HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Human Development

Human Development

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Introduction

Human development is the process of maturing from childhood to adulthood. It is an interdisciplinary field devoted to understanding human constancy and change throughout the lifespan (Berk, 2006). Understanding human development is an essential part of the education process. Knowledge of normal behaviour for specific age groups allows for individualising assessments and planning. Knowledge of several principles, issues and theories help us to understand optimal development and care (Mandleco, 2007). Many theorists, including Sigmund Freud, Albert Bandura and Erik Erikson, have contributed to the human development process, in order to show its importance and significance in our lives as human beings. This essay will outline the human development theories made by the three major theorists above, as well as, providing an indication of the strengths and weaknesses of each theory and its implications for teachers, in particular, and for educators as a whole.

The first major theorist is Sigmund Freud (1856 - 1939). His psychoanalytic theory personality is a cornerstone of modern psychology and human development. His theory proposed that we are driven by emotions and motives of which we are unaware of. His theory was built on the premise that unconsciousness needs or drives especially sexual, and other biological drives, are the basis of human motivation and personality. Freud constructed this theory on the basis of patients recollection of early childhood experiences, analysis of dream and specific nature of mental and physical problems and ego development (Casper & Taylor, 1996). Freud emphasized that an individualsdevelopment occurs when he or she undergoes through a number of distinct stages of infant and childhood development. These stages are Oral stage, this is the infant's first relationship with its mother; it is a nutritive one. Then its anal stage, this phase usually occurs from eighteen months to thirty-six months of age. In this stage, children have the pleasure in learning how to control their bowels. Then its phallic stage, it starts at thirty six months of age till seventy two months of age. In this phase the child becomes more aware of his or her genital organs and related feelings arise in him or her. Next, the Latency phase begins where child begins to make connections with other children, sibling and adults; it starts at the age of six. Last is the Genital phase where child starts to develop opposite sex relationship, starting at the age of puberty.

Albert Bandura (1925 - ) is another major theorist in this area of study. Bandura is known for his ?modelling effect? notion, where he concluded that modelling was a powerful process that could account for diverse forms of learning. He also promoted the ?social cognitive? theory where he stated that humans are the beings whose learning is shaped and processed from active scanning of information which is present around them. It could be in the environment, the community or other people around them. Additionally, he considered learning to be no different among kids, adults or animals. According to Bandura, human beings are not simply ...