Human Development in the LIfe Cycle

Development Theories - the philosophical assumptions upon which Personality Development Theorires are based have been the subject of much debate by historical and modern theorists. The philosophical assumptions inlcude:

- Freedom v. Determinism: individuals have control over their behavior v. behavior is controlled by forces outside an individuals control 

- Nature v. Nurture: behavior is attributed to genetics and biology v. behavior is the result of the effect of the envirionment 

- Uniqueness v. Universality: each individual is unique v. individuals are basically similar in nature 

- Active v. Reactive: individuals act through their own initiative v. individuals react to outside stimuli 

- Optimistic v. Pessimistic: individuals can change their personality v. individuals are doomed to remain the same 

- Physiological v. Purposive Motivation: individuals are pushed by their physicological needs for water, food and sexual activity v. indviduals are pulled by their purposes, goals, values, beliefs and attitudes 

- Conscious v. Unconscious Motivation: individuals are aware of their motivation to act v. individuals are not aware of their motivation to act 

- Stage v. Non-stage Theory: individuals go through predetermined stages of development v. individuals do not go through predetermined stages of development 

- Cultural Determination v. Cultural Transcendence: individuals are molded by their culture v. individuals are not determined by their culture 

- Early or Late Personality Formation: individuals develop their personalities early in life and remain relatively fixed throughout the lifespan v. individuals continue to develop their personalitites late in life or througout their lifespan

Psychodynamic Theories

> Psychodynamic theories emphasize the role of childhood experiences on psychosocial development

> Psychodynamic theory is the interaction between conscious and unconscious mental and emotional processes as they relate to personality and behavior

Psychoanalytic Theory:

Structural Theory of Personality Development (Freud)

is a psychoanalytic theory and consists of the Id, Ego and Superego

> The Id is the most primitive portion of the personality. It consists of basic instinctual drives, the most basic of which is sexual (libido). The Id requires immediate gratificaiton. Children are born only with the Id portion of ther personalities and are only able to focus on the immediate fulfillment of their most basic needs (hunger, thirst). The Id follows the Pleasure Principle; it only acts to seek pleasure and avoid pain.

> As the Ego develops, a child's need for immediate gratification and fullfilment is delayed. The Ego is the rational and executive portion of the personality. It mediates between the demands of the individual and the often conflicting demands of the environment. As the Ego develops, the Reality Principle emerges allowing the child to recognize that his or her desire for immeidate gratification must be compromised for the realities of the environment.

> The Superego is the most sophisticated protion ofthe personality. It is the part of the personlaity tht allows individuals to act ont only out of need, but to consider the moral and ethical aspects of their behaviors as well. There are two aspects of the Superego:

(1) Conscience - contains the "should nots"

(2) Ego Ideal - contains the "shoulds"

> In a mentally healthy individual, the three systems are harmonius and unified. The systems work together to fulfill an individual's basic needs and desires. When the systems are in conflict with each other, the individual is said to be maladjusted ro mentally disturbed.

> According to Freud, personality development should be complete by age 5.

Psychosexual Stages of Development (Freud)

>Oral Stage (0 to 1 1/2 years) - The individual experiences the world and derives pleasure and gratification from the stimulation of his or her oral cavity and mouth (sucking)

>Anal Stage (1 1/2 to 3 years) - an individual's focus shifts from the oral region to his or her anus. The individual gains control over his or her anal spinchter and bowels

>Phallic Stage (3 to 6 years) - an individual's zone of pleasure shifts from the anus to his or her genitals

>Latency Stage (6 to 12 years) - an individual's focus on his or her genitals and sexuality develops into more socially acceptable behaviors

>Genital Stage (12 years of age to adulthood) - the individual learns to accept his or her genitalia and begins to experience mature, adult-like sexual feelings

Defense Mechanisms (Anna Freud)

> When the Ego senses that a cetain act or thought may cause harm, the Ego produces Anxiety. Anxiety serves as a signal or impending harm and causes the deployment of defense mechanisms.

> are the unconscious, irrational processes used by individuals to protect the Ego and minimize pain, anxiety, or discomfort by distoring, hiding or denying reality

Defense Mechanism

Denial

> refusing to acknowledge or recognize the reality and implicatoins of painful, anxiety-provoking experiences

Defense Mechanism

 Displacement

Defense Mechanism

 Dissociation

Defense Mechanism

 Idealization

Defense Mechanisms

Identification:

Defense Mechanisms

 Introjection:

Defense Mechanisms

Inversion:

Defense Mechanisms

Isolation:

Defense Mechanisms

Intellectualization:

Defense Mechanisms

Projection:

Defense Mechanisms

Rationalization:

Defense Mechanisms

Reaction Formation:

Defense Mechanisms

Regression:

Defense Mechanisms

Repression / Unconscious Suppression / Conscious Suppression

Defense Mechanisms

Somatization:

Defense Mechanisms

Splitting:

Defense Mechanisms

Substitution:

Defense Mechanisms

Sublimation: