Mason Paul

Life Span & Development

Shannon Flynt
April 24th, 2016
Reflective Writing Signature Assignment
The view of lifespan human development perspective is an approach to the study of
human development that takes into account all phases of life, not just childhood or adulthood.
We seek to understand how, and why people change over time. It is important for us to
understand, and view life this way because each phase of life is different. For instance the
difference in decisions between adolescence, and middle adults are different. An adolescent
might choose something more risky, and daring, but as they mature into a middle adult that risk,
and adrenaline is outweighed by how dangerous the decision could potentially be. Also as we
are able to learn more about individuals, and the different stages of life we can understand what
people are going through at each stage of life, and seek to be more patient, and understanding.
Also we can learn more as we study this perspective in order to help kids, adults, seniors or
whoever transition into the next stage of development, and we can do this without hindering
them, or causing damage that could potentially have a long term effect. I am grateful for this
class it has helped me to gain a little more understanding, and perspective to improve my
relationships with those that are in different phases of development, and also to understand
what people with psychological struggles go through.

With all these things being said I want to focus my topic of discussion upon Psychosocial
Development, and specifically talk about depression. I want to focus on this because it was the
most interesting topic for me to learn about, and study. Without being to personal, my family has
had some serious struggles with this specific psychological disorder, and I have a very hard time
understanding what they go through because I do not have the same problem. I often times get
frustrated, and say things that offend them because of my lack of understanding. First off
depression is a deep sadness and hopelessness that disrupts all normal, regular activities.
These feelings usually have to last for two weeks, or more before they can be clinically
depressed (Berger pg. 377). I have often felt that depression was something that could easily be
overcome by squaring your shoulders, and more positive thinking, but upon further investigation,
and research I have learned that is not necessarily true. Genes remain the same as age
increases. This means that seriously depressed adolescents cannot be promised youll be
better soon depression may ease, but it rarely disappears completely (Huang, 2010). These are
interesting concepts that helped me to be more open minded, and understanding of people who
have been struggling in my family with this mental disorder. I also have learned that there are
ways to help them as they struggle. I have learned that validation, love, support, and also
sometimes pushing them to be active can help them in there daily struggles. I know that as they
continue to deal with these things they may become better at handling there depressive feelings,
but it never will truly go away. I am happy to have studied concepts concerning the life span and
development this semester it was very beneficial, and interesting to me.

Works Cited

Berger, Kathleen Stassen. "Chapter 10 Adolescence: Psychosocial Development." Invitation

to the Life Span. 2nd ed. N.p.: Worth, 2014. 377. Print.