Developmental Theories

1. Developmental Theories “The Transition to Adulthood”

2. Developmental Theories • Attempt to identify patterns of life and describe growth or changes in human behaviour as individuals mature • Look at either how people are the SAME, or how people are DIFFERENT • Analyze the behaviour of large groups of individuals over a long period of time • Some suggest development occurs in stages according to readiness, and some suggest the stages are age related. Still others, propose that growth and development occurs not in definite stages, but along a gradual continuum. • They all AGREE that behaviour results from inner psychological changes in response to life circumstances

3. “The 4 Clocks” Psychological Clock Social Clock Biological Clock Chronological Clock

4. Erik Erikson’s Eight Stages • He was the first psychologist to describe predictable stages of development • He depicted 8 stages in which an individual’s identity emerges and matures • Each stage presents a dilemma that challenges the person • By overcoming the dilemma, the individual acquires the basic skills needed to progress to the next stage

5. Erik Erikson • During adolescence the dilemma is “identity vs role confusion” • Resolution = FIDELITY • During early adulthood the dilemma is intimacy vs isolation • Resolution = LOVE • During adulthood the dilemma is generativity vs stagnation • Resolution = CARING

6. Jane Loevinger’s Ego Development • 10 stages in the formation of the ego • Ego= understanding of self • Full Ego development means have an “autonomous self” • Stages are determined by psychological clock • Adults are at a transitional “self aware level”, between the conformist stage and the conscientious stage

7. The Family Life Cycle Theory • Early adulthood is the stage when individuals are launched from the family of origin • 3 developmental tasks must be mastered 1) young adults must separate from the family of origin (individuation) 2) young adults must develop new intimate relationships 3) young adults must make their first commitment to a career

8. Daniel Levinson’s Seasons of Life • The “Era of Early Adulthood” lasts 25 years • The stages are AGE BASED • Early Adult Transition = 17-22 • Adolescents must change their attachment with parents, not necessarily physical separation

9. Daniel Levinson’s Seasons of Life • Entering the Adult World = 22-28 • 4 tasks of this stage • 1) form a “dream” and give it a place in life structure • 2) form mentor relationships • 3) form and occupation • 4) form love relationships, marriage and familyEntering the Adult World = 22-28 • Age 30 Transition = 28-33 • Individuals re-evaluate their life strucures and the “dream”

10. Klaus Riegel’s Theory • Looks at how individual internal and external changes can influence devepment (explains how people are different) • There are 4 interrelated internal and external dimensions of development • 1) individual/psychological • 2) individual/biological • 3) cultural/sociological • 4) environmental

11. Leonard Pearlin’s Theory of Psychological Distress • Transitions in adulthood are not a series of transitions from one stable change to another, but a lifetime of continuous change in which individuals may experience periods of stability • 4 Elements determine our path • 1) individual characteristics • 2) range of coping skills • 3) social support • 4) nature and timing of stress

12. Leonard Pearlin • People can change their life structure at any time • We are able to anticipate role changes because our society makes events predictable • Cohort effect – changes in behaviour result from socialized responses to common social clock, rather than from age-linked inner changes

13. Next Steps? • Which of these theories do you find most interesting or agree with the most? • Tomorrow you will be starting an assignment that requires you to do further research on one of these theories and find secondary sources; plus create a class handout. Are there any other relevant theories out there on adolescence and the transition to adulthood?