Introduction
The observer selected a grandfather, over 65, and observed him in his home environment. He generally wakes up early in the morning and reads the newspaper. Then he has his breakfast and watches television. He takes a nap in the afternoon, and in the evening, he goes for a walk and then has dinner. He has been married for 66 years, and he has three children who are all adults. The observer is grateful for the grandfather because he is such a great example. Because his cognitive powers are still developing and he is mastering his object relations abilities, he has a solid psychosocial foundation based on the theories of Gesell, Erickson, Piaget, Freud, Mahler, Maslow, and Kohlberg. This inquiry provides valuable insights into the grandfather’s life and can help guide his future developmental progress.
Growth and Development
Physical (Gesell)
The grandfather’s physical development is typical for his age. He shows expected muscle mass, strength, endurance, and bone density deterioration. His skin is thin and wrinkled, and his hair is thinning and graying. His reflexes are slowed, and his vision and hearing are beginning to decline. However, he can still walk without assistance and care for himself independently. His functional ability is also good, despite his age-related difficulties. Overall, the grandfather’s physical (Gesell) and mental (Gesell) health are both in good condition for his age.
Psychosocial (Erickson)
The grandfather is experiencing a lot of physical and mental decline. He is losing his independence and is increasingly reliant on others for care. He is also facing his mortality, which is a tough time for him emotionally. The observer has remained supportive and understanding of him as a family. He has helped him to stay connected to life and enjoy his days.
Cognitive (Piaget)
Piaget’s theory of cognitive development is also important at the grandfather stage. The theory focuses on developing intelligence and skills related to physical health (Ramesh, 2022). The grandfather under cognitive development is characterized by logical and abstract thinking. He can understand cause-and-effect concepts and think about hypothetical situations. He can reason logically and think critically about information. Additionally, he has a wealth of knowledge and life experience to draw upon when making decisions. Therefore, he is a very wise and insightful thinker.
Psychosexual (Freud)
The grandfather is in the final stage of Freud’s psychosexual development, the genital stage. He is comfortable with his sexual desires and fantasies. He is supportive of his grandchildren’s sexuality and open to discussing his sexual experiences with them. He is a positive role model for his grandchildren regarding their understanding and appreciation of human sexuality. He always offers them guidance and support as they explore their sexual desires and fantasies. In addition, he provides a healthy environment where the grandchildren can develop their own sexual identities.
Object Relations (Mahler)
The grandfather appears to have healthy object relations with his grandchildren. He is affectionate towards them and shows care for them. He also demonstrates a sense of responsibility towards them, which is important in a healthy relationship. The grandfather seems to be able to communicate with his grandchildren effectively, which is another key part of a healthy object relations relationship. Overall, the grandfather appears to have positive, objective relations with his grandchildren, who enjoy spending time with him.
Hierarchy of Needs (Maslow)
The Hierarchy of Needs can be a helpful tool for understanding the psychological motivations behind human behavior (Stewart et al., 2018). According to the observer, how others treat the grandfather is respectful. His social needs involve maintaining healthy ties with his family and friends. Regarding safety requirements, he aspires to feel safe and protected in his home and neighborhood. Regarding his physiological requirements, he demands a nutrient-rich diet and regular exercise. Concerning his grief requirements, he craves affirmation that he is loved and respected by others and the ability to experience sadness or happiness on demand. In terms of his play needs, he wants to have fun and engage in family events.
Moral Development (Kohlberg, Piaget)
According to Kohlberg, moral development is a lifelong process that begins in childhood and continues into adulthood (Nainggolan & Naibaho, 2022). Based on three Kohlberg levels of moral reasoning, the grandfather’s values fall into the stage of conventional morality. At this stage, people adhere to traditional norms and values, which usually involve upholding social order and maintaining standards of decency (Winata & Limajatini, 2020). According to the observer, the grandfather has certain beliefs about morality that reflect this level, such as believing in justice and fairness.
Conclusion
The psychological theories of the grandfather are Gesell, Erickson, Piaget, Freud, Mahler, Maslow, and Kohlberg. The grandfather’s physical development is evident because his muscle mass, strength, endurance, and bone density decrease with age. Psychosocial development is shown in his capacity to interact with others, while cognitive development is seen in his ability to think and reason. Psychosexual growth is seen in the capacity to build connections and bonds. The development of the grandfather’s relations is evident in his ability to form relationships with others. The advancement of the grandfather’s hierarchy of needs is apparent in his need for physical, emotional, and mental nourishment. According to Ramesh (2022), Piaget’s cognitive development theory is about intelligence and skills associated with physical health. The observer observes that the grandfather is capable and good at logical thinking. Besides, his moral development is clear since he can acquire ethical standards and views.
References
Nainggolan, M. M., & Naibaho, L. (2022). The Integration of Kohlberg Moral Development Theory with Education Character. Technium Social Sciences Journal, 31, 203-212.
Ramesh, S. (2022). The Political Economy of Human Behaviour and Economic Development: Psychology and Economic Development. Palgrave Macmillan.
Stewart, C., Nodoushani, O., & Stumpf, J. (2018). Cultivating employees using Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. In Competition Forum (Vol. 16, No. 2, pp. 67-75). American Society for Competitiveness. Web.
Winata, S., & Limajatini, L. (2020). Accountants’ ethical orientations under ethical decision making literatures review of accounting’s aspect from 1995 to 2012. Akuntoteknologi, 12(2), 88.