Discuss why they believe their program of study requires them to take this class/Developmental Psychology
Psychology refers to the study of mental and behavioral characteristics in people (Pastorino, Ellen & Susann, 6). As a student of psychology, it is imperative to take a class in developmental psychology, which is a branch of the program. This branch of psychology entails the study of how people develop and change over the course of a lifespan (Schaffer, 5). The study of this course is very vital since it enables one to understand the physical characteristics experienced by people as they grow. Additionally, one is equipped with knowledge about the social, emotional and cognitive changes experienced by humans in their lifetime (Watts, 11). Consequently, the study of this course enhances a better understanding of psychology by analyzing human behavior at a wholesome and deeper level.
Discuss how Developmental Psychology applies to either their life or their chosen career goal
Developmental psychology is very practical in an individual’s career goal. A developmental psychologist can work in diverse settings in contemporary society (Lerner, 8). An understanding of people’s growth and the reasons for the same, which this course gives, can be used in assisting people live to their greatest potential. Consequently, a developmental psychologist can choose to work with a specific group of people for instance developmentally tardy children. In present day, many parents are concerned whether their children’s development is progressing normally. Using developmental milestones therefore, a developmental psychologist can assist a parent in determining this. The psychologist in this case is therefore responsible for finding out if a child has a disability through an evaluation and offering advice on how such a disability can be addressed (Garber, 44). The same applies to other areas where a developmental psychologist chooses to focus on, for instance those working in homes for the elderly, rehabilitation centers for teenagers, psychiatric clinics and hospitals (Snyder,8).
Discuss how having a basic understanding of lifespan developmental psychology can be personally advantageous (this may be at work, interpersonal relationships, or etc,)
Human developmental psychologists have recently adopted the lifespan developmental standpoint which upholds that significant changes take place in each period of development and that these changes must be understood in terms of the culture and context in which they take place (Cummings, 16). Understanding the concept of lifespan developmental psychology is very advantageous in an individual’s interpersonal relationships. Lifespan developmental psychology entails a deeper understanding of people’s motor skills as well as other areas like problem solving, theoretical understanding and moral understanding (Cohen, 23). With this understanding, an individual can be able to relate well with people who have dissimilar behavioral characteristics. This is because he will be able to understand these persons differently, hence gaining the capacity to cope with each of them without any difficulties (Life-span developmental psychology, 13).
Discuss what they feel to be the most useful knowledge they have gained from studying the lifespan up to this point.
Studying the theories in child development was the most knowledgeable area up to this point. Most importantly, the Piaget’s stage model of cognitive development was very informative. The model illustrates the intellectual development of children from their infancy stage to their early adulthood (Kail &John, 135). This, it does by explaining all of the four stages in a child’s development ; the sensori motor period, pre-operational stage, concrete operational stage and the formal operational stage(Martin,40) This theory provided important knowledge about changes in children development. Notably, it brought an understand of how a child’s thinking develops as the child grows, as well as when the child gets to learn about object permanence, maintenance and abstract interpretation (Sutherland,10). The knowledge was very useful since it can be easily applied to monitor the development of children found in any society.
References
Cohen, Stanley H, and Hayne W. Reese. Life-span Developmental Psychology: Methodological
Contributions. Hillsdale, N.J: L. Erlbaum Associates, 1994. Print.
Cummings, E M, Anita L. Greene, and Katherine H. Karraker. Life-span Developmental Psychology: Perspectives on Stress and Coping. Hillsdale, N.J: L. Erlbaum Associates, 1991.
Print.
Garber, Benjamin D. Developmental Psychology for Family Law Professionals: Theory, Application, and the Best Interests of the Child. New York: Springer Pub. Co, 2010. Internet resource.
Kail, Robert V, and John C. Cavanaugh. Human Development: A Life-Span View. Australia:
Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2010. Print.
Lerner, Richard M. Handbook of Psychology. New York: Wiley, 2003. Print.
Life-span Developmental Psychology. New York: Academic, 1969. Print.
Martin, Carol L, Richard A. Fabes, and Richard A. Fabes. Discovering Child Development.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co, 2009. Print.
Pastorino, Ellen, and Susann Doyle-Portillo. What Is Psychology? Essentials. Australia:
Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2011. Print.
Schaffer, H R. Key Concepts in Developmental Psychology. London: SAGE, 2006. Print.
Snyder, C R, and Shane J. Lopez. Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations
of Human Strengths. Thousand Oaks, Calif: SAGE Publications, 2007. Print.
Sutherland, Peter. Cognitive Development Today: Piaget and His Critics. London: Chapman,
1992. Print.
Watts, Jacki, Kate Cockcroft, and Norman Duncan. Developmental Psychology. Cape Town,
South Africa: UCT Press, 2009. Print.
