Human Growth and Development Perspectives and Theories

Human Development
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Human Development
Human growth and development hinges upon philosophical interpretations. This assertion justifies the existence of many theories on human growth and development. Human growth refers to the ordinary increase in a human being’s physical aspect over time. Human development is a term that defines the qualitative changes in regards to the physical, emotional, and intellectual elements of a human being. These two elements are important to any being if they are to achieve their optimal potential in life. It is the reason most scholars spent considerable amount of time studying this area so that they could relay the information to the public and consequently, make useful actions from it.
Lifespan Perspective
In the course of making sense to various conclusions from these scholars, the lifespan perspective comes forth. Paul Baltes, a German psychologist, engineered the lifespan perspective in which he perceived human development as a lifelong process. Therefore, the concept was instrumental in identifying qualities or else problems that were distinctive relative to a precise age period (Baltes, Lindenberger, & Staudinger, 2007). Moreover, it consists of multiple aspects and frameworks.
Nature versus Nurture
On the other hand, one of the oldest issues in psychology lie in the hotly contested debate of nature versus nurture. This discussion is contentious and rests on discussing on whether specific elements of behavior are either acquired characteristics or else inherited genetically. In this case, some will argue that the external environment plays a crucial role in the imminent behavior in an individual while others argue that elicited behavior results from the innate makeup of an individual (Levitt, 2013). The bone of contention lies in the fact that the physical features of an individual reflect their genetic makeup while genes rarely receive any level of attention in the same individual’s behavior (Nikehasani, 2018). Although these are conflicting ideals, there is no doubt that an individual is a product of the two.
Theories of Human Growth and Development
Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Theory
Erik Erikson pioneered this model with core attention being on the challenges and tasks that one faces in their lifespan as vital to understanding human development. In his assertion, Erikson held that biological and genetic origins of behaviors interacted with environmental forces to create a result in the course of human development. For instance, the physiological development coupled with parents’ or society’s pressure produced psychosocial crises, which were the learning experiences and eventual developmental growths in a person. He identified eight stages of development through which humans pass and each of them offers a unique level of development. First is the trust versus mistrust apparent in an infant (0-112years). A toddler (1-3) will experience autonomy versus shame and doubt. A preschool child (4-6) will get accustome...