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Foundations Q & A Assignment
1. Describe (in your own words) what the textbook states about development being lifelong then
reflect on how you have experienced this yourself, or observed it in another person. Include at
least 5 complete sentences, and cite appropriately any ideas you include from our textbook.
According to our textbook, development can be described as lifelong because as we look at
our development, we are not restrained to just physical changes. It is easy to see that we
change in a variety of ways and there are outside forces that can play a part in that such as
geography, socioeconomic status, and relationally to name a few. These forces can influence
development because of how it can affect us in a variety of ways, such as, mentally,
emotionally, or even socially. (Cashion, et al., 2019). I have experienced this personally as I
relocated from living in the south my whole life to living in the Midwest. There were
definite social changes as I surrounded myself with people who had different views of work
ethic and non-negotiables in life. Another opportunity for growth that I had never been
exposed to was navigating seasonal depression; as a true, snowy winter was never prevalent
or probable in the south growing up. All these factors showed me that lifelong change is
possible, when you lean into it and look at the challenges as opportunities instead of
shortcomings.
2. How does our textbook describe spiritual development? Based on your personal experience
and observation do you agree that all humans are spiritual beings? Why or why not? Include at
least 5 complete sentences, and cite appropriately any ideas you include from our textbook.
Our textbook describes development as multidimensional, saying that would include the
spiritual side of our development as well. As humans, we seek after some element that will
connect us to a higher being on the basis of sacredness or a transcendence. (Cashion, et.,
2019). Using this statement as a base, I believe humans are spiritual beings regardless of
worldview. All creation is a product of the Creator, and we as humans are made in the image
of God. Because we are made in the image of God and He longs to commune with us, we are
ever growing and changing spiritual beings.
3. Choose a sentence from the textbook that you consider significant or interesting. Copy and
paste it in the box below. Include all required punctuation marks, and include an appropriate
APA citation.
“There are several reasons why each human being (even identical twins) is a unique
individual, possibly similar to, but never exactly like either of their parents.” (Cashion, et al.,
2019, p.43).
4. Rewrite in your own words (paraphrase) the sentence copied above (in #3). Include all
required punctuation marks, and include an appropriate APA citation. Remember that
paraphrasing involves completely rewriting in your own words. It is not correct to simply change
the order of words or to substitute words with similar meaning.
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Every human being is a unique individual (even identical twins) and there are several
reasons for this; but however similar they might be to their parents, they are never exactly
like them. (Cashion, et al., 2019).
5. Identify one developmental theorist and (in your own words) briefly describe an important
concept from his theory. Based on your experience and observation do you believe this concept
is valid? Why or why not? Include at least 5 complete sentences, and cite appropriately any ideas
you include from our textbook.
The development theorist that I selected is Erik Erikson. Erikson believed that a person’s
psychosocial development was a lifelong process that covers a person’s lifetime and occurs
in distinct stages. (Cashion, et al., 2019). I believe this is valid and evident throughout
childhood development, namely adolescence. Adolescence is argued to be the most
tumultuous time internally and externally on the human body, when the adolescent can
experience a full range of human emotion in seconds. The distinct stage of adolescence is
proof that there are stages of life that do not last forever, thankfully. We can also see
physical signs of aging out of a younger stage of our lives with graying hair and wrinkles in
our skin.
6. The textbook argues that life begins at conception. Reflect on how agreement with this
statement might influence one’s study of developmental psychology. Please include at least 5
complete sentences, and cite appropriately any ideas you include from our textbook. Note that
you are not required to agree with this position but the question must be answered within this
context.
The Bible says according to Jeremiah 1:5 that, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew
thee:…” (King James Bible, 1769/2017). Since I believe that life begins at conception, I have
an influenced filter of how I study developmental psychology. Believing this viewpoint will
have a student focused more on the growth stages of a fetus rather than solely infancy. It also
will influence the usage of birth control. For example, if someone with an anti-abortion
worldview believes that life begins at conception; taking a Plan B after sex is not an option.
7. Describe a concept from chapters 1 or 2 in our textbook that you found particularly surprising
or interesting. Explain why it was surprising or interesting to you. Is this concept important to
our study of human development? Why or why not. Please include at least 5 complete sentences,
and cite appropriately any ideas you include from our textbook.
A concept that was interesting to me was reading about Harry Harlow’s ethological
perspective. He studied the Rhesus monkey species in relation to the love bonds between
babies and their mothers by using some experimental frames. The conclusion of this study
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found that those bonds formed during infancy stretched deeper than just the mere need for
food to survive. (Cashion, et al., 2019). In my opinion, this underlines the need for proper
emotional development that is ongoing throughout our lives. Immediate physical needs such
as food, water, and shelter are not the only needs to be met in a human life. It was also
fascinating that love and nurturing actions strengthened this bond between infant and mother.
References
