Child and Adolescents Development 1

CHILD AND ADOLESCENTS DEVELOPMENT 1
Child and Adolescents Development
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1. Discuss how the study of child and adolescent development has changed over time.
Over the last 2 decades, the adolescent developmental research-based has experienced an
upsurge in growth and the knowledge gained has improved considerably. Recent research
provides more detailed insights into the multiple facets of the adolescence period, new
perspectives into the process and pacing of puberty, and different viewpoints on behaviors
related to the other decade of life. At around the same time, the basic theoretical principles of the
field have grown as well as mature. The scholars focusing on Human development have
repeatedly recognized that the 2nd decade of life seems to be a period of drastic reform. It is a
process of accelerated cognitive production of endocrine (a hormone) shifts, growing intellectual
capacity, and physical development; emotional maturity, a time of growing self-sufficiency as
well as self-exploration, and productive involvement in a much more dynamic social
environment. Throughout most of this century, “adolescence” researchers and specialists
continued to conclude that biological forces determined nearly exclusively changes specific to
adolescence. Nevertheless, research is now developing a more objective perspective of
adolescence (Martorell et al., 2013, pp. 4-41). As, adolescence continues to be viewed as a
period of serious developmental problems, although there is general acceptance that biology
seems to be the only aspect that affects the development, adaptation, and behavior of young
people. Undoubtedly, there is growing evidence that people in the community, social
organizations, parents, and care providers can both promote healthier growth of adolescents and
engage successfully as problems occur.

2. Describe the five theoretical perspectives, including the major theorists associated with
each
It is especially essential to evaluate the five perspectives on which each theory is centered
on. Every theorist's point of view serves as a framework that establishes the basis of their
hypothesis and the reference comments for their analysis. Thus, in order to properly appreciate
the scope of the study that has been done, it is important that these theoretical viewpoints are
understood.
Psychoanalytic Perspective
The Perspective was established by Sigmund Freud and reflects on development centered
on unconscious influences. Freud claims that people have been born with inherent drives and are
highly driven to satisfy their desires. As a result, the development method was individual
learning the ways of satisfying these urges in an acceptable way with an acceptable period to do
so. Moreover, Freud was among the 1st psychologists to find significance in the development of
adolescence [CITATION Ado99 \l 1033 ]. He claimed that early adolescence experiences assisted in
shaping functions throughout adulthood. Personality was thus developed by unconscious
childhood clashes among civilized actions, lusts, urges, and desires. This belief had further
evolved into the phases of psychosexual development.
Learning Perspective
This perspective reflects on progress that relies on experience. The learning theorists
view development as a gradual process, and not in phases. Moreover, behaviorism, classical
conditioning, and operant conditioning were established inside this perspective. Physiologist,
Ivan Pavlov, was the one who examined the function of saliva throughout the dog's digestive
processes. During his tests, he observed a pattern of appropriate reactions to expected stimuli.
This mechanism eventually became recognized as "Classical Conditioning," where the stimulus
is applied to produce a reaction. Operating conditioning requires learning from the consequences
and modifying the actions accordingly. Similarly, another psychologist, B.F. Skinner was
specifically concerned with the study of behavioral stimulation using rats.
Cognitive Perspective
This perspective emphasizes specifically on the thinking process along with the
development of cognitive processes that constitute the behavior of a person. Jean Piaget was the
one who established the Theory of Cognitive Level, which focuses specifically on cognitive
growth in babies. This was assessed by the motor reflexes like feeling, illustrating boundaries, or
rooting. This perspective emphasizes mainly on the cognition and understanding of the setting
surrounding the person.
Contextual Perspective
This perspective seems to be interpreted in a social sense. As the perspective implies that
it is difficult to fully understand a person until they are examined in their natural setting.
Moreover, an American psychologist, Urie Bronfenbrenner outlined five degrees of
environmental variables in order to explain the complexity of childhood development.
Evolutionary/ Sociobiological perspective
This perspective emphasizes the biological foundations of behavior and is explicitly
influenced by Darwin and particularly his "theory of evolution". Darwin assumes that species
evolve by natural variation and "survival of the fittest." Thus, those with adaptable traits will
move them on while the ones who are less able to adapt will eventually die.
References
Hoffnung, R. J., & Seifert, K. L. (1997). Child and adolescent development.
Martorell, G., Papalia, D. E., & Feldman, R. D. (2013). A Child’s World: Infancy through Adolescence (13th
ed).
National Research Council (US). (1999). Adolescent Development and the Biology of Puberty: Summary
of a Workshop on New Research. National Academy Press, 2101 Constitution Ave., NW,
Washington.

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CHILD AND ADOLESCENTS DEVELOPMENT 1

Child and Adolescents Development

Course Number: Course Name

process of accelerated cognitive production of endocrine (a hormone) shifts, growing intellectual

capacity, and physical development; emotional maturity, a time of growing self-sufficiency as

well as self-exploration, and productive involvement in a much more dynamic social

environment. Throughout most of this century, “adolescence” researchers and specialists

adolescence. Nevertheless, research is now developing a more objective perspective of

engage successfully as problems occur.

shaping functions throughout adulthood. Personality was thus developed by unconscious

evolved into the phases of psychosexual development.

specifically concerned with the study of behavioral stimulation using rats.

surrounding the person.

Moreover, an American psychologist, Urie Bronfenbrenner outlined five degrees of

environmental variables in order to explain the complexity of childhood development.

Evolutionary/ Sociobiological perspective

This perspective emphasizes the biological foundations of behavior and is explicitly

Hoffnung, R. J., & Seifert, K. L. (1997). Child and adolescent development.

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