Selected Age and Developmental Context
A high school student called Sarah is the object of the investigation of her personal experience. She is 15 years old, meaning her psyche is going through the most significant changes at the moment. Sarah is navigating the complex journey of adolescence, which is absolutely crucial in the development of her fully-grown identity and personality. It aligns with Erik Erikson’s psychosocial theory, Jean Piaget’s cognitive development theory, and Lawrence Kohlberg’s theory of moral development.
Application of Developmental Theories
Sarah is fighting the psychosocial crisis of identity versus role confusion, which is an indication of adolescence. She is in the middle of forming and exploring her values, beliefs, and aspirations (Maree, 2022). Sarah is keen on understanding who she is and where she fits into her social context.
In terms of cognitive development, Sarah is at the formal operational stage (Oogarah-Pratap et al., 2020). She is capable of more complex abstract thinking, problem-solving, and hypothesis testing. Sarah is exploring abstract concepts and engaging in hypothetical reasoning. Her ability to think critically and make decisions is evolving, becoming more precise and diverse.
Last but not least, Sarah’s moral development is transitioning into the post-conventional level of moral reasoning (Mathes, 2021). She is beginning to evaluate societal norms, laws, and ethical principles. Sarah is developing her moral code and wants to engage in moral discussions. Her internal moral values influence her decisions.
Evaluation of Developmental Theories
I agree with these developmental theories when applied to the age of 15. Erikson’s theory, number one, captures the profound psychosocial changes that adolescents undergo as they form their identity. Sarah’s experience of exploring roles is a classic example of this crisis in real life. Piaget’s theory of cognitive development portrays Sarah’s advanced cognitive abilities. Her capacity for abstract thinking and complex problem-solving fits the formal operational stage, providing a rich basis for understanding her intellectual growth. Finally, Kohlberg’s theory of moral development reflects Sarah’s progression toward post-conventional morality. It highlights her ethical development and ability to think critically.
References
Maree, J. G. (2022). The psychosocial development theory of Erik Erikson: critical overview. In R. Evans & O. N. Saracho (Eds.), The Influence of Theorists and Pioneers on Early Childhood Education (pp. 119-133). Routledge.
Mathes, E. W. (2021). An evolutionary perspective on Kohlberg’s theory of moral development. Current Psychology, 40(8), 3908-3921. Web.
Oogarah-Pratap, B., Bholoa, A., & Ramma, Y. (2020). Stage theory of cognitive development—Jean Piaget. In B. Akpan & T. J. Kennedy (Eds.), Science Education in Theory and Practice: An Introductory Guide to Learning Theory (pp. 133-148). Springer, Cham.