Psychology and Life Stages

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses the development of a child between conception and birth and S. Cooper's research on fetal alcohol syndrome. The paper discusses the first few years of life and the development of attachment as researched by Harry Harlow, early childhood and middle childhood and their psychosocial challenges as identified by Erik Erikson and adolescent teenagers' sense of egocentrism as illustrated by David Elkind. The paper then looks at young adulthood and Kohlberg's model of moral reasoning development and middle adulthood's challenge as theorized by Erik Erikson. Finally, the paper addresses late adulthood and the development of Alzheimer's disease and end of life issues as defined by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross.

Outline:
Conception through Birth
First Three Years of Life
Early Childhood
Middle Childhood
Adolescence
Young Adulthood
Middle Adulthood
Late Adulthood
End of Life

From the Paper:

"There are a number of different dangers that can threaten the healthy development of a child between the time of conception and birth. A child begins as a zygote until its first 2 weeks, then moves on to being an embryo between 3 and 8 weeks, and finally, is considered a fetus from 9 weeks until birth (usually around 38 weeks). The first three months of pregnancy are the most dangerous for an unborn child, and during this time a child can be threatened by teratogens, which are harmful agents in the prenatal environment that can have negative impacts on a child's development. One of the most common of teratogens is alcohol. The consumption of alcohol during pregnancy can lead to a syndrome called Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which causes mental retardation, abnormally small size, as well as organ, facial and limb abnormalities."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Cooper, S. (1987). The fetal alcohol syndrome. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 28, 223-227.
• Elkind, D. (1967). Egocentrism in Adolescence. Child Development, 38, 1025-1034.
• Elkind, D. (1974). Children and adolescents, Interpretive essays on Jean Piaget. 2nd Ed. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Erikson, E. (1980). Identity and the life cycle. New York: Norton.
• Fackelman, K. (1995). Mice show Alzheimer brain plaques. Science News, 147, 84.

More papers on Psychology and Life Stages:

• Analytical Essay # 132277 : "Theories of Human Development and Life Span"
• Term Paper # 107924 : "Palliative Care and End-of Life Nursing"
• Research Paper # 69139 : "The Three Stages of Memory"

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