A Thematic Analysis on Lifespan Development of a Couple

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A Thematic Analysis on Lifespan Development of a Couple

WITH REAL LIFE EXPERIENCES OF A COUPLE

The aim of this research is to explore a married couple’s real life

experiences and the possible influences that affect their life

development. A qualitative thematic analysis was carried out on

pre-existing material of three semi-structured interviews and a

video. Two main themes were identified : Various Influences and

Changeable. This analysis showed support for some research done

regarding Erikson’s development stages, Peck’s contribution on later

life, developmental contextualism and Bronfenbrenner’s theory. The

findings suggest that life development is multi-facet. A reflexive

analysis reviews some limitation on this analysis and recommendations

are also made.

INTRODUCTION

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Lifespan development is the one among different psychological

perspectives. Psychologists are of different views on human

development. Some of them split human development into different

stages, some of them focus on the people’s later development, some are

optimistic but some not, and some opined that our development are

deterministic but also some do not think so.

Erik Erikson has developed a theory named as Psychosocial in which he

stated that there would be eight development stages from birth to

later adulthood within our life. (Cooper & Roth, 2002). The theory

emphasised that our development is a product of the interaction

between the society and individual; and our parents seems to play a

key role in our early life. Erikson argued that everyone must develop

throughout these eight stages.

While treating later ...

... middle of paper ...

...ay not what

exactly I think due to cultural influence.

Therefore, in future studies, I would recommend that there is no

pre-existing relationship between the interviewers and the

interviewees. Videotaped interview is considered appropriate, but the

crew members should be released, because I consider they will affect

the interviewees’ emotion. To reflect the content more precisely, it

is also suggest that the studies should be done by native students,

such arrangement could lower the cultural difference.

ReferenceS

Miell, D., Phoenix, A., and Thomas, K. (2002).

Mapping Psychology 1 (Book 1). Milton Keynes : The Open University

Press

Cooper, T., and Roth, I. (2002).

Challenging Psychological Issues. Milton Keynes : The Open University

Press

Methods Booklet 5. The Open University Press

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