PSYC FPX 3210 Human Lifespan Development

Prof. Name

December, 2024

Abstract

PSYC FPX 3210 Assessment 3 The “Meet the Washingtons” case study offers a holistic view of the myriad challenges facing a family when trying to navigate an overly complex healthcare system with chronic health conditions and social determinants of health (Hill-Briggs et al., 2020). The physical, psychosocial, and cultural elements contributing to the health outcome for the family are thoroughly investigated with regard to how these might intersect to affect delivery, coordination, and community resources in healthcare. Evidence-based strategies in the coordination of care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and ethical considerations that shape interactions for the diverse needs of the patients and their families can thus be drawn from this experience of the Washington family. This analysis in patient-centered care and health equity provides practice recommendations to improve the outcome in a similar real-world scenario.

Keywords

Erikson’s psychosocial development, human growth, identity, social relationships, stages of development, trust versus mistrust, integrity versus despair, psychological development, resilience, adaptive behaviors, lifespan, personal growth, and psychosocial factors.

Process of Identity Formation Using the Erickson Psychosocial Development 

According to Erikson’s psychosocial development theory, the process of identity formation is one of the most critical elements of human growth, especially in adolescence. Erikson hypothesizes that this takes place in the fifth stage of development, “Identity vs. Role Confusion,” which is around the age range of 12 to 18 years old. It is at this age range that adolescents are searching for their diverse personalities, values, beliefs, and goals, thus striving to build a coherent sense of self. Successful resolution of this stage provides a person with a strong sense of personal identity, which allows the individual to face the problems of adulthood with confidence and clarity. This might lead to role confusion in which people get confused regarding their future, social roles, and beliefs. Erikson further argues that individual factors, such as cognitive development and personal experiences, influence identity formation; however, this is inextricably linked with the social context- the family, peers, and the broader culture. Adolescents experiment with a variety of roles and affiliations, gradually synthesizing these experiences into a coherent sense of who they are. This process is continuous, evolving as individuals encounter new experiences and challenges throughout their lives. Identity formation is finally the basis through which a person relates to others, how they make life decisions, and eventually, how they see themselves in the world.

Brain Development 

Brain development is a dynamic and complex process (Hramov et al., 2021). It starts early in life and extends into the earliest years of adult life. Growth, maturation, and refinement involve neural structures and pathways, which form the foundation for cognitive, emotional, or motor functions. In infancy and early childhood, the brain grows rapidly, with neural connections developing at an impressive rate. Environmental experiences are the norm for this period, but the pattern of architectural development is strongly dependent on experience. It explains how sensory and motor experience impacts neural circuit strengthening, especially in language-related areas, memory places, and emotion control circuits. In this process, children progressively experience a procedure called pruning of unused or unnecessary connections between brain cells, which renders way to more efficient neural pathways. This process is most evident during adolescence, when the brain is significantly remodeled, especially in the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making, problem-solving, and impulse control. Executive functions developed during this period are crucial for emotional regulation, reasoning, and social interactions. The brain continues to have a degree of plasticity throughout adulthood, allowing for continued learning and adaptation. However, certain areas of the brain may start declining due to aging, in particular memory and processing speed. Overall, the development of the brain influences cognitive abilities and emotional responses with genetics, environmental factors, and one’s life experiences.

Ethical Considerations 

Ethical concerns are key in most activities, but especially in medical and scientific fields and professional dealings (Galderisi et al., 2024). This is because, generally, ethics inform every decision one makes to safeguard respect for the rights, dignity, and well-being of persons. In healthcare settings, there are four elements: autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. Autonomy respects the patient’s right to make choices about their care, basing such decisions on information; beneficence requires action in the best interest of the patient. Non-maleficence obligates practitioners to avoid causing harm so that interventions or treatments do not cause unnecessary suffering. Justice seeks fairness in the distribution of healthcare resources and treatments with no bias toward a person’s socioeconomic background, race, or other personal factors. Ethical considerations in research include getting informed consent, keeping confidentiality, and the safety and well-being of participants. Research has to be carried out with integrity and transparently and should not contain any deception or manipulation. Ethical guidelines also make sure that findings from the research are reported truthfully without falsification or selective reporting. Ethical considerations also extend beyond the areas of business, law, and even social media because the essence of accountability, honesty, and consideration of what effect may be caused is always of paramount importance. Keeping to ethical principles develops trust, promotes fairness, and guarantees responsible practices in a vast array of domains.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, ethical considerations are an essential component in making responsible and just decisions in matters such as healthcare and medical research (Marques et al., 2024). If professionals have respect for the rights of the individual, and if they stick to key ethical principles on autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice, then the care and services they give will be sure to protect the dignity of the person being cared for. These principles protect the welfare of patients and research subjects while building trust and accountability within professional practice. Beyond healthcare, ethical concerns cut across businesses, laws, and societal practices and impact decisions fair in nature, integral, and respectful of others. Fundamentally, ethical standards hold a key position in positively ensuring outcomes, equity, and upholding moral responsibilities leading to actions in society.

References 

Galderisi, S., Appelbaum, P. S., Gill, N., Gooding, P., Herrman, H., Melillo, A., Myrick, K., Pathare, S., Savage, M., Szmukler, G., & Torous, J. (2024). Ethical challenges in contemporary psychiatry: an overview and an appraisal of possible strategies and research needs. PubMed, 23(3), 364–386. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.21230

Hill-Briggs, F., Adler, N. E., Berkowitz, S. A., Chin, M. H., Gary-Webb, T. L., Navas-Acien, A., Thornton, P. L., & Haire-Joshu, D. (2020). Social determinants of health and diabetes: A scientific review. Diabetes Care, 44(1), 258–279. https://doi.org/10.2337/dci20-0053