Social Scientist Summary of Developmental Theories

Leonard Pearlin • Development is unique to the individual but also occurs in a

common pattern
Theory of • Individual goes through lifetime of continuous change NOT a
Psychological series of transitions from one period of stability to another
Distress
4 Elements determine the individual’s path
a. Individual characterisitics (gender, race, intelligence, family
background, personality and education)
b. Range of skills for coping with stress
c. Availability of social support networks
d. Nature and timing of stress that requires response

• Cohort Effect – People change in response to similar external

circumstances/stresses (leaving school, marriage, starting work)
• A common social clock causes changes in behavior rather than
age-linked inner changes