There are quite a few theoreticalperspectives when talking about lifespan development which include thepsychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, contextual, and evolutionaryperspectives (13). Although all six perspectives make great points aboutlifespan development, I think psychodynamic and humanistic may make the mosteffective points. This theory includes Freud’s psychoanalytic theory andErikson’s psychosocial theory. Freud’s psychoanalytic theory basically statesthat people have three different aspect to their personality. They are id, ego,and superego.
Id is the part of personality that is present right at birth. Itis the hunger, sex, aggression, and irrational impulses. The ego is the meanbetween society and the id in which it helps the person fit into society.Lastly, superego is a person’s conscience between what is right and wrong (14).
Erikson’s psychosocial theory states that developmental change occurs as weinteract and start to understand other members of the society (15). Combined,the theories basically state that childhood helps shape a person’s personality.I definitely agree with this theory because people are generally the mostsensitive as they’re growing up and it is also a time they’re most susceptibleto bullying and peer pressure. It is also quite possible for kids to forgetevents that took place if it happened while they were too young or if they weretoo tragic. It could explain personal problems some people face as they grow upsuch as why it’s harder for some than others to keep a relationship. Also, ifreferencing Erikson, a person’s childhood is a time that is especiallyimportant for kids to learn right from wrong and to learn compassion.
This isprobably most easily achieved through exposure to many other kids and throughdiscipline. I think this concept is equally as important when kids go throughpuberty since that is another sensitive time in everyone’s life.On the contrary, the humanisticperspective frays from the unconscious mind and goes into the conscious mind.It states that people are responsible for their own decisions and behavior asthey grow up. This perspective emphasizes free will and the desire of humans toreach their full potential. It is up to each individual if they want to changecertain aspects of their lives and if they’re willing to take the necessarysteps to move onto the next level in their life (21). Surprisingly, thisperspective does not have a major impact on lifespan development.
It statesthat there is no developmental change that result from increasing age or experience.However, I strongly disagree. For example, most people are about 17-18 whenthey graduate high school. From there, everyone makes their own decision as towhether they want to go to college or not. People either go straight intoworking full time jobs or being full time students with part time jobs.However, skipping college doesn’t mean people no longer can achieve theirhighest potential. They just reach the next step at different paces.
