Child & Adolescent Development

Write a 500-750-word paper discussing the importance of child and adolescent psychology on development. Address the following in your paper:

Discuss how the study of child and adolescent development has changed over time.
Describe the five theoretical perspectives, including the major theorists associated with each
Include at least two scholarly resources, in addition to the textbook, in your paper.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

ANSWER

Child & Adolescent Development

Discuss how the study of child and adolescent development has changed over time.

Over the last few decades, research has generated new knowledge in child and adolescent development field. There are new insights and perspectives on the process and timing of adolescence. Initially, it was believed that biological influences, including hormonal changes, cognitive and analytical development, physical and emotional growth, and the need for self-exploration and independence, marked adolescence. However, new evidence shows that biological influences are not the only thing that affects youth. According to …, sociocultural context, family values, and economic conditions in which adolescents grow also affect their growth. The complex interaction between biological, social, and environmental factors will influence adolescents’ adjustment.

People in the past also believed that parent-child conflict was inevitable in adolescence. Scholars in this field previously thought adolescents were prone to psychosocial problems that resulted in conflicts. However, new evidence shows that this statement is untrue. According to Council and Kipke (2013), most adolescents can go through this stage without experiencing trauma or difficulty. However, those who grow up in adverse familial and social-cultural environments might experience more challenges than their counterparts. In such cases, the authors indicate that people should avoid labeling these challenges adolescents as “normal” (Council & Kipke, 2013). Instead of parents and caregivers thinking adolescents will outgrow these challenges, they should offer them as much support as possible.

Child Development

Two Greek philosophers, Aristotle and Plato, popularized child development studies. The philosophers were interested in exploring how environmental factors influence children’s development. The theorists divided the child’s life course into different stages even though they had different perspectives on child development. Plato believed all children should have the same opportunities to become constructive people in society. Self-control and self-discipline are the most important aspects of a child’s life.

On the other hand, Aristotle believes every child is different, and education should be individualized and delivered based on the child’s profile. These views dominated child development until the Middle Ages when preformationism was developed. Preformationists believe that a person’s body is always preformed in the ovum and awaits adulthood to mature. These theorists also believed that childhood ended at seven or eight years. During the industrial revolution, children were expected to work. Some scholars thought these working conditions were harmful to children’s development. The beginning of scientifically proven knowledge on child development started in the 19th century.

Various scientists, including Charles Darwin, started describing child development from their own children’s records. Even though these reports were not experimental, they set the ground for modern-day child development studies. Universities introduced it as a subject, motivating other researchers to produce knowledge in the area. Psychologists created experimental assessments to measure children’s intelligence and logical thinking, e.g., the Stanford-Binet test. Behavioral and psychodynamic theories that took the stage-like approach to development were created. This stage-like development approach still dominates child development studies to date. Paul Baltes is another psychologist whose perspective is used in contemporary child development. Instead of the stage-like approach to development, Paul Baltes believed that development happens throughout life.

Describe the five theoretical perspectives, including the major theorists associated with each

1. Theory of Psychosocial Development by Erik Erickson

Erik Erickson believed that the early relationship between a child and parents played a crucial role in a child’s development. His stages of development include (McHenry & Brooks, 2015, p.154).

• Trust versus mistrust stage (0-2 years) – A child develops feelings of unworthiness and mistrust when their primary caregiver or parent fails to be present or consistent.
• Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt (2 to 4 years) – Children can differentiate right from wrong and develop a sense of control.
• Industry versus inferiority (6 to puberty) – The child has a strong desire to feel accomplished or a sense of success relative to their peers. They tend to compare their performance with peers. If the child performs poorly compared to their peers, they develop feelings of inferiority.
• Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt (puberty) – The child struggles with finding their identity in their world. If the child fails to get a sense of self can lead to confusion.

1. Theory of Cognitive Development by Jean Piaget

• The sensorimotor period (1-2 years) – The child learns from their senses and motor capabilities i.e., the ability to see or touch things.
• Preoperational period (1-7 years) – Child learns language skills. They are egocentric and incapable of seeing the world outside of themselves at this stage.
• Concrete Operational Period (8-11 years)- The child can perform complex but abstract cognitive operations
• Formal Operations (12-18 years) – The child can think and respond in abstract ways.

• Kohlberg’s Moral Development Stages by Lawrence Kohlberg

The theorist took a moral approach to development. He believed children developed through the pre-conventional stage, the conventional stage, and the post-conventional stage. During the preconventional stage, the child learns to regulate their behaviors and avoid punishment. They understand the relationship being oriented toward rules and discipline. The conventional period is characterized by a child’s desire to be good. The child will attempt to contribute to their family’s needs by doing chores despite personal discomfort. During this stage, the child makes moral judgments based on their internal values instead of societal rules.

1. Psychosexual Stages by Sigmund Freud

Freud believed that infants meet their needs during their first year of life through oral gratification. They explore the world through the mouth, and they are all ID (ego-centered) at this stage. Next, the child moves to the anal stage, which coincides with potty training and mobility. The child learns about controlling some urges at this stage as their ego grows. The child moves to the phallic stage (3-5 years), where they get sexually attracted to the parent of the opposite sex. Next, the child moves to the middle childhood (6-11) stage, where they shift attention from family to friendships. The child gains confidence if they can create friendships at this age. In contrast, they may become lonely or shy in adulthood if they fail to form friendships at this stage. In the genital stage, the adolescent is preoccupied with sex and reproduction.

1. Attachment Theory by John Bowlby

Bowlby believed that children grow with an innate desire to form attachments, which is integral to their survival. These attachments also form the basis for behavioral and motivational patterns.

References

Council, R., & Kipke, M. D. (2013). Changes in the Study of Adolescent Development. National Academies Press (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK224702/

Daum, M. M., & Manfredi, M. (2021, July 14). The History of Developmental Psychology. ResearchGate. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/s2ckp

McHenry, B., & Brooks, F. (2015). A contemporary approach to substance use disorders and

addiction counseling. John Wiley & Sons.

To get your original copy of this completed paper, please Order Now