Introduction
Having an understanding of the core aspects and stages of human development is critical for identifying the relevant issues and determining the core factors affecting a specific psychological concern. Presently, several perspectives on the phenomenon of human development exist. These are represented by the framework designed by Piaget, Vygotsky, and Erikson (Bradbury, 2019). Since Erikson’s model allows embracing different age groups, the specified framework should be deemed as the foundational one in understanding the subject matter.
Discussion
The application of the specified theories allows the development of a proper concept of human development as a complete process. Specifically, Erikson’s theoretical framework allows for distilling the stages of infancy, toddlerhood, preschool, early school, adolescence, and young, middle, and late adulthood (Bradbury, 2019). Combining it with Vygotsky’s approach, one can isolate the criteria such as pre-verbal thought, practical intelligence, and inner speech as the main characteristics of achieving the core developmental stages in childhood (Bradbury, 2019). In turn, the core criteria for achieving the specified stages are the development of trust, autonomy, initiative, industry, and identity, and acceptance of intimacy, generativity, and integrity (Bradbury, 2019). Therefore, by incorporating an amalgamation of the three theoretical perspectives into the analysis of human development, one will be able to identify core criteria for each.
Conclusion
Though different perspectives on the concept of human development exist, the approach offered by Vygotsky should be regarded as the most exhaustive since it details core developmental changes both in childhood and adulthood. Nonetheless, integrating essential aspects of Piaget’s and Erikson’s theories also helps identify major landmarks of each developmental stage. Thus, the developmental criteria such as the ability to identify concrete and abstract concepts, as well as embrace the complexity of the social environment, can be incorporated into the understanding of human development.
Reference
Bradbury, J. (2019). Narrative psychology and Vygotsky in dialogue: changing subjects. Routledge.