Chapter Five- Developing Through the Life Span

This chapter covered development from prenatal to adulthood and parenting styles. Three things I learned in this chapter are the parenting styles, social identity, and intelligence. I also found the information on autism and dementia interesting because I know people personally who have struggled with them.

The parenting styles I found interesting because I had always thought that parenting styles were unique and different. However, the majority of parenting styles can be split up into three categories; authoritarian, permissive, and authoritative. Authoritarian parenting puts a strong emphasis on strict obedience and leaves no room for interpretation. These types of parents require everything they ask to be completed and right the first time. Permissive parents are the exact opposite. They are more laid back and the children are pretty much in control of the entire situation. The parents will grant their every desires and make very few demands. The last parenting style authoritative is a hybrid of the last two parenting styles. This style combines structure with discussion. The boundaries are set, enforced, rules are explained with reasoning, and everything is open to discussion. This last type of parenting style is the one my parent's use.

I also learned about social identity in this chapter. I found this topic to be interesting because we as individuals tend to base our sense of self around group membership. For example several people adopt their clothing style to match of particular group in an effort to be associated with the group or feel apart of it. (goth, geek, preps, jocks) In addition to clothing we often wonder why we exist, or wish that we were somebody else because we perceive them to be. Several adolecenants are content with their identity while others ponder the previous ideals. Some factors of our social identity include; thoughts and feelings, appearance, and relationships with friends and family. This section made me wonder whether I am really content with the person I am or if I am still searching for my purpose in life (why do I exist).