The life cycle

The Life Cycle

Brittany Robisnon

Childhood Development• There are 8 stages of life• Each stage is defined by a developmental task:

events that need to happen in order for a person to continue growing toward becoming a healthy, mature adult– If one stage is not completed it can be made up at

another stage

4 Stages of Infancy and Childhood

• Infancy: birth-1year• Task: develop trust • the period of fastest growth– Height by 50%– Weight may triple

4 Stages of Infancy and Childhood

• Early Childhood: 1-3 years• Task: to develop ability to do tasks themselves• Child develops sense of autonomy: the

confidence that a person can control his or her own body, impulses, and environment

• Overprotection may cause child to lack sense of autonomy

4 Stages of Infancy and Childhood

• Middle Childhood: 4-6 years• Task: to develop responsibility, take initiative,

to create one’s own play• Ask many questions, learn to express and read

emotion, be creative in developing something• Impatient parents may cause their child to

have a low self-esteem

• Late Childhood: 7-12 years• Task: to develop an interest in performing

activities• Develop a conscience, learn appropriate social

roles, and get along with peers

4 Stages of Infancy and Childhood

• The period from childhood to adulthood• Puberty: the time when a person begins to

develop certain traits of adults of his or her own gender; the beginning of adolescence– Occurs sometime between the ages of 12-18;

determined mainly by heredity

Adolescence

Adolescence

• Puberty– Develop sex characteristics: traits related to a

person’s gender– Secondary sex characteristics:• Female: breasts, hips widen, waistline narrows• Males: facial hair appears, voice deepens, shoulders

broaden, muscle develops

Adolescence

• Developmental Tasks:– Establish emotional and psychological

independence– Develop a personal sense of identity– Adopt a personal value system– Establish adult vocational goals– Develop control over your behavior

• Physical maturity: the state at which the physical body and all its organs are fully developed

• Emotional maturity: state at which the mental and emotional capabilities of an individual are fully developed

Moving Toward Adulthood

The Stages of Adulthood

• Young Adulthood: 19-40 years• Task: to develop close personal relationships• Four major focuses:– Personal independence– Occupational choices– Intimate relationships – Contributions to society

Personal Independence

• Self-actualization: developing one’s capabilities to the fullest

• Move from parent support to friend support to self-sufficient

• Influences may include:– Part-time job– Role model– Amount of education towards a certain

occupation

Occupational Choices

Intimate Relationships

• Emotional Intimacy: ability to experience a caring, loving relationship with another person whom you can share your innermost feeling

• Romantic relationships, marriage ABSTAIN!!!!!

Contributing to Society

• Developing political views• Developing religious views• Taking part in community programs

Marriage

• Commitment: a promise or pledge that a couple makes to one another

• Marital adjustments: how well a person adjusts to his or her spouse– Good Communication: need to share feelings and

express concerns; demonstrating affection– Emotional Maturity: understand their partners

needs and can compromise– Similar Values and Interests: spending more time

together strengthes the relationship

Resolving Conflicts

• Can reduce conflicts by having good communication and conflict resolution skills

• Possible Conflicts:– Difference in spending habits– Conflicting loyalties involving family and friends– Lack of communication– Lack of intimacy– Jealousy, infidelity, lack of attention– Decisions about children– Abusive tendencies