Understanding Stages in Developmental Psychology

Understanding Stages in Developmental Psychology Theories Developmental Psychology Print Developmental Psychology By Kendra Cherry facebook twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial policy Kendra Cherry Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on August 13, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on August 13, 2019 More in Theories Developmental Psychology Behavioral Psychology Cognitive Psychology Personality Psychology Social Psychology Biological Psychology Psychosocial Psychology In This Article Table of Contents Expand Overview Developmental Psychology Theories Developmental Psychologists Developmental Stages Developmental Disorder Diagnosis View All Back To Top People go through many changes over the course of their lives. Development describes the growth of humans throughout their lifespan, from conception to death. Psychologists strive to understand and explain how and why people change throughout life. While many of these changes are normal and expected, they can still pose challenges that people sometimes need extra assistance to manage. By understanding the process of normative development, professionals are better able to spot potential problems and provide early interventions that can result in better outcomes. Developmental psychologists can work with people of all ages to treat issues and support growth, although some choose to specialize in a specific area such as childhood, adulthood, or old age. What Is Developmental Psychology? Developmental psychology is the branch of psychology that focuses on how people grow and change over the course of a lifetime. Those who specialize in this field are not just concerned with the physical changes that occur as people grow; they also look at the social, emotional, and cognitive development that occurs throughout life. Some of the many issues that developmental psychologists may help patients deal with include: motor skill developmentlanguage acquisitionemotional developmentthe emergence of self-awareness and self-conceptcognitive development during childhood and throughout lifesocial and cultural influences on child developmentpersonality developmentmoral reasoningdevelopmental challenges and learning disabilities These professionals spend a great deal of time investigating and observing how these processes occur under normal circumstances, but they are also interested in learning about things that can disrupt developmental processes. By better understanding how and why people change and grow, developmental psychologists can help people live up to their full potential. Understanding the course of normal human development and recognizing potential problems early on is important, because untreated developmental problems may lead to difficulties with depression, low self-esteem, frustration, and low achievement in school. Developmental Psychology Theories Developmental psychologists often utilize a number of theories to think about different aspects of human development. For example, a psychologist assessing intellectual development in a child might consider Piagets theory of cognitive development, which outlined the key stages that children go through as they learn. A psychologist working with a child might also want to consider how the childs relationships with caregivers influences his or her behaviors, and so turn to Bowlbys theory of attachment. Psychologists are also interested in looking at how social relationships influence the development of both children and adults. Eriksons theory of psychosocial development and Vygotskys theory of sociocultural development are two popular theoretical frameworks that address the social influences on the developmental process. Each approach tends to stress different aspects of development such as mental, social, or parental influences on how children grow and progress. When You (or Your Child) Might Need a Developmental Psychologist While development tends to follow a fairly predictable pattern, there are times when things might go off course. Parents often focus on what are known as developmental milestones, which represent abilities that most children tend to display by a certain point in development. These typically focus on one of four different areas: physical, cognitive, social/emotional, and communication. For example, walking is one physical milestone that most children achieve sometime between the ages of 9 and 15 months. If a child is not walking or attempting to walk by 16 to 18 months, parents might consider consulting with their family physician to determine if a developmental issue might be present. While all children develop at different rates, when a child fails to meet certain milestones by a certain age, there may be cause for concern. By being aware of these milestones, parents can seek assistance and healthcare professionals can offer interventions that can help kids overcome developmental delays. These professionals often evaluate children to determine if a developmental delay might be present, or they might work with elderly patients who are facing health concerns associated with old age such as cognitive declines, physical struggles, emotional difficulties, or degenerative brain disorders. Developmental psychologists can provide support to individuals at all points of life who may be facing developmental issues or problems related to aging. Concerns at Different Stages of Development As you might imagine, developmental psychologists often break down development according to various phases of life. Each of these periods of development represents a time when different milestones are typically achieved. People may face particular challenges at each point, and developmental psychologists can often help people who might be struggling with problems to get back on track. Prenatal: The prenatal period is of interest to developmental psychologists who seek to understand how the earliest influences on development can impact later growth during childhood. Psychologists may look at how primary reflexes emerge before birth, how fetuses respond to stimuli in the womb and the sensations and perceptions that fetuses are capable of detecting prior to birth. Developmental psychologists may also look at potential problems such as Down syndrome, maternal drug use, and inherited diseases that might have an impact on the course of future development. Early Childhood: The period from infancy through early childhood is a time of remarkable growth and change. Developmental psychologists look at things such as the physical, cognitive, and emotional growth that takes place during this critical period of development. In addition to providing interventions for potential developmental problems at this point, psychologists are also focused on helping kids achieve their full potential. Parents and healthcare experts are often on the lookout to ensure that kids are growing properly, receiving adequate nutrition, and achieving cognitive milestones appropriate for their age. Middle Childhood: This period of development is marked by both physical maturation and the increased importance of social influences as children make their way through elementary school. Kids begin to make their mark on the world as they form friendships, gain competency through schoolwork, and continue to build their unique sense of self. Parents may seek the assistance of a developmental psychologist to help kids deal with potential problems that might arise at this age including social, emotional, and mental health issues. Adolescence: The teenage years are often the subject of considerable interest as children experience the psychological turmoil and transition that often accompanies this period of development. Psychologists such as Erik Erikson were especially interested in looking at how navigating this period leads to identity formation. At this age, kids often test limits and explore new identities as they explore the question of who they are and who they want to be. Developmental psychologists can help support teens as they deal with some of the challenging issues unique to the adolescent period including puberty, emotional turmoil, and social pressure. Early Adulthood: This period of life is often marked by forming and maintaining relationships. Forming bonds, intimacy, close friendships, and starting a family are often critical milestones during early adulthood. Those who can build and sustain such relationships tend to experience connectedness and social support while those who struggle with such relationships may be left feeling alienated and lonely. People facing such issues might seek the assistance of a developmental psychologist in order to build healthier relationships and combat emotional difficulties. Middle Adulthood: This stage of life tends to center on developing a sense of purpose and contributing to society. Erikson described this as the conflict between generativity and stagnation. Those who engage in the world, contribute things that will outlast them, and leave a mark on the next generation emerge with a sense of purpose. Activities such as careers, families, group memberships, and community involvement are all things that can contribute to this feeling of generativity. Old Age: The senior years are often viewed as a period of poor health, yet many older adults are capable of remaining active and busy well into their 80s and 90s. Increased health concerns mark this period of development, and some individuals may experience mental declines related to dementia. Erikson also viewed the elder years as a time of reflection back on life. Those who are able to look back and see a life well lived emerge with a sense of wisdom and readiness to face the end of their lives, while those who look back with regret may be left with feelings of bitterness and despair. Developmental psychologists may work with elderly patients to help them cope with issues related to the aging process. Diagnosis of a Developmental Issue To determine if a developmental problem is present, a psychologist or other highly trained professional may administer either a developmental screening or evaluation. For children, such an evaluation typically involves interviews with parents and other caregivers to learn about behaviors they may have observed, a review of a childs medical history, and standardized testing to measure functioning in terms of communication, social/emotional skills, physical/motor development, and cognitive skills. If a problem is found to be present, the patient may then be referred to a specialist such as a speech-language pathologist, physical therapist, or occupational therapist. A Word From Verywell Receiving a diagnosis of a developmental issue can often feel both confusing and frightening, particularly when it is your child who is affected. Once you or your loved one has received a diagnosis of a developmental issue, spend some time learning as much as you can about the diagnosis and available treatments. Prepare a list of questions and concerns you may have and discuss these issues with your doctor, developmental psychologist, and other healthcare professionals who may be part of the treatment team. By taking an active role in the process, you will feel better informed and equipped to tackle the next steps in the treatment process.