Lifespan Development And The Brain: A Conceptual Analysis

In reflecting on this competency, I believe the best phrase that describes my development and growth both as a student and counselor is that of “grit” which was adapted from a student presentation during January’s residency weekend of this year. Grit describes one’s ability to stick with things over a very long time until it is mastered. I believe I was able to exhibit grit throughout my two years of completing the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program due to the many challenges I have encountered whilst pursuing my studies. Through enduring and overcoming financial woes, racist comments during internship, overwhelming work place demands, personal and family struggles among others. Development is an inevitable part of life and occurs throughout the …show more content…
According to Erikson, adolescents are in the identity versus identity confusion stage where they seek to establish an identity which is defined as “a coherent conception of the self, made up of goals, values, and beliefs to which the person is solidly committed” (Papalia et al., 2008, p. 390). Identity is formed through resolving the issues of occupational choice, an adoption of values to live by and the development of a filling sexual identity. The concept of fidelity is developed “as a virtue at the end of the identity crisis in adolescence and indicates that a stable identity has been achieved” (Brittian & Lerner, 2013, p. 722). Failure to resolve the identity conflict coupled with the experience of a traumatic event may result in significant or even permanent delay in adolescents attaining psychological