BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE

Izben C. Williams, MD, MPHInstructor

The Life Cycle II

ChildhoodAdolescence

Special Issues of Development &

Adulthood

CHILDHOOD: Age 3 to Puberty

PERIOD OF MAJOR CHANGEEmphasis shifts:

from central focus of child’s relationship with mother

to child’s relationship with both parents

To socialization with child’s peers

A Bio-Psycho-Social paradigm is applicable

A. Biological and Maturational Factors 1

1. Physical growthAverage heights for boys and girls steady

up to about age 9 The brain reaches about 90% of its adult

weight at age 62. Motor

Reproduces circle at 2, cross at 3, square at 5 & diamond at 7

Walks up stairs unaided and stand on one foot from age 3

Biological and Maturational Factors 2

Speech and Language DevelopmentAdvances rapidly between ages 3 and 5, the

average child learning two new words per day

Cognitive MaturationProgressing from the sensory motor stage,

two further stages emerge a) The Preoperational Stage (2-7)b) The Concrete operational Stage (7-11)

Biological and Maturational Factors 3

a) Preoperational Stage: transition from action and sensation to thought. There is…….Symbolic functionEgocentrismAnimismArtificialismCausality blurred (physical vs psychological)Concept of conservation unclear

Biological and Maturational Factors 4

b) The Concrete operational Stage: mastering the characteristics of the preoperational stageThe capacity for reversibility is now

understood and thereby the concept of conservation (eg, understanding volume and mass)

Can put him/her self in the place of someone else (empathy)

Can understand classifications and comparative dimensions

B. Psychological and Social Development 1

1. Psychosexual Developmenta. Having established an emotionally positive

attachment, a sense of autonomy and a sense of self, …now enters phallic phase characterized by the Oedipus complex1 primary interest in genitals for pleasure2. The Oedipus involves a triadic

relationship among father-mother-child in which the child wishes to have sole possession of the opposite sex parent

Psychological and Social Development 2

Psychosexual Development (cont’d)3. Oedipus conflict – child feels rivalry

with parent of same sex and fears retaliation (castration anxiety in boy, loss of love in girl)

4. Oedipus complex fades by about age 6 and as it is recedes child resolves to grow up like parent of same sex and identifies with that authority, thereby beginning the development of an internalized conscience (the superego).

Psychological and Social Development 3

Psychosexual Development (cont’d)b. Latency: period between resolution

of the oedipal conflict and the onset of puberty. A period of:Strict conscience & Strong defenses (eg reaction formation, identification and displacement)

Fantasies (eg. ideal family, imaginary companion

Psychological and Social Development 4

2. Play: an important part of a child’s worlda. Role playb. Parallel playc. Cooperative playd. Group games

Games provide bodily mastery, self confidence, peer interaction, sublimated competitiveness, resolution of many anxieties

Psychological and Social Development 5

3. Social Development: Varied social experiences prepare the

nursery school child to develop socially and for enlarging the universe of people important to him.

Entry into school continues this process in profound ways, ultimately preparing the young for adult roles

ADOLESCENCEA. BIOLOGICAL FACTORS

1. PubertyGenerally biological changes occur

earlier for girls (about age 11-12) than for boys (about 12-14).

Although biologically based, these changes have profound psychological consequences

ADOLESCENCE 22. Cognition

Formal operational stage reached (11 plus)Capacity for abstract and propositional

thinking about multiple variablesCan analyze abstract concepts of truth

and virtueEgocentrism more manifest

ADOLESCENCE 3B. PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS

1. Developmental TasksPsychological separation from parentsConsolidation of sense of self

(formation of Ericson’s ego identity)and attendant conflicts

Capacity for love relationships (outside of family)

Control of impulse (particularly sex and aggression)

ADOLESCENCE 4 PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS

2. Adolescent turmoilWas previously thought that the

extreme behavioral and emotional shifts (suicidality, substance abuse, sexual promiscuity) reflected normal adolescence.

Studies of normal adolescents did not support this view, and hence now understood as evidence of moderate to severs disorders

ADOLESCENCE 4 SOCIOCULTURAL FACTORS

1. Duration of adolescence: socioculturally determined (longer in developed countries)

Social class: significantly determines the nature of middle and late adolescence. In middle and upper classes there is a prolonged period of dependence

ADULTHOODA. EARLY ADULTHOOD (20-40)

1. Biological factors2. Psychological factors.3. Sociocultural factors

ADULTHOOD 2A. EARLY ADULTHOOD (20-40)

1. Biological factors: Body reaches its peak, physically, reproductively & cognitively. Using available capacities.

ADULTHOOD 3A. EARLY ADULTHOOD (20-40)

2. Psychological factors include the following:a. Development of the capacity for intimacy and its hallmark task – parenthood.Parenthood as a developmental phase permanently alters life in all further stages

b. Career : In western society adult identity is often influenced by the work one does.Stressors of adulthood and coping

ADULTHOOD 4B. MIDDLE ADULTHOOD (40-60)

1. Biological Factors: The aging process, illness and the inevitability of death largely shapes psychological development in mid-adulthooda. In women, menopause and its attendant

syndrome. Although it is a biological event the most significant effects are psychological including anxiety and depression (on appraisal of prior and future phases of their lives) diminishing choices)

b. In men, no biological equivalent but similar appraisal and reflection on diminishing choices

ADULTHOOD 5B. MIDDLE ADULTHOOD (40-60)

1. Biological Factors: The aging process, illness and the inevitability of death largely shapes psychological development in mid-adulthooda. In women, menopause Although it is a

biological event the most significant effects are psychological including anxiety and depression (on appraisal of prior and future phases of their lives)

b. In men, no biological equivalent but similar appraisal and reflection on diminishing choices

ADULTHOOD 6B. MIDDLE ADULTHOOD (40-60)

1. Psychological Factors:a. The midlife crisisb. The midlife transition (less severe

form)c. Relationships with children changed. Decline in healthe. There are advantages: wisdom,

experience privileges, rank etc

LATER ADULTHOOD & OLD AGE (60+)

A. BIOLOGICAL FACTORS: Decline is not uniform, but there’s diminishing physical and cognitive capacities plus increased likelihood of acute and chronic illness1. The pathologic process of aging2. Cognitive capacities3. General decline in physical function

LATER ADULTHOOD & OLD AGE (60+) - 2

B. PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS: 1. Retirement: utility value challenged2. Reappraisal of lived life:

Reaffirmation of sense of integrityRealization of despair (Erickson)

3. Prospect of institutional care (although only 20%)

LATER ADULTHOOD & OLD AGE (60+) - 3

C. SOCIOCULTURAL FACTORS: The relative over-65 population continues to increaseErikson’s last stage of ego-identity vs

despairTraditional youth-oriented society

becoming more old-age consciousSenior citizen’s advocacy groups have

galvanized attention and combatted prejudicial attitudes

Erikson’s conception of developmental sequence

Psychosocial StageAge

(years)

Polarity

I. Oral-sensory 0-1 Trust vs mistrust

II. Muscular-anal 1-3 Autonomy vs shame and doubt

III. Locomotor-general 3-6 Initiative vs guilt

IV. Latency 6-12 Industry vs inferiority

V. Puberty and adolescence 12-20 Identity vs role confusion

VI. Young adulthood 20-30 Intimacy vs isolation

VII. Adulthood 30-65 Generality vs self absorption

VIII. Maturity and Death 65+ Ego integrity vs despair