Personal Development Introduction
Personal development analysis is important in evaluating an individual’s life from the beginning to the end. Scholars have conducted research on human development and created theories and frameworks that can be used as benchmarks to analyze one’s strengths and weaknesses. In this paper, I will analyze my development using Piaget’s stages of development, nature versus nurture, Perry’s Postformal thought, adult attachment and relationships, Super’s approach to career development, identity development, faith development, personality and temperament, culture, religion, and well-being, and ending well.
Theoretical Perspectives of Development
Stage of Development According to Piaget
Piaget’s theory of cognitive development is parallel to my developmental processes. The first stage is the sensorimotor stage, experienced from birth to 2 years (Scott & Cogburn, 2023). The children learn the world through sensation and movement. They realize that things exist even when they are not seen. Also, they learn they are different from things around them, and their actions can cause a change in the environment. At this stage, I began naming and attaching words to objects like tables, chair, and others. Also, I made many discoveries about the world, such as realizing that the TV is entertaining.
The second stage is the preoperational stage, experienced from 2 to 7 years, mainly characterized by language emergence. They start thinking symbolically and represent objects using words and pictures (Scott & Cogburn, 2023). They are egocentric and cannot understand things from the perspectives of others. They get better with language but still think using literal times. During this stage, I participated and learned through pretend play. I got in fights while playing with my siblings for failure to view things from their perspectives.
The third stage is the concrete operations stage, experienced between 7 and 11 years of age. They begin to think logically but still very concretely (Scott & Cogburn, 2023). The previous egocentrism begins to fade, and they start understanding conservation. At this point, I began to appreciate that people have unique perspectives about different things. I appreciated the diversity and could see things from the viewpoint of others.
The fourth stage is the formal operation stage experienced from 12 and above years. The individuals begin to think abstractly and try to solve hypothetical issues (Scott & Cogburn, 2023). They consider political, social, ethical, moral, and philosophical issues. At this stage, I started understanding the significance of politics, and I could plan for future events.
Nature versus Nurture
The nature versus nurture debate is an interesting two-way view of the events in the world. Nature argues that genes and other hereditary factors can shape an individual’s development from childhood to adulthood (Sravanti, 2017). On the contrary, nurture consists of the environmental factors that impact an individual’s development. Nurture includes childhood experiences, social interactions, and culture. For example, the nurture versus nature debate may be seen when trying to determine the skill of a talented musician: Is the skill inborn or acquired from the environment?
Nurture and nature impacted my childhood in various ways. As reported by my caregiver, I began talking fluently at one year old; people used nature and nurture to try and explain my early language development. Whether I acquired my language skills from genetic factors or learning from my siblings was debatable. Thus, the two aspects are vital in shaping childhood experiences.
Also, the two aspects influenced my adolescent period. During this period, I demonstrated high levels of academic excellence. To explain the success, people were torn between my genetics and the teachers. Therefore, nurture versus nature influenced my adolescent life.
Postformal Thought According to Perry
Perry argued that students in college years shift from dualism multiplicity to relativism. Dualism is the thinking that views things from two extremes, such as right and wrong (Palomar Community College, 2019). When I joined college, I believed that my tutors knew what was right and wrong. Then, I began believing that my tutors were right and others were wrong. Afterward, I began seeing uncertainties in the authorities. I began thinking that my tutors do not know an aspect, but people are trying to find out about it. From dualism, I transitioned to multiplicity.
Multiplicity acknowledges that some problems can be solved while others cannot (Palomar Community College, 2019). At this stage, I began to believe that everyone is entitled to their opinion, such as different tutors think differently. Also, I believe that things are relative but not equally reliable, and I have to make my decisions. Then, I shifted to relativism.
Relativism involves the understanding of the significance of the most specific context of knowledge (Palomar Community College, 2019). During this stage, I developed the first commitment and several commitments. The first commitment involved my specific thoughts about a topic. The several commitments involve my thoughts on various topics. Currently, I believe in my values, appreciate others, and learn constantly. I know I know my beliefs and what I think is valid. Also, I appreciate the views of others, and if they have enough evidence, I reconsider my views.
Adult Attachment and Relationships
In my adulthood, secure attachment has some strengths and challenges. The main strength is the ability to develop trusting and long-lasting relationships with others (Bosmans & Borelli, 2022). Also, I have high self-esteem and, thus, secure in my relationships. The main challenge is the lack of reciprocation from others. Some people, especially those with ambivalent attachment traits like reluctance to develop close relationships, fail to provide secure and stable, long-term relationships.
In my dyadic relationships, secure attachment plays a central role. I tend to select partners with whom we have things in common, such as hobbies. I have high self-esteem, so I am ready for intimacy with my partner. I share my feelings with my partner and friends; thus, I voice my opinion, ending up with stable and satisfactory relationships. Also, I am confident with high self-esteem; thus, I communicate effectively with my partnered friends (Bosmans & Borelli, 2022). Moreover, I hope for long-lasting relationships; thus, I am always ready to solve conflicts. In complex conflicts, I ask for social support to solve the conflicts.
Career Development Process: Super’s Approach
Based on Super’s Developmental theory, I am in the exploratory stage. I am engaging in activities that develop my vocational identity. I am still acquiring an education and preparing for a future career. Moreover, I am learning about myself, my skills, and my talents, furthering the development of these self-concepts. I apply what I learn by matching my self-concepts to appropriate career opportunities. To maintain the current stage, I should have a high level of natural curiosity (Broderick & Blewitt, 2019). The curiosity to find out and learn intrinsically motivates the exploratory stage. However, to grow to the next stage, the establishment stage, I must seek a job opportunity and increase my career-related responsibilities. This way, I will establish a stable job and work towards promotion.
Identity Development
Erickson’s psychosocial stages of development are relevant to my childhood. The first stage is known as trust versus mistrust, and it lasts from birth to 18 months. Children decide between trusting and not trusting their caregivers. I trusted my caregivers because they met my needs, like feeding me consistently(Orenstein & Lewis, 2022). The second stage is autonomy versus shame and doubt, starting from 18 months to 3 years. The children try to find out if they can perform activities independently or if they rely on the help of others (Orenstein & Lewis, 2022). I was autonomous because my caregivers allowed me to make decisions like choosing my clothes. The third stage is initiative versus guilt, which occurs from 3 to 5 years. Children try to find out if they are good or bad with the virtue of purpose. I developed initiative because my caregivers allowed me to plan and lead events like playdates (Orenstein & Lewis, 2022). The fourth stage is industry versus inferiority, which begins from 6-11 years. The children are driven by competency to find ways to be good. When I found mathematics hard, my parents dedicated time to the couch and encouraged me; thus, I developed a sense of industry. The fifth stage is known as identity versus role confusion, which starts from 12 to 18 years. The main virtue is fidelity, and adolescents try to understand their identity (Orenstein & Lewis, 2022). During adolescence, I achieved my identity aspects like clothes; thus, I developed identity and not inferiority. Success at each stage facilitated my transition to the next one.
Currently, I am in the intimacy versus isolation stage from 18 to 40 years. The main virtue is love, and young adults wonder if they will ever be loved or remain alone (Orenstein & Lewis, 2022). I managed the crisis by forming meaningful relationships with friends and family acquiring intimacy. If I want to transition to the next stage, I must begin caring for the world. The next stage, generativity versus stagnation, requires investing to benefit society or future generations.
Faith Development
Four or seven of Fowler’s Stages of Faith and Identity are relevant to my childhood and adolescent development processes. Stage 0 is the primal undifferentiated faith from birth to 2 years. At this point, children trust consistent and comforting parents, while inconsistent and neglectful parents lead to mistrust (Mallery & Mallery, 2022). During this stage, I trusted my caregivers because they consistently cared for me. Stage 1 is the intuitive-projective faith from 3 to 7 years. Children develop experiential faith through stories and the influence of others. At this stage, I developed faith in religious books and attended church with my parents (Mallery & Mallery, 2022). Stage 2 is the mythic-literal faith from 7 to 12 years. At this point, children believe in justice in religious issues. At this stage, I believe that doing good will have good outcomes, while doing wrong will have awful outcomes (Mallery & Mallery, 2022). Stage 3 is the synthetic-conventional faith from 12 years to adulthood. At this point, adolescents identify with religious institutions and aim for spiritual growth (Mallery & Mallery, 2022). During this stage, I joined the youth fellowship growth for spiritual growth. The fellowship guided many aspects of life, such as sexual responsibility.
Personality and Temperament
The Big 5 personality traits are relevant in my adulthood. The openness trait focuses on insight and imagination (Jawinski et al., 2021). I am high on openness because I am creative, open to new experiences, tackling new challenges, and excited about abstract issues. The conscientiousness trait emphasizes impulse control, thoughtfulness, and goal-directed behaviors (Jawinski et al., 2021). I am high on conscientiousness because I plan, finish tasks on time, focus on details, and enjoy having a schedule. Extraversion is characterized by sociability, excitability, assertiveness, talkativeness, and extensive emotional expressiveness (Jawinski et al., 2021). I am low on extraversion because I prefer solitude, I am exhausted on social occasions, and being at the center of attention is exhausting. Agreeableness includes trust, kindness, altruism, and affection (Jawinski et al., 2021). I am high on agreeableness because I care for others, I feel empathy for others, and enjoy participating in charity activities. Neuroticism is characterized by moodiness, sadness, and emotional instability (Jawinski et al., 2021). I am low on neuroticism because I am emotionally stable, resilient in stressful situations, and rarely sad or depressed.
Culture, Religion, and Well-Being
The first meaningful concept from Chapter 14 is the meaning of life. There are four reasons why people seek meaning in life. First, people need to have a purpose for their lives to be meaningful. I always set goals to ensure a connection between my past, present, and future (Broderick & Blewitt, 2019). Secondly, meaning gives me a sense of control over my life. Thirdly, the sense of meaning helps me define what is right and what is wrong (Broderick & Blewitt, 2019). I draw guidance from the bible to avoid sinful activities to get everlasting life. Also, I believe in other concepts like forgiving others, which helps me get the forgiveness of God. Fourthly, a meaningful life is essential in developing my self-worth.
Another important concept from the chapter is the significance of religiosity. Religion is vital in providing social support to members, a critical component of well-being. In my life, religion is vital in fostering optimism and hope. When I lost a loved one, religion increased my happiness through social support, respect, purpose, and meaning.
Ending Well
I will grow old and experience terminal decline. In the years towards my death, I would experience a substantial gradual decline in cognitive functioning (Broderick & Blewitt, 2019). At this point, I would like to use my savings and admit myself to a nursing home to avoid being a burden to my children and grandchildren. Also, the nursing home will be a socialization opportunity with my age mates, promoting happiness towards the end of life. I would like my family to visit me monthly and ensure my physical and mental health needs are met effectively. I will attend church regularly and devote my life fully to God so that when I die, he receives me in heaven. I will give some of my wealth to charity projects like establishing schools in Africa to empower young people to take control of their lives. Then, one day, I will die silently in my bed without troubling anyone.
My eulogy will be brief to save people’s time. It will be “today we gather to honor the life of a loving and selfless person who devoted their life to serve others. The deceased touched the lives of many with their love, kindness, and dedication in meeting the needs of others. We hope that the deceased will rest well and God will receive them with open arms in heaven”.
References
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