QUESTIONS TO BE ADDRESSED:
1. INFANCY When is infancy? According to Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development, what stage of psychosocial development correspond with infancy? What is the psychosocial task (sometimes referred to as “crisis”) that infants must work through during this stage of Erikson’s Theory? Explain the connection between this task and what you learned this week about “attachment.” Share one personal observation about an infant’s psychosocial development (this can be from your own infancy or from an infant you’ve known) and connect it to Erikson’s theory and what you’ve learned about attachment.
2. CHILDHOOD When is childhood? According to Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development, what stages of cognitive development corresponds to childhood? What are the important cognitive abilities that develop during these stages? Share one personal observation about a child’s cognitive development and connect it to Piaget’s theory.
3. ADOLESCENCE When is adolescence? What significant changes occur in physical development during this stage? How do these physical changes impact an adolescent’s cognitive development? How do these physical changes impact an adolescent’s psychosocial development? Share one personal observation about an adolescent’s physical development (again, of your own or someone you know).
4. EMERGING ADULTHOOD Your textbook explains that development psychologists have recently become interested in the transitional stage known as “emerging adulthood,” which takes place between adolescence and adulthood. After completing the supplemental reading about Emerging Adulthood that was included in D2L, briefly summarize what you consider to be the most important challenges that occur during this stage. Which domain of development do you consider to be most significant during emerging adulthood? Why? Share a personal example to support your position.