 3 Semester IV Course Course Code Title UAPSY401 Social Psychology Part II Units 1. Stereotyping, Prejudice and Discrimination 2. Social Influence 3. Aggression 4. Groups and Individuals 1. Physical, Social and Personality Development in the Preschool Years 2. Cognitive Development in Pre-school years 3. Physical, Social and Personality Development in Middle Childhood 4. Cognitive Development in Middle Childhood Credits 3 Marks 100 ( 60 +40) UAPSY402 Developmental Psychology: Part II 3 100 ( 60 +40) UAPSY 301 Semester III. Social Psychology: Part I (Credits = 3) 3 lectures per week; 45 lectures per Semester Objectives: 1. To impart knowledge of the basic concepts and modern trends in Social Psychology 2. To foster interest in Social Psychology as a field of study and research...
Words: 6732 - Pages: 27
...Lifespan Development and Personality Luis Cervantes PSY/103 January 11, 2016 Susanne Nishino Lifespan Development and Personality Developmental psychology is the study of how human beings age and transform throughout the eight major stages of life. This paper will focus on the physical, cognitive, social, moral, and personality development of individuals found in stage two, (early childhood 1-6 year olds). Through exploring, and examining the countless influences that affect their growth development. The physical growth transformations infants undergo in stage two of lifespan development range from, brain, motor, to sensory/perceptual development, and infant’s overall body height and weight. During the first two years, brain development and the central nervous system experience the most growth increase of any other infant’s body parts. Brain growth and learning transpire simply because neurons grow in size and the number of axons and dendrites, escalate (Carpenter S, & Huffman K. 2013a. pp. 237, 238). Meanwhile on the outside of the infant’s skull the fontanels or soft spots close off (Bjorklund, D. F., & Bering, J. M. 2002., pp. 272- 275). Motor skill development fall into two categories fine, and gross motor skills. Fine motor skill development involves the muscular, skeletal, and nervous systems generating precise operations of motions on the infant hands (Fluetsch, K. 2015 p. 9). Example of fine motor skills, a child’s ability to grasp a fork, spoon,...
Words: 1516 - Pages: 7
