Week 2-Siebring

Week 2:  Theories of Development

The reading for week 2 gave the readers many different types of theories of development and how they are alike and also different.  These theories were broken down into specific categories and those categories were:  Psychoanalytic, psychosocial, cognitive, cultural, behavioral, and contextual.  The reading also tells us about each theorist all the way from Freud to Lerner.  While each providing evidence to back his theory, they all fell under criticism when it came to the everyday application of the theories.

            This being my very first psych class I tried going into it with an open mind.  I never really put much thought on which theory of development I would find myself to believe in.  I had heard of Freud and Pavlov and a few others, but never knew about a lot of their studies on development.  Before reading this chapter, if someone would have asked me which theory of development I would lean towards, I would have chosen the cognitive theory.  I always felt that children and even adults develop and grow with continued learning.  After reading the chapter I would lean more towards Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs as a driving force in development.

            While being a substitute teacher on and off since 2002 I feel Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, in my opinion those most accurate theory of development when it comes to everyday real-life application.  I have even seen the difference in students where they are in the Hierarchy now from when I started in 2002.  As Figure 2.5 on page 46 shows us, the physiological needs like food and shelter is vital in development.  Even though many schools have a breakfast program, I have seen many kids who still do not get the basic needs when it comes to food and nutrition.  I am not saying that hinders his or her development socially, but I have seen it effect the learning.  These students will start focusing on being hungry and not pay attention in class and also start acting out and causing a disturbance in class.  Also because of social media and other electronics systems many students are not getting the sleep they require to function in school.  I have seen kids shut down while in class and even constantly fall asleep.    

            Then and now the safety need for students have not change much.  Overall most kids feel safe in school and in their life.  However, there are always a few instances that he or she may not feel safe and that become a challenge as an educator because the student would rather keep it in and not ask for help.  The biggest change I have seen is the love and belonging stage of Maslow’s Hierarchy.  Students in the past wanted to be more his or her own person no matter what anyone says.  Now kids are so worried about what his or her peers think of them that they will change who he or she is to fit in and feel like they belong.  An example I have seen recently is in the middle school level.  There was one student that always connected himself with another student that is always causing trouble for teachers and other students.  In turn he is always acting out and getting into trouble.  He was asked why he associates with the other problematic student.  He responded that he wanted to fit in and that is what the other students expected out of him so he just went along with it.  He does not even care for the other problematic student.

            After reading the chapter I definitely feel more connected with Maslow and his Hierarchy of Needs.  As a child and as an adult I base my choices on the basic needs that Maslow discusses.  Some needs are harder to achieve then others and feel content.  I honestly feel as an adult I have not even done a lot to achieve the need of self-actualization.  I hope this class will help me get to that level.