Lifespan development has been viewed from six major theoretical perspectives: ps

Question

Lifespan development has been viewed from six major theoretical perspectives: psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, contextual, and evolutionary perspectives. Each emphasizes somewhat different aspects of development and steers developmentalists in particular directions. 1- Psychodynamic- Propelled by Freud and Erikson and the thought is that behavior throughout life is motivated by inner, unconscious forces that come from childhood, which we have little control over. 2- Behavioral- (John B. Watson, B.F. Skinner, & Albert Bandura) From this perspective development can be understood through studying observable behavior and environmental stimuli. 3- Cognitive- (Jean Piaget) This perspective places emphasis on how changes or growth in the ways people know, understand, and think about the world affect behavior. 4- Humanistic- (Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow) Behavior is chosen through free will and motivated by our natural capacity to strive to reach our full potential. 5- Contextual- (Urie Bronfenbrenner, Lev Vygotsky) Development should be viewed in terms of the interrelationship of a person’s physical, cognitive, personality, and social worlds. 6- Evolutionary- (Influenced by the work of Darwin, and Konrad Lorenz) Behavior is the result of genetic inheritance from our ancestors; traits and behavior that are adaptive for promoting the survival of our species have been inherited through natural selection. Feldman, Robert S. “Chapter 1 Introduction: Module 1.2 Theoretical Perspectives on Lifespan Development.” Discovering The Life Span, 3rd ed., Pearson, 2015, pp. 12–24. Table 1-3 In terms of me personally, I would align myself with the humanistic perspective. When I was younger no way would I have thought this, but through my own life experience I have learned that my behavior and actions were chosen by my own free will, no one coerced me into making mistakes that I made, bad decisions, or the way I acted. Fast forward, now having more “time” under my belt the behavior in which I conduct myself is still chosen by free will and my own personal desire to finally reach my own potential.

IN 5-6 LINES WHAT DO YOU AGREED OR HOW WOULD COMMENT ON THIS PASSAGE?

Explanation / Answer

I would certainly agree with this statement in a Western context, which is based on individualistic society. People are free to choose their major college, life partners and career choices. Not even the parents have the right to force someone to do something against their will. Almost all the western world is thriving on free will.

When answering from the Eastern and Islamic countries’ point of view, society, parents, relatives and friends influence one’s life and decisions to a great extent till one’s death. People will be forced to study certain subjects that their children do not want to study, force someone to marry another without their consent because of societal pressure etc.

All the psychological theories were written by the Western Psychologists having Western World in mind. So, these theories may not hold water to the Eastern and Islamic Countries.

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