Human Growth and Development

When asking “Who am I?”, people consider three aspects of the self: 1.​ Individual self: What we think of ourselves and who we are. 2.​ Relational self: The roles and relationships with others, such as being a father or sister. 3.​ Collective self: The social grounds we identify with, such as a religion or occupation. Self-Theories Different theories explain how people adjust to life changes and aging: ●​ Continuity Theory: People try to maintain their habits, values, and relationships as they age, striving for stability. ●​ Activity Theory: Staying physically, socially, and mentally active promotes better mental and physical health. ●​ Disengagement Theory: Suggests that aging involves gradually withdrawing from social roles to prepare for later life. ●​ Kahn’s Model of Successful Aging: Highlights that successful aging is about balancing health, well-being, and engagement, not just avoiding illness or slowing down. These theories help explain how individuals experience aging, identity, and social connections throughout life.

Infancy and Early Childhood (Birth-5 years)

Childhood and Adolescence (5-18 years)

Pre-Reflective Self: In the first year, infants begin to differentiate themselves from others, recognizing familiar faces and voices, and showing distress when caregivers leave. Social Mirroring: Caregivers help solidify the infant’s sense of self by reflecting their emotions and actions, fostering emotional understanding and a sense of agency. Self-Recognition : Around 18-24 months, toddlers achieve self-recognition, demonstrated by the " rouge test ." If a child, upon seeing a red mark on their cheek in a mirror, attempts to wipe it off, it indicates self-awareness.

Self-Esteem and Social Comparison: As children start school, they shape their self-esteem through peer interactions, evaluating themselves based on performance, acceptance, and competence. Development of a Narrative Self: Through storytelling and social interactions, children create a personal narrative that integrates their experiences, values, and aspirations. Identity Exploration (Adolescence): Teens deepen self-discovery by experimenting with roles, beliefs, and identities, often facing peer influences and conflicts with parental expectations.

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