People can react differently to the same event, since each has its own set of factors. One of the most important studies is studying age psychology, which takes into account different aspects of development.
The concept of age in psychology
For a more complete analysis of the development of personality, a gradation is adopted for life stages. They can be considered in the framework of 4 approaches to the evaluation of lived years.
- Biological - is based on the formation of the body.
- Psychological - based on the nuances of behavior.
- The social age is in psychology the degree of acceptance of public roles and functions.
- Physical- evaluates only the amount of time lived.
From the point of view of biology, one can divide the life path into the following stages:
- children - up to 16 years;
- young men - 16-21 years;
- mature - up to 60 years;
- the elderly - from 60 years.
Childhood Psychology
Models of behavior for later life are laid almost from conception. Because of this, children's age psychology focuses on providing maximum positive examples. Modern researchers believe that the child begins to know the world before his birth, therefore, kindergarten teachers are engaged in the completion of primary education, and only parents are responsible for the basics.
There is an opinion that children under the age of 3 only absorb what is happening, and when they reach a turning-point age they are already trying to influence the world around them. This is marked by the beginning of the formation of rules of conduct. Then the changes in the early age psychology acquire a greater depth, and the ability to comprehend incoming signals appears. At the age of 5, children are interested in the causes of events, at this moment fears are born.
After entering the school there is another profound change associated with the discovery of new landmarks. Naive perception is still preserved, but with it an understanding of the basics of interaction begins to appear. Little by little, children come to the awareness of individuality and the desire to express it. It is important for parents to support, guide the impact.
Psychology of adolescence
During this period, the desire to prove oneself and to prove independence reaches its peak. Juvenile age age psychology finds it difficult because of the duality of the situation: a person can already make informed decisions, but he still needs the care of relatives and their guiding influence. The desire to get a maximum out of life is mixed with a fatalistic attitude. Age psychology recommends at this time to build a special line of conduct so that a person does not feel restricted by freedom and can perceive advice.
Psychology of Mature Age
For this period, there is a flowering of vitality and several crises. Age psychology, mature age, considers the central stage, during which there is a chance and to wag the surrounding people, and continue their own development. Forces have already been prepared for the jump in the spiritual, intellectual, creative fields, and there is a real interest in this.
Among positive moments, age psychology calls the opportunity to pass on knowledge to the younger generation, reinforcing the sense of self-worth. In an unfavorable situation, there comes a time of stagnation, devastation, immersion in crisis reflections. Maturity is characterized by a sense of stability, which is mixed with persistent questions about the correctness of the choice made and the realization of its potential.
Psychology of the elderly
During aging, changes occur at all levels. Deterioration of health, retirement, narrowing of the circle of communication lead to the development of a feeling of uselessness. Because of the reduced ability to adapt, a large amount of free time contributes to apathy, reduces the desire to learn something new. Help at this time can have a close, giving the chance for an old man to feel again useful.
After 60 years, the attitude towards life changes, people pay less attention to appearance, focusing on health and inner state. The value of life rises, calmness and discretion appear. The weakening of control shows features that were previously hidden, so it is often noted that the character of an elderly person has dramatically changed for the worse.
Age psychology - crises
At each stage of development, a person has to overcome internal contradictions or age-related crises. Through such milestones pass all, but some are experiencing serious difficulties with the successful transition to a new stage of adulthood. Age psychology deals with the study of such crises, assigning to each step of development from one to five marks. The most famous are crises of 3, 7, 13, 17, 30 and 40 years.
The crisis of 3 years in a child - age psychology
Age crises in children do not have clear boundaries, the stage "I myself" begins about 3 years, but now more often its bar shifts to 2 years. At this point, the child increasingly abandons the support of adults, trying their own strength. He becomes capricious and stubborn, parents have to negotiate with them about things that were previously performed at the request. The reasons for such changes are sufficient for the development of simple functions, increasing cognitive interest and finding opportunities to influence the environment.
The child sees that in many cases he does not need the help of adults and in his self-confidence tries to give it up altogether. Hence the desire to do everything in defiance of parents who try to limit his independence. Often children try to assert their worth, without letting their mother out of the house, demanding not to touch his toys. If there are several children, then jealousy also arises, because they have to share their power.
Age psychology - crisis in a child of 7 years
The next change in character is connected with entering school, by this time the child begins to understand the existence of social roles and try them on himself. Crises of childhood signify the realization of autonomy. In 3 years it concerned only the physical plan, and the first-grader starts to understand that his inner world is independent of his parents. The child begins to realize the existence of responsibility, he can play only after fulfilling his academic duties.
At this age, the body also changes, which opens up new opportunities. A child can not believe that he was once completely helpless and believed in fairy tales. Therefore, previously favorite toys are thrown out so as not to see reminders of that time. There is an interest in everything new and incomprehensible, which gives rise to jealousy for parental solitude and quiet conversations because of suspicions that the most important information is hidden from him. It is time to learn self-control to properly express thoughts and to restrain too strong reactions.
Age psychology - crisis of 13 years
This is a crisis of adolescence , during which there is a new level of thinking based on logic. Authoritative statements are no longer sufficient, any opinion requires evidence that will be compared with one's own feelings. There is an interest in philosophical questions, abstraction becomes more comprehensible, therefore among all kinds of arts music becomes the most interesting. Among the negative manifestations there may be a desire for loneliness, discontent and anxiety.
Age psychology - crisis of 17 years
The process of transition to adulthood involves many obstacles, one of which is the crisis of adolescence. At this stage, the final acceptance of their social role, coupled with the choice of profession. Some teenage disturbances still remain, a markedly stronger desire to prove independence, to try their hand at finding evidence of their worth.
Age psychology - crisis 30 years
Gradually, the youthful pattern of behavior ceases to be convincing, opening up a new age crisis. There comes an understanding of the presence of a well-trodden road, there are doubts about its correctness, there may be an awareness of missed opportunities. Often during this period there is a change of priorities, people are striving to achieve stability. When it is impossible to improve their situation, depressive conditions , insomnia, chronic fatigue, anxiety increase.
Age psychology - crisis of 40 years
Psychology, the crisis of the age of forty looks like a turning point in life. This time of maximum development of their qualities, a person feels completely fulfilled, ceases to be open to the new. This crisis occurs in the case of unresolved problems for 30 years, forcing again to seek the meaning of existence. Quite often mixed careers and family problems, explained by the termination of support for children and older relatives, work no longer brings satisfaction.