Discussion Post 1

Chantel Davis

Life Span Growth and Development

Prof. Shebly Tarrel

03/04/2021Discussion Post 1

Question 1. The theory that I find most useful while explaining my own development.

As a very social person, I tend to at times sit and look back trying to understand how I became the person I am today. After going through this class, I got the chance to understand that there are specific developmental theories that have an impact in our lives right from infancy. Erikson theory is the theory that I can utilize while explaining my development. Social interactions fuel the growth and the development of human beings. The most important components of the theory that is the great emphasis on conflicts and mastery. Both concepts are beneficial for development right from infancy.  From the theory where the first stage is on trust and mistrust, which grew from infancy. From the theory I understood that we got to obtain certain virtues like trust earlier on in life. the factors that influence the development of trust include having dependable caregivers who intentionally give their children the best and quality life. At that stage children depend on adults for the basic things including safety, love and nurturing. If the stage is correctly done, with the child obtaining their needs and quality of care then they will definitely have a reason to trust people and to feel safe around other individuals in the future. (Svetina, pg. 394)

From my personal experience, I got to understand that if we all develop trust as children then we shall feel safe and secure in the world. It is also an important element to carry along as we become adults and get the opportunity to raise children guiding them on the way they should go. Consistency and being predictable is an important virtue and a great possession that influences how we relate with other individuals. Going through the eight stages of Erikson’s theory, I got to understand that, there is an outcome for every stage. Every stage is significant in development and influences how we are going to relate with ourselves and those we interact with daily. Nurturing also is seen as an important aspect in our day to day lives. Every stage of life is important and fragile, there are specific skills and attributes that we should nurture for them to help us as we strive towards success. Nurturing entails taking care of the little things that we possess, from our minds, our bodies, children growing the skills and competencies involve nurturing and the results of nurturing is mastery. Mastery then leads to success which in the end translates to confidence and generally feeling important. (Darling-fisher, pg. 444).

Works Cited.

Darling-Fisher, Cynthia S. “Application of the modified Erikson psychosocial stage inventory: 25 years in review.” Western journal of nursing research 41.3 (2019): 431-458.

Schwartz, Seth J., et al. “Identity development, personality, and well‐being in adolescence and emerging adulthood: Theory, research, and recent advances.” Handbook of Psychology, Second Edition 6 (2012).

Svetina, Matija. “Resilience in the context of Erikson’s theory of human development.” Current Psychology 33.3 (2014): 393-404.