Last Minute Lecture

Major Theories of Human Development — Summary of Chapter 2 from The Developing Person Through the Life Span How do we explain human growth, personality, and behavior across the lifespan? Chapter 2 of Kathleen Stassen Berger’s The Developing Person Through the Life Span introduces students to the most influential developmental theories in psychology. This chapter breaks down how leading thinkers like Freud, Erikson, Piaget, Vygotsky, and Skinner interpreted the complex journey of human development. Watch the video above for an audio summary of each theory, or read below for a structured guide to the foundational ideas shaping developmental psychology. Psychodynamic Theory: Freud and Erikson Sigmund Freud proposed that development occurs through a series of psychosexual stages , where unconscious desires and conflicts shape personality. Each stage focuses on different erogenous zones and unresolved conflicts that influence adult behavior. Erik Erikson extended Freud’s ide...

What Is Human Development? A Summary of Chapter 1 from The Developing Person Through the Life Span Human development is a lifelong journey influenced by biology, environment, and culture. Chapter 1 of Kathleen Stassen Berger’s textbook, The Developing Person Through the Life Span , lays the foundation for understanding this complex field of psychology. Whether you're prepping for an exam or looking to grasp the basics of developmental psychology, this summary offers a clear and accessible overview. Watch the full podcast-style breakdown above or read on for a comprehensive review of key concepts and terminology that form the backbone of human development studies. Defining Human Development Human development refers to the scientific study of how and why people grow, change, or remain the same over time. This discipline seeks to understand physical, cognitive, emotional, and social transformations across the entire lifespan. The goal is not only to observe these patterns ...

Theories Behind Abnormal Child Psychology — Chapter 2 Summary from Mash & Wolfe What causes mental health issues in children? Is it nature, nurture, or both? In Chapter 2 of Child Psychopathology by Eric J. Mash and David A. Wolfe, we explore the complex theoretical models that guide our understanding of abnormal psychological development in childhood and adolescence. Developmental Psychopathology: A Holistic Framework The chapter begins by introducing developmental psychopathology — a framework emphasizing that psychological disorders emerge through complex, interactive processes over time. Rather than isolating a single cause, this approach considers how biological, psychological, and environmental factors combine and evolve throughout development. Key Theoretical Models Explained Multiple Determination: Abnormal behaviors result from multiple causes, including genetic predispositions, early caregiving, family environment, and societal influences. Transaction...