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Stages of Human Development

stage of human development by jean piaget

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18 views3 pages

Stages of Human Development

stage of human development by jean piaget

Uploaded by

lykapuno3
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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What Are the Eight Stages of Human Development?

If human development is the study of how people change throughout their lives, how and when does
this development happen? Many scientists and psychologists have studied various aspects of human
development, including ego psychologist Erik Erikson. He examined the impact of social experiences
throughout an individual’s life and theorized that psychosocial development happens in eight sequential
parts. What are the eight stages of human development?

Stage 1 — Infancy: Trust vs. Mistrust


In the first stage of human development, infants learn to trust based on how well their caregivers meet
their basic needs and respond when they cry. If an infant cry out to be fed, the parent can either meet
this need by feeding and comforting the infant or not meet this need by ignoring the infant. When their
needs are met, infants learn that relying on others is safe; when their needs go unmet, infants grow up
to be less trusting.

Stage 2 — Toddlerhood: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt


In addition to autonomy versus shame and doubt, another way to think of the second stage is
independence versus dependence. Like in the first stage, toddlers go through this stage responding to
their caregivers. If caregivers encourage them to be independent and explore the world on their own,
toddlers will grow up with a sense of self-efficacy. If the caregivers hover excessively or encourage
dependence, these toddlers grow up with less confidence in their abilities.

For example, if a toddler wants to walk without assistance in a safe area, the caregiver should
encourage this autonomy by allowing the independent behavior. If the caregiver insists on holding the
toddler’s hand even when it’s not necessary, this attention can lead to doubt later in life.

Stage 3 — Preschool Years: Initiative vs. Guilt


During the preschool years, children learn to assert themselves and speak up when they need
something. Some children may state that they’re sad because a friend stole their toy. If this
assertiveness is greeted with a positive reaction, they learn that taking initiative is helpful behavior.
However, if they’re made to feel guilty or ashamed for their assertiveness, they may grow up to be timid
and less likely to take the lead.

Stage 4 — Early School Years: Industry vs. Inferiority


When children begin school, they start to compare themselves with peers. If children feel they’re
accomplished in relation to peers, they develop strong self-esteem. If, however, they notice that other
children have met milestones that they haven’t, they may struggle with self-esteem. For example, a first
grader may notice a consistently worse performance on spelling tests when compared with peers. If
this becomes a pattern, it can lead to feelings of inferiority.
The key components of Erikson’s model of human development include stage one, infancy, trust versus
mistrust; stage two, toddlerhood, autonomy versus shame and doubt; stage three, preschool years,
initiative versus guilt; stage four, early school years, industry versus inferiority; stage five, adolescence,
identity versus role confusion; stage six, young adulthood, intimacy versus isolation; stage seven,
middle adulthood, generativity versus stagnation; and stage eight, late adulthood, integrity versus
despair.

Stage 5 — Adolescence: Identity vs. Role Confusion


The adolescent stage is where the term “identity crisis” originated, and for good reason. Adolescence
is all about developing a sense of self. Adolescents who can clearly identify who they are grow up with
stronger goals and self-knowledge than teenagers who struggle to break free of their parents’ or friends’
influences. Adolescents who still deeply depend on their parents for social interaction and guidance
may experience more role confusion than teenagers who pursue their own interests.

Stage 6 — Young Adulthood: Intimacy vs. Isolation


In young adulthood, which begins roughly at age 20, people begin to solidify their lifelong bonds; many
people enter committed relationships or marriages, while others form lifelong friendships. People who
can create and maintain these relationships reap the emotional benefits, while those who struggle to
maintain relationships may suffer from isolation. A young adult who develops strong friendships in
college may feel more intimacy than one who struggles to form and maintain close friendships.
Stage 7 — Middle Adulthood: Generativity vs. Stagnation
In middle adulthood, people tend to struggle with their contributions to society. They may be busy
raising children or pursuing careers. Those who feel that they’re contributing experience generativity,
which is the sense of leaving a legacy. On the other hand, those who don’t feel that their work or lives
matter may experience feelings of stagnation. For example, a middle-aged adult who’s raising a family
and working in a career that presumably helps people may feel more fulfilled than an adult who’s
working at a day job that feels meaningless.

Stage 8 — Late Adulthood: Integrity vs. Despair


As adults reach the end of life, they look back on their lives and reflect. Adults who feel fulfilled by their
lives, either through a successful family or a meaningful career, reach ego integrity, in which they can
face aging and dying with peace. If older adults don’t feel that they’ve lived a good life, they risk falling
into despair.

REFERENCE: https://online.maryville.edu/online-bachelors-degrees/human-development-and-family-
studies/resources/stages-of-human-development/

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