Developmental TheoriesDevelopmental Theories

““The Transition to Adulthood”The Transition to Adulthood”

Developmental TheoriesDevelopmental Theories Attempt to identify patterns of life and describe growth or Attempt to identify patterns of life and describe growth or

changes in human behaviour as individuals maturechanges in human behaviour as individuals mature Look at either how people are the SAME, or how people are Look at either how people are the SAME, or how people are

DIFFERENTDIFFERENT Analyze the behaviour of large groups of individuals over a Analyze the behaviour of large groups of individuals over a

long period of timelong period of time Some suggest development occurs in stages according to Some suggest development occurs in stages according to

readiness, and some suggest the stages are age related. Still readiness, and some suggest the stages are age related. Still others, propose that growth and development occurs not in others, propose that growth and development occurs not in definite stages, but along a gradual continuum.definite stages, but along a gradual continuum.

They all AGREE that behaviour results from inner They all AGREE that behaviour results from inner psychological changes in response to life circumstancespsychological changes in response to life circumstances

““The 4 Clocks”The 4 Clocks”

Psychological Clock

Social Clock

Biological Clock

Chronological Clock

Erik Erikson’s Eight StagesErik Erikson’s Eight Stages

He was the first psychologist to describe He was the first psychologist to describe predictable stages of developmentpredictable stages of development

He depicted 8 stages in which an individual’s He depicted 8 stages in which an individual’s identity emerges and maturesidentity emerges and matures

Each stage presents a dilemma that challenges Each stage presents a dilemma that challenges the personthe person

By overcoming the dilemma, the individual By overcoming the dilemma, the individual acquires the basic skills needed to progress to acquires the basic skills needed to progress to the next stagethe next stage

Erik EriksonErik Erikson

During adolescence the dilemma is “During adolescence the dilemma is “identity vs role identity vs role confusion” confusion”

Resolution = FIDELITYResolution = FIDELITY During early adulthood the dilemma is During early adulthood the dilemma is intimacy vs intimacy vs

isolationisolation Resolution = LOVEResolution = LOVE During adulthood the dilemma is During adulthood the dilemma is generativity vs generativity vs

stagnationstagnation Resolution = CARINGResolution = CARING

Jane Loevinger’s Ego DevelopmentJane Loevinger’s Ego Development

10 stages in the formation of the ego10 stages in the formation of the ego Ego= understanding of selfEgo= understanding of self

Full Ego development means have an Full Ego development means have an “autonomous self”“autonomous self”

Stages are determined by psychological clock Stages are determined by psychological clock Adults are at a transitional “self aware level”, Adults are at a transitional “self aware level”,

between the conformist stage and the between the conformist stage and the conscientious stageconscientious stage

The Family Life Cycle TheoryThe Family Life Cycle Theory

Early adulthood is the stage when individuals are Early adulthood is the stage when individuals are launched from the family of originlaunched from the family of origin

3 developmental tasks must be mastered3 developmental tasks must be mastered

1) young adults must separate from the family 1) young adults must separate from the family of origin (individuation)of origin (individuation)

2) young adults must develop new intimate 2) young adults must develop new intimate relationshipsrelationships

3) young adults must make their first 3) young adults must make their first commitment to a careercommitment to a career

Daniel Levinson’s Seasons of LifeDaniel Levinson’s Seasons of Life

The “Era of Early Adulthood” lasts 25 years The “Era of Early Adulthood” lasts 25 years The stages are AGE BASEDThe stages are AGE BASED Early Adult Transition = 17-22 Early Adult Transition = 17-22

Adolescents must change their attachment with Adolescents must change their attachment with parents, not necessarily physical separationparents, not necessarily physical separation

Daniel Levinson’s Seasons of LifeDaniel Levinson’s Seasons of Life

Entering the Adult World = 22-28Entering the Adult World = 22-28 4 tasks of this stage4 tasks of this stage

1) form a “dream” and give it a place in life structure1) form a “dream” and give it a place in life structure 2) form mentor relationships2) form mentor relationships 3) form and occupation3) form and occupation 4) form love relationships, marriage and familyEntering the Adult 4) form love relationships, marriage and familyEntering the Adult

World = 22-28World = 22-28

Age 30 Transition = 28-33Age 30 Transition = 28-33 Individuals re-evaluate their life strucures and the “dream”Individuals re-evaluate their life strucures and the “dream”

Klaus Riegel’s TheoryKlaus Riegel’s Theory

Looks at how individual internal and external Looks at how individual internal and external changes can influence devepment (explains how changes can influence devepment (explains how people are different)people are different)

There are 4 interrelated internal and external There are 4 interrelated internal and external dimensions of developmentdimensions of development 1) individual/psychological1) individual/psychological 2) individual/biological2) individual/biological 3) cultural/sociological3) cultural/sociological 4) environmental 4) environmental

Leonard Pearlin’s Theory of Leonard Pearlin’s Theory of Psychological DistressPsychological Distress

Transitions in adulthood are not a series of transitions Transitions in adulthood are not a series of transitions from one stable change to another, but a lifetime of from one stable change to another, but a lifetime of continuous change in which individuals may continuous change in which individuals may experience periods of stabilityexperience periods of stability

4 Elements determine our path4 Elements determine our path 1) individual characteristics1) individual characteristics 2) range of coping skills2) range of coping skills 3) social support3) social support 4) nature and timing of stress4) nature and timing of stress

Leonard PearlinLeonard Pearlin

People can change their life structure at any People can change their life structure at any timetime

We are able to anticipate role changes because We are able to anticipate role changes because our society makes events predictableour society makes events predictable

Cohort effect – changes in behaviour result Cohort effect – changes in behaviour result from socialized responses to common social from socialized responses to common social clock, rather than from age-linked inner clock, rather than from age-linked inner changeschanges

Next Steps?Next Steps?

Which of these theories do you find most Which of these theories do you find most interesting or agree with the most?interesting or agree with the most?

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