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DEVELOPMENTAL ANALYSIS
Developmental Analysis
Andrea Wheeler
Liberty University
School of Behavioral Science, HSCO 502-B03
July 4th, 2024
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Personal Introduction of Personal Development-Childhood and Adolescence
Using developmental theories and concepts I will explain my own growth and
development throughout my personal childhood and adolescence. Completing this assignment
will enable me to use and apply the knowledge I have learned throughout this course. The
following theoretical perspectives of development will be discussed include: stage of
development according to Piaget, nature vs. nature, postformal thought according to Perry, adult
attachment and relationships, career development process: Super’s approach, identity
development, faith development, personality and temperament, culture, religion, and wellbeing,
and ending well. In each of these stages of development I will explain how each stage has
touched me and formed me into the person I am today.
I am a thirty-eight-year-old female that was born and raised in a small town outside of
Richmond, Virginia. From birth I lived with my mother, grandmother, and grandfather
throughout my childhood in a small, but loving home. I was the only child growing up in the
home and my mother never remarried or had other children. We always had what we needed and
most of what we wanted but were not rich. My grandmother was a homemaker so I never had to
go to a babysitter or daycare, and I was fortunate to have her and my grandfather who retired
when I was in elementary school to care for me while my mother was at work. I attended nursery
school within my church, and then public school in my small town beginning in kindergarten.
During my school years my family was very involved with functions, activities, and outside
sports in which I was involved.
As I moved into adolescence I was big into participating in sports such as cheering, roller
skating, and softball and enjoyed being part of my church’s youth group. This continued into
later adolescence where I began traveling for softball and skating competitions. Many of these
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events were made into small family getaways and adventures that I have wonderful memories of.
My grandparents and mother were always consistent and huge supporters throughout my
childhood, adolescence, and beyond.
Theoretical Prospective of Development
Stage of Development according to Piaget
According to Broderick & Blewitt, 2020, Piaget assumed that normal adults are capable
of thinking logically about concrete and abstract contents but that this capacity happens in four
stages throughout childhood. The second stage, known as the preoperational stage occurs from
two to around six or seven years of age. During the preoperational stage in my life I was blessed
to have a mother and grandparents that worked with me to help me develop my language and
thoughts. In addition to working with me themselves, I was part of a wonderful church family
and attended nursery school with other children my age to play with and relate to.
As I grew older and moved into the third stage, known as the concrete operational stage
that occurs from around seven years old to eleven or twelve years old was attending the public-
school system, taking part in group activities and sports, and beginning to take part in my
church’s youth program. ”According to Piaget, developmental progress depends on children’s
active engagement with the environment” (Broderick & Blewitt, 2020, p. 13). The fourth and
final stage begins around twelve years old, continues throughout adulthood, and is known as the
formal operational stage. During this time, I was still attending public school, taking part of
group sports and activities, traveling, with love and support from many friends and family which
allowed me to develop into the person I am today.
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Nature versus Nurture
“Developmental researchers acknowledge that both nature and nurture influence most
behavioral outcomes, but in the past, they have often focused primarily on one or the other,
partly because a research enterprise that examines multiple causes at the same time tends to be a
massive undertaking” (Broderick & Blewitt, 2020, p. 21). Throughout my life my development
has been shaped by genetic factors and environmental influences all around me. Through nature,
and genetic factors I was given a foundation of abilities and positive personality that has allowed
me to form and maintain positive relationships and be successful in life.
Through a nurturing and loving family and environment I have had a positive foundation
built from a young age. In addition to family, I have had supportive teachers, coaches, and
friends that have provided opportunities and pushed me to be the best version of myself. These
nurturing relationships that began when I was of a young age have carried over into my adult life
where I now try to be a positive role model to my children and other youth throughout my
community.
Postformal Thought According to Perry
“Perry constructed a sequence of nine “positions,” or stages, ranging from extreme
dualistic thinking to high levels of personally committed beliefs” (Broderick & Blewitt, 2020, p.
440). As I have navigated through these stages I have personally grown by becoming more
flexible, developing critical thinking skills, and handling unexpected situations when they arise.
Over the years I have had to adapt to many changes, allowing me to become more flexible with
my schedule and see things from different perspectives. I have had to develop important critical
thinking skills to communicate with others effectively within my life and profession. Uncertainty
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and unexpected events are something that throughout life we are faced with in many different
ways, as I have grown through the years I have learned to be more accepting of things that are
out of my control or that I can not change.
Adult Attachment & Relationships
According to Broderick & Blewitt, 2020, attachments are a special kind of bond. During
my childhood and beyond I shared a special bond with my mother and grandparents. From the
day that I can remember they showed me love and cared for me, always making me their
priority. “Attachment begins with the relationship between child and caregiver in the early period
and, depending on the quality of this relationship, a person develops mental models toward the
self and others” (Uluyol & Ozen-Ciplak, 2024). Through my bringing up I feel that I have
developed a secure attachment prototype. “In Bartholomew’s typology, secure individuals have
internalized a positive sense of themselves along with positive models of others” (Broderick &
Blewitt, 2020, p.471). Growing up with a mother and grandparents I could always count on
allowed me to develop a sense of trust and comfort that carried over into adulthood. My view of
myself and others and overall outlook on life is positive.
As an adult I sometimes struggle with helping others and never feeling like I can do
enough. I sometimes find myself becoming to involved in other people’s problems, but for good
reasons and always with good intentions. I have learned that sometimes we have to take a step
back and distance ourselves from situation where others may not be accepting of help and to be
patient until they are ready. This challenge was one that I faced within my marriage. My ex-
husband that I met at eight-teen years old, married, and had two children with was insecure,
abusive, and eventually began struggling with addition. There was no amount of help I could
give until he was ready, which unfortunately still has not happened. We have been divorced for
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eight years, my children are happy and healthy, and time has healed many wounds that once hurt.
Even today I am grateful for meeting my ex-husband, him giving me my two wonderful children,
and wish him the very best. Should he ever decide that he is ready to get help, I would be there to
lend a helping hand, no questions asked.
Career Development Process: Super’s Approach
When I was younger and in the exploratory stage I explored and was open to many
different fields of work. Right out of high school I completed a medical systems administration
degree, and then attended nursing school where I completed my Licensed Practical Nursing
(LPN) degree. I worked in different aspects of the medical field and was in the implementation
stage for many years before landing at a Private Day School for children with autism and special
needs.
At thirty years old I decided to go back to school to become a special education teacher
and within three years had completed my degree. I have worked as a case manager/special
education teacher for the last few years in the establishment stage and recently decided to further
my education even further by working towards a master’s degree. “When individuals meet
achievement challenges, the most direct solution is to actively change the current situation to
complete the goal” (Chen & Hung, 2022). Career development can be a journey with many
twists and turns and unexpected outcomes for many of us, it certainly was for me. “It serves as
both a source and an outgrowth of an individual’s overall personal growth” (Broderick &
Blewitt, 2020, p. 481)
Identity Development
From infancy onward, children face new tasks in each “stage” of development that help
them to see themselves in new ways that motivate their behavior” (Broderick & Blewitt, 2020, p.
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366). Over the course of infancy and early childhood I had many positive and loving
experiences. Looking back, I do not remember many negative moments from my early
childhood. As I became older I faced some physical challenges that required me to have multiple
surgeries on my left ear which caused me to miss many important events and school. I remember
in middle school having a difficult time catching up missed work from school. Not being able to
attend school for long periods of time, having to sit out of gym, and loosing time in sports was
difficult on me emotionally during this time. Some of my friendships suffered over the course of
my sickness as I lost time with peers and some were not understanding about my situation.
Faith Development
My faith development throughout childhood and adolescence was primarily influenced
by my mother and grandparents. We all attended Church on Sunday morning and quite often for
Wednesday night dinner and service. I attended the Church’s nursery school from a young age
and eventually transitioned into attending youth group. It was in church that I met many of my
peers and developed positive relationships. “While the role that peers play in exposure to new
ways of thinking and systems of belief is often crucial in faith development, there are also those
adolescents who likely encounter faith via some other mechanism during this time, whether this
be through experience, music, literature, or other cultural media that alerts them to a new way of
being in the world” (Jones, 2022) At a young age I was only following what I knew and saw my
family and people around me doing, as I became older I began to develop my own feelings and
outlook about my faith. What I learned as a child has stayed with me and instilled positive
values into my adult life.
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Personality & Temperament
My childhood and adolescence shaped my personality and temperament that I have as an adult
today. I see myself as an extrovert and someone who focuses my attention on things outside of
myself. Growing up in a home that was quiet, loving, had a positive outlook, and great
temperament carried over into my childhood, adolescence, and has remained with me throughout
adulthood. I have developed many personality traits that I saw in my grandparents and mother
throughout the years. Some of these traits include being open and honest, even if the truth might
hurt it is always better to be honest in the long run. I also set goals and expectations for myself
and work hard to reach and obtain them. Not only does this make me feel better personally, but it
is showing my children and others that look up to me just as my family modeled this behavior for
me. “Regardless of personality characteristics, social relationships appear to be essential
ingredients of well-being” (Broderick & Blewitt, 2020, p.561)
Culture, Religion, and Well-being
“When people feel supported by family, friends, and community they weather life’s
difficulties more effectively” (Broderick & Blewitt, 2020, p. 562). I can whole heartedly relate to
this, and do my best to make others around me feel loved and supported in any way that I can.
This is true with my family, friends, in my occupation, and throughout my community,
regardless of the person’s background or culture. I am drawn to those in need and want to do
whatever I can to help them and make them feel supported.
“A wide variety of converging evidence links the quality and quantity of social
relationships with life satisfaction in adulthood” (Broderick & Blewitt, 2020, p. 561). Social
relationships are something that has always been important me to, both as a child growing up and
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today. I value my relationships with others, always being available when someone is in need,
lending a helping hand or even just being someone to listen if that is what they should need.
Ending Well
When it is my time to go, I hope that there is no suffering, I am in comfort, and die with
dignity. I want my loved ones to know that they mean then absolute world to me and I hope that
they follow in my path of helping others, just as I did with my grandparents and mother. I want
to be remembered as someone that was positive and always willing to help others in their time of
need.
“(In the same way, let your light shine before others,Ethat they may see your good deedsEand
glorifyEyour Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16, NIV)
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References:
Broderick, P. C., & Blewitt, P. (2020). The lifespan: Human development for helping
professionals. Fifth edition. Copyright (pearson.com)
Uluyol, F. M., & Ozen-Ciplak, A. (2024). Dyadic relationship of adult attachment patterns and
interpersonal schemas in marital adjustment: Actor-partner effected model. Family Relations, 73
(3), 2152-2169. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.13002
Chen, C., & Hung, C. (2022). Plan and then act: The moderated moderation effects of
professions identity and action control for students at arts universities during the career
development process. Healthcare (Basel), 10(10), 1938.
https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10101938
Jones, B. (2022). Reimagining Fowler’s stages of faith: Shifting from a seven stage to a four step
framework for faith development. Journal of Beliefs & Values, 44(2), 159–172.
https://doi.org/10.1080/13617672.2022.2047557
(2024). Bible Gateway. New International Version. BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in
over 150 versions and 50 languages.
