Advanced Educational Psychology

Developmental Tasks A person develops through a series of biological stages in life. Particular periods in life have specific characteristics and problems associated with them. The concept, "developmental tasks", assumes that certain of achievements are associated with specific periods in life. These achievements are necessary to facilitate the emotional and social progress of the individual from one stage to the next. For example, the development of gender identity in a very young child is crucial to its later emotional growth. Unless a child establishes a firm sense of self as male female, he/she will be handicapped later in life in building rewarding relationships with other children and adults.