Posts

Showing posts with the label Erikson

Adolescent Identity, Mental Health, and Drug Use — Summary of Chapter 16 from The Developing Person

Image
Adolescent Identity, Mental Health, and Drug Use — Summary of Chapter 16 from The Developing Person Adolescence is not only a time of physical change but also of intense psychological and social transformation. Chapter 16 of The Developing Person Through the Life Span delves into psychosocial development, identity formation, interpersonal relationships, mental health challenges, and substance use among teenagers. This blog expands on the key theories and research explored in the chapter to help students and lifelong learners understand the complex factors shaping adolescent behavior and well-being. 🎥 Watch the video summary above for a podcast-style breakdown, and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more textbook chapter insights. Identity Formation in Adolescence Erik Erikson described adolescence as the stage of identity vs. role confusion , where teens grapple with the question, "Who am I?" Successful resolution results in identity achievement, while failur...

Social Development, Peer Dynamics, and Morality — Summary of Chapter 13 from The Developing Person Through the Life Span

Image
Social Development, Peer Dynamics, and Morality — Summary of Chapter 13 from The Developing Person Through the Life Span Between the ages of 6 and 11, children deepen their sense of self, strengthen social bonds, and begin forming moral frameworks. Chapter 13 of Kathleen Stassen Berger’s The Developing Person Through the Life Span explores how children’s development is shaped by family life, peer relationships, resilience, and moral reasoning. The chapter also covers influential theories from Erikson and Kohlberg, while highlighting how stress, income, and school environments contribute to a child’s social growth. Watch the full podcast summary above or continue reading for an in-depth guide to how middle childhood shapes social identity and moral understanding. The Nature of the Child Erikson’s Industry vs. Inferiority During middle childhood, children enter Erikson’s industry vs. inferiority stage. They strive to become competent and gain a realistic self-concept thr...

Emotional Development and Attachment in Infancy — Summary of Chapter 7 from The Developing Person Through the Life Span

Image
Emotional Development and Attachment in Infancy — Summary of Chapter 7 from The Developing Person Through the Life Span What makes a baby smile or cry? How do infants form lasting emotional bonds? Chapter 7 of Kathleen Stassen Berger’s The Developing Person Through the Life Span explores the social and emotional growth that occurs during the first two years of life. From early emotional reactions to complex attachments and the influence of caregivers, this chapter uncovers how the foundations of personality and relationships are formed. Watch the full podcast-style summary above or keep reading to understand how nature, nurture, and interaction shape emotional development and social bonds during infancy. Early Emotional Development From Reflexes to Feelings Newborns express basic states such as distress and contentment . By six weeks, social smiles appear, followed by laughter around three months. By six months, emotions like anger (from frustration) and sadness (of...

Major Theories of Human Development — Summary of Chapter 2 from The Developing Person Through the Life Span

Image
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...