Developmental Theories
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DEVELOPMENTAL THEORIES 4
Developmental Theories
Student Name: Luis S. Cabrera
Course Name: Family Psychiatric Ment.Hlth I
Course Number: NU-664C-03-22
Instructor’s Name: Nicole Walters
Institution: Regis College
Date of Submission: 1/11/2022
Developmental theories
Understanding and applying developmental theories is one of the most essential aspects of the PMHNP role. Thus, it is crucial for psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners to effectively understand these theories to promote their utilization in practice. Piaget’s cognitive theory is one of the major developmental theories that focuses mainly on the development of an individual’s thought processes (Babakr, Mohamedamin & Kakamad, 2019). Specifically, the theory focuses on how the thought processes affect or influences the understanding and interaction of an individual with the world (McLeod, 2018). This cognitive theory seeks to describe and explain the steps and sequence of an individual’s intellectual development (McLeod, 2018).
According to this theory, the sensorimotor stage is the initial stage of development that is characterized by simple and limited motor responses that are associated with sensory stimuli, and it occurs in children aged two years and below (McLeod, 2018). During this stage, the child’s knowledge of the environment is limited to their motor activities and sensory perceptions while their behaviors are also limited to the motor responses associated with sensory stimuli (Carpendale, Lewis & Müller, 2019). The pre-operational stage is the second stage of development that usually occurs in children aged between two and six years. This stage is characterized by learning the use of language among children. However, children in this stage do not understand the mental manipulation of information or concrete logic, and they are unable to comprehend the viewpoints of other individuals (McLeod, 2018). The concrete operational stage is the third stage of development that occurs in children aged between seven and eleven years. During this stage, the children can carry out mental operations, and they start to think logically concerning events (McLeod, 2018). However, children in this stage experience various difficulties in understanding or comprehending hypothetical concepts. Formal operational is the fourth stage that occurs between the age of twelve years up to adulthood. Individuals in this stage can think logically and plan their events systematically. This stage is associated with the development of the various skills that include; deductive reasoning, logical thought as well as systematic planning (McLeod, 2018).
According to this theory, interruptions that may occur in any of the developmental stages may affect the achievement of specific goals associated with each stage leading to developmental and behavioral problems (McLeod, 2018). For instance, interruptions that may occur in the concrete operation stage might affect the child’s ability to think logically and solve problems. Each of these stages has its vulnerabilities that might affect an individual’s development and behavior and increases the likelihood of developing mental health problems. Some of the developmental vulnerabilities that might lead to the development of mental problems include; negative cognitive style and dysfunctional attitudes.
References
Babakr, Z. H., Mohamedamin, P., & Kakamad, K. (2019). Piaget's Cognitive Developmental Theory: Critical Review. Education Quarterly Reviews, 2(3), 517-524.
Carpendale, J. I., Lewis, C., & Müller, U. (2019). Piaget's Theory. The Encyclopedia of Child and Adolescent Development, 1-11.
McLeod, S. (2018). Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development. Simply Psychology, 1-9.