Lifespan Perspective Essay

The view of development known as the lifespan perspective is characterized as lifelong, multidirectional, multidimensional, and plastic. The study of the lifespan perspective as a developmental science is multidisciplinary in that it is studied by psychologists, sociologists, anthropologists, neuroscientists, and medical researchers. The lifespan perspective is also contextual dependent upon normative age-graded, normative history graded, and non-normative life events. Biology, culture, and the individual are all key factors in shaping one’s development.

Throughout the lifespan, developmental processes that are biological (genetics), cognitive (thought processes), and socioemotional (life experiences) take place. These processes occur over

Different developmental theories are used to describe the process of development. The psychoanalytic theory focuses on the unconscious mind. Freud posited that development occurs in five stages throughout childhood and how we learn to resolve conflicts within those stages determines one’s ability to thrive in adulthood. Alternatively, Erikson believed that development is a psychosocial process that occurs over eight stages in which crises occurs that increase both one’s vulnerability and enhanced potential. In contrast, cognitive theories focus on conscious thoughts. Piaget explained child development as occurring in four stages (sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational) that shape their worldview and Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory placed emphasis on culture and social interactions as they relate to learning processes. Similarly, the Information-Processing theory suggests that individuals analyze their learning experiences as a means to acquire further complex skills. The behavioral theories of Skinner focus on punishment and rewards and the ecological theories of Bowly describe behavior as a biological component. The eclectic theoretical orientation utilizes the most effective elements of all