Critically Analyze which major theory/theories explains your development most and use

examples to illustrate your arguments

Student’s Name

Institution Affiliation

Course

Instructor’s Name

Date
 Critically Analyze which major theory/theories explains your development most and use

examples to illustrate your arguments

Personal development is influenced by how the mind and surrounding influences one’s

behavior. It is also a way for one to explain and expound how their mind processes the world and

the various occurrences it experiences and perceives. Psychologists and sociologists argue that

both nature and nurture impact our development (Abbott, 2021). Some argue that we are as a

result of the relationships we have with people while, others argue that we are as a result of our

genetics. These developments make us unique and create various personalities. However,

personalities change over time and we do not experience ourselves the same always. Our

personalities also manifest depending on how we see the world in our minds and how it actually

is (Tetzner, et al., 2023). Over the years, I have developed both socially and morally through

social interactions. Altogether, there are various theories explaining my development including,

Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development, Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, and

Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive development.

Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development emphasizes on how people learn what the

society terms as good or bad. Mathes (2021) explains that moral development prevents people

from behaving uncouthly and out of character. The society already has rules and laws governing

people and hence, they have to act in accordance. Kohlberg developed this theory in three stages

including, preconventional, conventional, and postconventional (Ahmeti & Ramadani, 2021).

During the preconventional stage, children experience life through their lenses. Then during the

conventional stage, they start to experience life while also learning about other people’s feelings

and how their actions affect them. Finally, during the conventional stage, people start to fight for

these rights while understanding that morality is not always legal. I have experienced these
stages from when I did not care for other people to now, when I fight for our rights. Initially as a

teenager, I did not fully understand the complexities of my actions and their consequences.

However, as I have grown up, I have fully understood what morality is and how its different

factors impact the kind of person I am. Additionally, I have developed to understand that not

everything that is legal is moral and that some laws are implemented to maintain law and order.

Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development have also influenced and impacted my

personality development. This theory explains the various triggers that shape us during different

stages of development (Maree, 2022). For instance, an infant learns if they can trust their primary

caregiver to provide for their needs (Jones & Waite-Stupiansky, 2022). Based on the outcome,

they are either hopeful and loving or not. They either draw closer to their caregiver or stay

guided. Similarly, as a young adult, I am faced with intimacy vs isolation. I crave for personal

and meaningful relationships which will fulfill my life. I do this in hope that I will find love and

not be lonely. Over the years, I have come out of my shell to create meaningful relationships

with my family and friends. I am enjoying spending time with my family as opposed to my

adolescent years where I wanted to always be alone. In addition, I have become more curious

and want to explore my identity, likes, and dislikes. I am beginning to love new activities such as

swimming and taking walks. Previously, I enjoyed listening to music and staying in my room.

Therefore, different triggers at different stages in my life have impacted my development and

enabled me to experience myself wholesomely.

Moreover, Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive development explain how differently I think now

from when I was younger. Pakpahan & Saragih (2022) explain that children think differently

from adults. They also explain that development occurs in different stages that are age related. A

child aged two years learns through movement and progresses to the next step. These stages
cannot be skipped and are sequential (Pedapati, 2022). I have problem solving skills and logical

thinking, skills I did not possess when I was younger. I am in a better position to come up with

logical and befitting solutions. For example, I had a challenge with dealing with one of my

friends who was going through something. I sat down and made a decision to have a candid talk

with them and find a solution. They were reluctant but I made it possible and was patient with

them. If this was two years ago, I would not be as patient as I was and would not understand their

perspective. I would also not reason with them and come up with a solution. I am at the stage of

Piaget’s development where I understand hypothetical and logical thinking, hence come up with

solutions. I am also able to sequentially understand the challenge and break it down step by step.

Ultimately, I have experienced massive development both socially and morally. My

personality has changed from when I was younger to now and will continue to change.

Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development has explained why I was ignorant of behaviors that I

now have rectified. This theory has explained how one grows from viewing their life from their

lenses, to understanding various behaviors and consequences. It has also explained why the

society has to have laws that determine actions as bad or good. Further, Erikson’s stages of

psychosocial development have shaped my development by helping me understand my triggers

and how I respond to them. It explains that at every stage we have desires that trigger our

development. For example, as a young adult, I crave belonging and meaningful connections,

hence I have become more extroverted. Finally, Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive development has

explained that development occurs in stages and is age related. This theory explains that

development is accommodating as it enables one to fit new information into the already existing

one. I have grown and developed from an impatient person to a patient and problem solver. l I
can now listen and develop befitting solutions and advice. Therefore, these theories have mostly

impacted my development positively.

Abbott, T. (2021). Social and personality development. Routledge.

Ahmeti, K., & Ramadani, N. (2021). Determination of Kohlberg’s moral development stages and

chronological age. International Journal of Social and Human Sciences, 8(15-16), 37-48.

Jones, E., & Waite-Stupiansky, S. (2022). The Eriksons' Psychosocial Developmental Theory. In

Theories of early childhood education (pp. 34-49). Routledge.

Maree, J. G. (2022). The psychosocial development theory of Erik Erikson: critical overview.

The influence of theorists and pioneers on early childhood education, 119-133.

Mathes, E. W. (2021). An evolutionary perspective on Kohlberg’s theory of moral development.

Current Psychology, 40(8), 3908-3921.

Pakpahan, F. H., & Saragih, M. (2022). Theory of cognitive development by Jean Piaget.

Journal of Applied Linguistics, 2(1), 55-60.

Pedapati, K. (2022). Piagetian and Vygotskian concepts of cognitive development: A review.

Indian Journal of Mental Health, 9(3), 227-239.

Tetzner, J., Becker, M., & Bihler, L. M. (2023). Personality development in adolescence:

Examining big five trait trajectories in differential learning environments. European

Journal of Personality, 37(6), 744-764.