THE PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT OF JAMI DETJENS

MHS 555A look at biological, cognitive, and

Socioemotional Development

Birth to 24 months

Stages of Development

Biological Processes

Developed physically fastest growth spurt of my life gained muscle control

Nativism says certain skills and abilities are innate in a person.

My Biological development from Birth to 24 months followed the typical course of any healthy infant

Cognitive Processes

Learned to sit, stand, roll crawl and walk. Began to speak in 5 word sentences

Piaget’s cognitive developmental theory (pg. 22) says an infant gains understanding of the world through coordinating sensory issues with physical actions

By physically interacting with what I saw, heard, touched, tasted and smelled I developed in accordance with his theory of a typical child

Socioemotional Processes

Recognized people and formed attachments.

Erickson's Psychosocial Theory (pg.21) says an infant decides whether the world is a safe place by his ability to trust (Trust Vs Mistrust) and begin to explore the self (autonomy Vs Shame/doubt) When the attachment to the care giver is not based on trust and the development of self is discouraged the infant is unsure of the relationship and himself. My father first spanked me for crying at 18 months. I developed a fear of my father and did not trust my mother completely from my first memories of them. I do not remember the incident I was told about it by my mother.

Stages of Development2 – 5 years

Biological Process

Grew taller and heavier, gained control of muscles for large and fine motor control, gained control of bowel and bladder functions.

Freud’s five stages of psychosexual developmentSuggest that from about 18 months to 3 years children are focused on an anal stage. This is during the time when They develop control of their bowels and begin to be potty trained. I followed the typical pattern of a healthy child andWas potty trained between 18 months and 2 years of age

Cognitive ProcessLanguage acquisition increased, learned concepts like shape, color, distance, and sizes, began to read.First memories begin to emerge

According to Piaget’s Theory (pg. 22)Children begin to represent the world with wordsAnd images during the preoperational stage. I became very Verbal and began to read by the age of five.

Socioemotional stage

Birth of my sister at 2 and my brother at 4. Started kindergarten at early 5. Family moved to a religious commune at age 4-and then left and moved to Illinois.

Erickson's stage (pg. 21) Initiative Vs guilt says That as a child's world expands they face newChallenges. If they are made to feel to anxious theydevelop guilt. I never behaved in a manner that was deemed acceptable and was highly criticized. I felt very guiltyFrom a young age about not being a “good enough” person

Stage of Development 6-11 years

Biological Process

Walked “pigeon toed”Spent six months in a body cast (corrective surgery both legs) at age 10Recover from surgery painfulVery thin child

Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory (pg. 26) of development says the chronosystem consists of the patterning of environmental eventsAnd transitions over the course of a lifetime. Having to go through corrective measures for being pigeon toed and being in a body cast for six months separated me physically from my peers.

Cognitive ProcessesExcelled in early learningDeveloped trust issues due to abuse.Wrote poetry and home bible study

Bandura social cognition theory (pg. 414)Says moral development is a relationship between environment, cognition, And behavior while Vygotski social constructive approach(pg. 203) says learning and knowledge develop through social interaction

I developed a strong belief system and language skills but developed spiritually Introverted to protect myself from abuse. My knowledge development came from sharing time with my father writing poetry and reading the bible. These were Our positive interactions

Socioemotional Processes

Began to develop an eating disorder (binging)Corrective devises for being pigeon toed made me physically stand out 6-9.Physical abuse age 6-10Church summer camp/ personal private conversion to Christ in the woods age 9Visiting tutor for 6 months while in body cast.Moved to central WI three days after cast removal.Started a new school with a cane at 11.

Erickson Industry vs inferiority (21) says children need to develop their energy To mastering skills when they don’t feel competent they feel inferior. I began To develop an eating disorder around the age of 11 because I felt unattractiveand clumsy due in large part to negative feedback at home. Damon (416) says emotions such as empathy, shame, guilt, and anxiety produce a basis for moral development. I experienced a spiritual realization When I expressed my emotions to God at age 9 which has shaped my moral development throughout my life.

Stage of Development12-15

Biological ProcessPuberty at age 13Under 100 pounds in high school

According to Belsky (pg.94) Weight, Nutrition, Health and Stress play a roleIn the timing and makeup of puberty. I was very underweight and I started Signs of puberty at 12 menses at 13. Most of the girls my age started before me

Cognitive ProcessesContinued reading writing poetry, loved algebra early on age 12Began to be interested in relationships with boys

Vygotski social constructive approach(pg. 203) says a student needs many opportunities to learn with teachers and peers. At this age my understanding matured some and I began to stop playingChildren's games and started trying higher level skills

Socioemotional processesBullied in Jr HighVery isolatedContinued Binge eatingFather had me smoke marijuana at age 12 No church involvement in this time period.Made a “best” friend at age 13First experiences with boys (kissing) age 13Parents bought first home age 14. Started stealing marijuana from parents to make friends

Erickson Identity vs identity confusion(21) says if an adolescent Explores roles in a healthy manner they achieve a positive identity.If not they become confused. Being bullied and introduced to drugs at a young age led me away from the things I believed in Order to feel accepted.

Stage of Development 16-19

Biological process

Stopped getting taller age 16Metabolism slowed but still underweight

Candow and Chilibeck (pg. 96) say early adulthood seems uneventful For development changes are subtle and height remains constant

Cognitive ProcessesStopped participating in school age 16Began to take ownership of my cognitive growth through decision making (albeit poor decisions often)Decided I wanted to graduate my senior year and did so at alternative high school age 17

Went to college in Ladysmith WI age 18

Marcia- Identity moratorium (pg. 355)Is a stage of identity where an individual is in crisis but commitmentsare vague. I had no idea where I was going at this age. I fluctuated betweenwanting to succeed intellectually and not wanting to care about any thing or at least To appear as if I didn’t care.

Self esteem and depression Baumeister (345) says self esteem is highly related to happiness. High self esteem happiness, depression lowers it. I did not have high self esteem as a late teen and struggled with depression especially around the age of 19. Not having close family ties left me feelingAs if I could disappear and not be noticed or missed.

Socioemotional ProcessesParents divorced age 16 Siblings stayed with father and did not see them for a year in the same town.I started Heavy drug and alcohol use 16-19Spiritually bankruptSexually promiscuous age 17-19 Lived with mother who was very promiscuous at the time 16-17 Mother became pregnant 17. Reunited with my sister 17.Bulimia began age 18Depression/anxiety age 19

Erickson Identity vs identity confusion (353)says during this time adolescents are face with who they are going to beWhat they are about and where they are going. I had no clear direction and went from extreme parental control to no parental involvement from the age of 16. This was a very confusing time for me.

Stage of Development 20’s

Biological Process

Metabolism slower began to gain weight. Four full term pregnancies between age 23-28

Cognitive ProcessStarted to explore spirituality again.Learned how to focus on parenting

Socioemotional processFather was murdered in unsolved homicide age 20Left school age 20Met my future husband and moved in together age 21Moved to Upper Michigan with future husband age 22Had first child age 23Married age 23Began to worship in church age 23Had three more children 18 months apart.Moved back to Wausau with family age 25.Realized my husband had serious AODA issuesEngaged in drug use with spouse as a last ditch effort to save marriage age 25Separated from husband age 26Discovered I was pregnant with fourth child age 26Reconciled with husband age 26Seriously began to seek God age 27Divorced age 29Husband disappeared after divorce went to work to support family age 29

Erickson Intimacy vs isolation(Page 22)According to this developmental stage adults develop intimate relationships or face isolation. The loss of my father and the difficulty of our relationship was confusing for me and the Trials and failure of my marriage has kept me from trying to developAn intimate relationship since.

Stages of Development 30’s

Biological processesWeight fluctuated up and downDegenerative arthritis caused a disc to blow in my back age 30Laminectomy age 35

Cognitive process

Began to set boundaries with othersStopped letting others manipulate my feelings

Harriet Lerner (pg. 383) says It is important for a women to be Strong, assertive, independent and authentic in relationships. I needed to set boundaries in order to achieve this

Socioemotional ProcessBegan to work full time and gained experience as well as advancements. Age 30 Raised children alone age 30 Finished my degree age 38Took in my young nieces and nephew through kinship care age 38Concerned about the directions my teens were going age 39. Decided to move them away from their friends to a town hours away.

Erickson stage 7 Generativity versus stagnation speaks to middle adulthoodHelping the younger generation develop and live meaningful lives. As my childrengrew it became apparent to me that I needed to do whatever I could to keep themFrom going down the wrong path. I went to the extreme of starting over when I felt I could no longer be effective in the situation I found as they approached teen years. I did everything I knew to affect the people they would become in a positive way.

Stages of Development40’s

Biological ProcessesContinued to gain weightStarted menopauseBegan to eat and exercise for health

Lerner-Geva (pg. 97) Talk about the wide variation in the menopauseExperience. It is difficult to talk about menopause in a linear way because it Is a long process which began for me at about 40 and is still occurring at nearly 46

Cognitive processSpiritual growth Settled into adulthood with less restlessness of my 20s and 30s

Myers (pg. 434) The influence of religion in peoples lives may change asThey develop. The older I get the more I want to find Gods design for my life.

Socioemotional processMoved my family to Kenosha WI age 40Switched my career from developmentally disabled adults to adults with mental illness. Age 41Children grew to adulthood starting at age 41First grandchild born age 43Decided to get my master’s degree age 44Had my 45th birthday in April this yearSecond grandson born age 45Trying to explore subconscious issues that contribute to bulimia and get in the way of spiritual growth age 45.

Gatz and Karel suggest that self control increases from early adulthoodThrough middle age. This is relevant for me as I am not as elastic as I was when I was younger. My ability to bounce back being less efficient Means I need to become more disciplined in my lifestyle choices

Stages of Development50-65

Biological process for the futureTake serious steps to improve my physical health. Bring my weight down to a manageable level.

Menec pg. 505 says the more active, energetic and productiveA person is the happier and more successful the age

Cognitive processesBring more spirituality into my work. Become part of a mission Retire from full time working mid sixties, begin to focus on volunteer social opportunities.

Moen (pg. 555) says retirement is a process not an event. I will need to be diligent to prepare myself for retirement so I can Meet my goals in my later years

Socioemotional processWatch my kids start their own familiesSpend time with my grandchildren and find great joy with them.Begin to explore hobbies that bring me happiness. Spend time with my sister who moved to Kenosha.

Selective optimization with compensation theory Baltes(350) says successful aging is linked to three main factors. Selection of activitiesWe are capable of doing, optimization by continual practice and using new technology and compensation by accepting help where needed

StagesOf Development65+

Biological ProcessTry to maintain health

Dupree (pg. 98) says various drugs, a healthy diet, and exercise Can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in older adults

Cognitive processRemain as active as I am able

Activity theory (pg 504) says the more active and involved older adults the more likely they are to be satisfied with their lives

Socioemotional ProcessSpent a good deal of time in worship and fellowship with friends, spent time with family

The social Convoy Model (pg.505) says individuals go through lifeEmbedded in relationship in which they give and receiveSocial support helps individuals of all ages cope better

BibliographySantock, J. W. (2012). A topical approach to Life-Span Development sixth edition. New York: McGraw-Hill.