Which psychologist proposed developmental tasks for infancy and early childhood through later maturity?

Which psychologist proposed developmental tasks for infancy and early childhood through later maturity?

• A. Jean Piaget
• B. Sigmund Freud
• C. Erik Erikson
• D. Robert J. Havinghurst

Answer: (D)

Developing over the lifespan involves meeting a series of socially defined milestones, or developmental tasks, at various ages. The psychologist who articulated this task-based framework from infancy all the way through maturity is Robert J. Havinghurst. He proposed that successful development depends on mastering these tasks within the cultural context, such as learning to walk and talk in early childhood, developing independence and social skills, and later taking on roles like education, work, marriage, parenting, and civic participation. This emphasis on the timing and social expectations of tasks sets Havinghurst apart. In contrast, Piaget centers on cognitive stages, Freud on psychosexual stages, and Erikson on psychosocial crises across the lifespan, rather than a comprehensive list of tasks to be accomplished at each stage.

Developing over the lifespan involves meeting a series of socially defined milestones, or developmental tasks, at various ages. The psychologist who articulated this task-based framework from infancy all the way through maturity is Robert J. Havinghurst. He proposed that successful development depends on mastering these tasks within the cultural context, such as learning to walk and talk in early childhood, developing independence and social skills, and later taking on roles like education, work, marriage, parenting, and civic participation. This emphasis on the timing and social expectations of tasks sets Havinghurst apart. In contrast, Piaget centers on cognitive stages, Freud on psychosexual stages, and Erikson on psychosocial crises across the lifespan, rather than a comprehensive list of tasks to be accomplished at each stage.