child psychology

Child development is a fascinating thing to observe. It is very challenging in some; while others it comes along naturally. The way a child develops can be determined by a number of factors. Their environment and biological inheritance can be the common denominator to their development. Have you ever wondered what makes Uncle Sam, or Uncle Joe who they are? What determines whether your son, daughter, niece, nephew, or even neighbor who they will become when they grow up. Prior to taking this class I never took the time to really think why some people the way they are are. The Boston bombers did not just wake up one day and say that they were going to plan an attack to hurt or even kill thousands of people, their childhood development determined what route they would take. As we see the people who are around us, we judge their character off of their behavior. The behavior determines who we think they are. There are many different development theories available that states different concepts of human development, but the three main theories that are mainly known are from Sigmund Freud, Erik Erickson, and Jean Piaget. Although many believe that their theories are old and outdated many psychologist use their theories to base theirs on. In this paper I will explain their theories in detail, provide examples of their use in the mental health treatment of children, and compare and contrast them starting with Mr. Sigmund Freud. Sigmund Freud was the founder of psychoanalysis and proved to be the most influential writer about the unconscious mind in the twentieth century. (Freud, 2005) Freud was a doctor with a degree. He also set up a private practice to treat psychological disorders such as hysteria; from his patients came the evidence used for many of his theories about human psychology. (Freud, 2005). Freud believed that the behavior that one portrays is based off of their early development. His research shows that an adult’s childhood can explain the behavior of