Comparing and Applying Theories of Development
Comparing and Applying Theories of Development
Psychology is a very vast field of scientific study of the human mind and behaviors. Just like all science, psychology uses the scientific method approach and use theories to promote their objective thoughts. There are numerous theories associated with psychology within various perspectives of sub-fields. A particular sub-field is Developmental Psychology and three of those theories include Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory, Erik Erickson’s Psychosocial Development Theory, and Jean Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory. Let’s take a look at all three and compare some of their similarities, as well as a few differences and then we can look at how these and other theories are used to analyze and evaluate the development of a child.
Sigmund Freud was a pioneer of his field. His Psychoanalytic theory was the first theory of modern psychology. Although some of Freud’s ideas have been discarded, most of them still influence the world of psychology today. According to Freud, human development is shaped by unconscious forces that motivate human behavior (Paplia & Olds, et al, 2006). Our awareness of the world around us is stored in our conscious mind; and our unconscious mind stores painful repressed memories, urges, feelings, or thoughts which is difficult to access.
Freud believed that personalities consist of three parts: the id, the ego, and the superego. The id dwells in the unconscious part of our mind and is responsible for our pleasure principle. The superego also dwells mostly in the unconscious mind and is accountable for our knowledge of right and wrong. Accountable for our reality pleasure is our ego, which is located in our conscious mind and is what we use to mediate our deepest selfish desires with the outside world. “According to Freud, an individual’s behavior is a result of all three interacting with one another, working together as a team under the leadership of the ego.”
Psychology is a very vast field of scientific study of the human mind and behaviors. Just like all science, psychology uses the scientific method approach and use theories to promote their objective thoughts. There are numerous theories associated with psychology within various perspectives of sub-fields. A particular sub-field is Developmental Psychology and three of those theories include Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory, Erik Erickson’s Psychosocial Development Theory, and Jean Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory. Let’s take a look at all three and compare some of their similarities, as well as a few differences and then we can look at how these and other theories are used to analyze and evaluate the development of a child.
Sigmund Freud was a pioneer of his field. His Psychoanalytic theory was the first theory of modern psychology. Although some of Freud’s ideas have been discarded, most of them still influence the world of psychology today. According to Freud, human development is shaped by unconscious forces that motivate human behavior (Paplia & Olds, et al, 2006). Our awareness of the world around us is stored in our conscious mind; and our unconscious mind stores painful repressed memories, urges, feelings, or thoughts which is difficult to access.
Freud believed that personalities consist of three parts: the id, the ego, and the superego. The id dwells in the unconscious part of our mind and is responsible for our pleasure principle. The superego also dwells mostly in the unconscious mind and is accountable for our knowledge of right and wrong. Accountable for our reality pleasure is our ego, which is located in our conscious mind and is what we use to mediate our deepest selfish desires with the outside world. “According to Freud, an individual’s behavior is a result of all three interacting with one another, working together as a team under the leadership of the ego.”
References: Mitchell, P. (1992) The Psychology of Childhood. Location: Routledge Papalia, D. E., Olds, S. W., & Feldman, R. D. (2006). A Child 's World: Infancy Through Adolescence (10th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill. Roeckelein, J. E. (1998). Dictionary of Theories, Laws & Concepts in Psychology. Publisher: Greenwood Press Witt, G.A., & Mossler, R.A. (2010) Adult Development and Life Assessment. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/books/ AUPSY202.10.1/sections/ch2