Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Growth and development are used together as if they are one concept; is this accurate?

They are actually two separate terms and relate to two distinct aspects of change that a human experiences. “Growth” refers to the physical changes that take place in the body (e.g., increases in height and weight), and “development” refers to the mental, emotional, and social capabilities of the individual. In the simplest terms, one would summarize: growth = body, and development = mind.

What is the difference between “physical,” “cognitive,” and “psychosocial”?

“Physical” refers to the growth of the body and is used to chart an individual’s growth measurements in comparison to a predetermined norm; when readings are outside the norm, this alerts the health care worker to further evaluate to determine if intervention is required. “Cognitive” and “psychosocial” are both components of development. Cognitive refers to the intellect (i.e., problem solving, knowledge), and psychosocial refers to the emotions (i.e., attitude, relationships).

How can I use Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development when raising my own children?

The stages can be used as a guide to increase one’s awareness of a child’s psychosocial needs. With this knowledge, situations can be handled in ways that will best assist the child to successfully meet each of the steps in his or her development.

Why is it necessary to break Later Adulthood into three subcategories? None of the others have breakdowns?

In Erickson’s study he used only one title of Later Adulthood for all adults past Middle Adulthood. This age group is living longer and spanning a greater range of years than ever before. When the age of death was between 65 and 75 years, this may have been more appropriate. With the current trend of many individuals living into their 90s or 100s, it will be interesting to see how new research will address these life stage issues.

My grandmother died a few years ago after a long battle with cancer, but I could not even imagine being able to talk to her about her death. It just seems so inappropriate to remind people they are dying.

This is a frequent feeling of families and friends who are around someone who is dying. People who are dying may experience extreme feelings of loneliness, even when surrounded by family, if they have no one to whom they can express their fears and thoughts. People who are dying know they are dying, but will not discuss their feelings if they sense discomfort in their loved ones, so it becomes a conspiracy of silence. One way of dealing with this uneasiness is to examine one’s own feelings of discomfort that prevent an openness to what is just another step in our lives, to die.