Human Development
...ence is established by three to four years of age, coordination improves, and children learn to dress themselves. They are only able to think in their own view, focus on one aspect of a problem of a time, and their short-term memory increases. The child around this time establishes gender identity and learns gender roles. Their social behavior is influenced by observational learning and is preceded by imitation. Erikson’s second theory for Early childhood is Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt. In this theory he explains children are having their behavior be regulated by their parents; and the child must begin personal responsibility by feeding, clothing, and bathing themselves. If all is handled properly and they receive it in a healthy manner he or she should feel a sense of self-sufficiency. However, if the parent does not give approval for the child’s efforts there will be conflicts between them. This may result in the child feeling a sense of personal shame and self-doubt. The third stage of human development is Middle childhood. Here the child is between six to twelve years of age. In this stage the girls begin their growth spurt, levels of pituitary activities increase, puberty begins at the end of the stage, and girls secondary sex characteristics begin to emerge. The child is able to focus on more than one feature of a problem at a time, and their long-term memory is increased with encoding strategies of rehearsal, and ability to reflect on use of language. Socially they have same-sex peer relationships, role-taking skills emerge, and aggression physically decreases and increases verbally. The third theme for Erikson’s theory for Middle childhood is Initiative versus Guilt. In this theory Erikson contends children take initiatives that go against their parent’s rules. Overcontrolling parents may instill feelings of guilt, and self-esteem may suffer, by these actions of the child. Erikson argues parents should let the child develop their independence while maintaining boundaries. So then they will be able to maintain their independence and respect for family members and the wishes of others. The fourth stage of human development is Adolescence which begins between the ages of twelve to twenty. Adolescence is the stage I am in at this point in my life. In this stage boys go through puberty by beginning growth spurts, secondary sex characteristics emerge, and hormones increase. The child’s deductive reasoning improves, problem solving becomes more methodical, and thoughts become more abstract and reflexive. Interaction with opposite-sex increases, dating begins, attention is devoted to identity formation. Adolescences also begin a reflection of their skills and abilities in regard to vocations and jobs. Erikson’s fourth theory on Human Development is Adolescence and the theme for this stage is Identity versus Confusion. Erikson argues that during adolescence there is a problem to have a clear sense of identity; this raises questions such as “Who am I, and where am I going in life?” Even though the search for identity begins before adolescence and continues after it tends to be especially intense during this stage. The fifth stage of human development is Young adulthood between the ages of twenty to forty. Physically reaction time and muscular strength peak, and maximum functioning of all body system begin in the beginning of the stage. Later in the stage external signs of aging begin and lowered metabolic rate contributes to increased body fat. Focus is mainly on intimate relationships, marriage partners, running a home, and starting a family. Also there is a greater emphasis on application and not so much on acquisition of knowledge. In Erikson’s fifth stage of his theory of Human development on Adolescence the main theory proposed is Intimacy versus Isolation. The main question here is “...