Overview
This lecture covers Robert Havighurst’s Developmental Task Theory, explaining key developmental tasks at each life stage and their importance for personal and social growth.
Human Development and Developmental Task Theory
- Human development is the continuous pattern of change from conception to death, including both growth and decline.
- Havighurst’s theory breaks the lifespan into six stages: Infancy-Early Childhood, Middle Childhood, Adolescence, Early Adulthood, Middle Adulthood, and Later Maturity.
- Mastery of developmental tasks at each stage leads to happiness and future success; failure leads to difficulties in later stages.
Educational Theories and Developmental Tasks
- The developmental-task concept is a middle ground between the Theory of Freedom (child develops best when free) and Theory of Constraint (development through societal restraints).
- Developmental tasks arise from individual needs and societal expectations, assuming active interaction with the environment.
Sources of Developmental Tasks
- Tasks arise from physical maturation (e.g., puberty, menopause).
- Tasks emerge from personal sources, such as maturing personality and personal values.
- Tasks stem from societal pressures, like learning to read or being a responsible citizen.
Developmental Tasks by Life Stage
Infancy and Early Childhood (0-5 years)
- Learn to walk, talk, eat solid food, and control bodily functions.
- Learn sex differences, form concepts, develop language, prepare for reading, and distinguish right from wrong.
Middle Childhood (6-12 years)
- Acquire physical skills for games; learn to get along with peers.
- Build self-attitudes, develop reading, writing, and math skills.
- Develop independence, morality, values, and social attitudes.
Adolescence (13-18 years)
- Form mature relationships with peers and develop gender roles.
- Achieve emotional independence and prepare for family life and career.
- Develop personal values and strive for socially responsible behavior.
Early Adulthood (19-29 years)
- Select a mate and live with a partner; start and rear a family.
- Manage a home, build a career, take on civic duties, and find a social group.
Middle Adulthood (30-60 years)
- Guide teenagers, attain civic and social responsibility, and achieve career satisfaction.
- Develop leisure activities, relate to a spouse, accept physical aging, and adjust to aging parents.
Later Maturity (60+ years)
- Adjust to declining health, retirement, and potentially the death of a spouse.
- Establish relationships with peers, meet social duties, and secure suitable living arrangements.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Developmental Task — A task that arises at a specific life period; mastery leads to success in future stages.
- Physical Maturation — Biological changes that prompt new tasks.
- Personal Sources — Internal motivations, values, and aspirations.
- Societal Pressure — Cultural or social expectations that drive development.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the developmental tasks for each life stage and consider examples from real life.
- Reflect on which tasks you are currently facing and strategies to achieve them.