Developing Through the
Life Span
1
Adolescence
AP Photo/ Jeff Chiu
2
Physical Development
3
Primary Sexual Characteristics
Ellen Senisi/ The Image Works
4
Brain Development
Until puberty, neurons increase their connections.
However, at adolescence, selective pruning of the
neurons begins. Unused neuronal connections are
lost to make other pathways more efficient.
5
Cognitive Development
Adolescents’ ability to reason gives them a new
level of social awareness. In particular, they may
think about the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Their own thinking.
What others are thinking.
What others are thinking about them.
How ideals can be reached. They criticize
society, parents, and even themselves.
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Developing Reasoning Power
William Thomas Cain/ Getty Images
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Developing Morality
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At your tables, discuss the following:
•
Scenario 1
A woman was near death from a unique kind of cancer. There is a drug that might
save her. The drug costs $4,000 per dosage. The sick woman's husband, Heinz, went
to everyone he knew to borrow the money and tried every legal means, but he could
only get together about $2,000. He asked the doctor scientist who discovered the
drug for a discount or let him pay later. But the doctor scientist refused.
Should Heinz break into the laboratory to steal the drug for his wife? Why or why
not?
•
Scenario 2
Heinz broke into the laboratory and stole the drug. The next day, the newspapers
reported the break-in and theft. Brown, a police officer and a friend of Heinz
remembered seeing Heinz last evening, behaving suspiciously near the laboratory.
Later that night, he saw Heinz running away from the laboratory.
Should Brown report what he saw? Why or why not?
•
Scenario 3
Officer Brown reported what he saw. Heinz was arrested and brought to court. If
convicted, he faces up to two years' jail. Heinz was found guilty.
Should the judge sentence Heinz to prison? Why or why not?
Moral Thinking
Preconventional Morality:
Before age 9, children show morality to
avoid punishment or gain reward.
Conventional Morality:
By early adolescence, social rules and
laws are upheld for their own sake.
Postconventional Morality:
Affirms people’s agreed-upon rights or
follows personally perceived ethical
principles.
10
Moral Action
Moral action involves doing the right thing.
People who engage in doing the right thing
develop empathy for others and the selfdiscipline to resist their own impulses.
11
Forming an Identity
12
Parent and Peer Influence
13
Adulthood
Rick Doyle/ Corbis
14
Physical Development
The peak of physical performance occurs around
20 years of age, after which it declines
imperceptibly for most of us.
15
Old Age: Life Expectancy
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Old Age: Sensory Abilities
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Old Age: Motor Abilities
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Cognitive Development
Do cognitive abilities like memory, creativity, and
intelligence decline with age the same way
physical abilities do?
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Aging and Memory
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Aging and Memory
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Social Development
Many differences between the young and old are
not simply based on physical and cognitive
abilities, but may instead be based on life events
associated with family, relationships, and work.
22
Adulthood’s Ages and Stages
Neuroticism scores, 10,000 subjects
(McCrae & Costa, 1996).
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Adulthood’s Commitments
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Adulthood’s Commitments
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Well-Being Across the Life Span
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Successful Aging
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Death and Dying
Chris Steele-Perkins/ Magnum Photos
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Social Development
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Activity
• Work in groups to create a presentation to describe each of
the 8 stages of development according to Erikson.
• Each group will develop a presentation for 1 of the stages.
• Indicate the age range of the stage, the title of the stage.
And a description of the stage.
• Include at least one image as well.
• On the back of the presentation, create a test question
about your section, and include the answer as well.
• Feel free to research additional information about this topic
using the internet on your phone or other technology.
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Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust 0-12 months
During this stage the infant is uncertain about the world in which they live. To
resolve these feelings of uncertainty the infant looks towards their primary
caregiver for stability and consistency of care
• Trust
• Mistrust
•
•
•
If the care the infant receives is consistent,
predictable and reliable they will develop a
sense of trust which will carry with them to
other relationships, and they will be able to
feel secure even when threatened.
Success in this stage will lead to the virtue
of hope. By developing a sense of trust, the
infant can have hope that as new crises arise,
there is a real possibility that other people
will be there are a source of support.
•
•
Failing to acquire the virtue of hope will lead to the
development of fear.
For example, if the care has been harsh or
inconsistent, unpredictable and unreliable then the
infant will develop a sense of mistrust and will not
have confidence in the world around them or in their
abilities to influence events.
This infant will carry the basic sense of mistrust with
them to other relationships. It may result in anxiety,
heightened insecurities, and an over feeling of
mistrust in the world around them.
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