Developmental Psychology and its Critical Role in Humans

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Introduction
Developmental psychology plays a critical role in humans. Specifically, the subject of developmental psychology helps developmental psychologists understand ways in which human beings mature, learn and adapt. Psychologists observe human growth as well as changes across the human lifespan to understand different physical, social, cognitive, intellectual, emotional, and personality traits. This paper seeks to address an important stage of human growth and development – young adulthood – and find out why certain behavioral aspects happen in different categories of young adults. These aspects relate to growth and development in the social, spiritual, self-identity, and personality realms. Could these be the cause of the current phenomenon of young adults still living in their maternal homes, even into their late 20’s and early 30’s?
The young adulthood is a human developmental stage that is characterized by intimacy versus isolation. At this developmental stage, identity formation has been completed; it is therefore a stage meant to define oneself further through other people. This forms the basis of relationships between an individual and his or her intimate partner, parents and friends. Kins & Beyers (2010) defines the young adulthood as a stage of intimacy and generativity. In their argument, the authors say that the social skills portrayed by individual young adults depend on their social attachment from when they are young. It is important to note that at this stage of development, the young adults require more emotional as well as practical support of their "significant others". Therefore, individuals will tend to react based on the social attachment they have experienced in the past.
According to Broderick and Blewitt (2015), there are several distinct styles of parenting that determine the level of social development skills that an individual acquires. These include: authoritarian, neglecting, and permissive styles. In the authoritarian style, children tend to have low self-esteem and are prone to anxiety, including hostility. They are vulnerable to bullying in school life since they lack adequate social skills. As a result, these children may harbor feelings of being worthless. Later in life, such children will tend to pair with fellow insecure partners or peers, but if lucky, find security by overcoming their painful pasts. For the permissive style of parenting, parents are usually less demanding; however, children may acquire non self-reliant behavior. The children may also display an impulsive behavi...