DEVELOPMENTAL

THEORY IN REAL LIFE

Kaitlyn Grubbs

ABIGAIL WILSON
6
9th

7
FEBRUA
RY

TIMOTHY

2000
SHELLEY WILSON

MAGEE-WOMENS HOSPITAL OF UPMC

HER FIRST RITE OF PASSAGE:

BAPTISM
Here, Abigail will be going through the
rite of passage of becoming a
member of the Church by receiving
the sacrament of baptism. When she
was given to be held by her Great
Aunt, she cried until she was back in
her
mothers
arms.
(This
demonstrates Stranger Anxiety, as
mentioned by Vygotsky)
BABYS FIRST WORD:
Mama (Babbling)
Said at 11 months old - January 5,
2001
BABYS FAVORITE TOY:
Pacifier she cries whenever we take
it and put it away while she eats.
(Demonstrates the idea of lack of

Abigail takes her first steps!

Date: February 26, 2001

Age: 12 months
At this point, she is still going through the
critical period of her development

Animal Lover
We decided to get a new member of the
family, a dog when Abigail turned two
years old. While walking around the animal
shelter, Abigail saw a bunny and asked
what it was. Once we got to the dogs, she
called the first one she saw a bunny. We
told her that it was actually a puppy. She
wandered around before looking at a dog
that she thought was the cutest, and then
asked if he was also a puppy. (This shows
Accommodation
because
she
was
applying new information into her current
understanding)
When we got to be introduced to the dog
we picked out, Abigail moved closer to her
dad when the dog started to sniff her hand
and she didnt understand why. (This is a
demonstration of Attachment, as she

Another New Member to the Family

Date: April 8, 2002
Liliana (Lili) Wilson
A new member to the family was born. Now
that Abigail has a younger sibling to take
care of, things around the house will begin
to get even more hectic!

FUNNY MOMENTS WITH ABIGAIL:

We took Abigail to the zoo over the summer as a
late 3rd birthday present. She picked out a stuffed
lion and named him Humphrey. Now, she plays in
the backyard with him and they blow bubbles and
play with chalk all day long. They also come in for
snack breaks and to do arts and crafts. He is a
very good friend of hers. (This demonstrates the
Preconceptual Stage of her life, as mentioned
by Freud, since she is giving an inanimate object
life-like characteristics)
Abigail and Humphrey are very good about eating
dinner every night. If they eat everything,
including their vegetables, they get a couple
Oreos! Abby says that those are Humphreys
favorite. (This action demonstrates Nave
Reward
Orientation,
part
of
the
Preconventional
level,
since
she
does
something perceived to be good because she

The Princess Days

Abigails favorite Halloween costume was
when she dressed up like a magical fairy
princess, as she called it. For the next
few months afterward, she would go
around with her wand turning the plants
into cupcakes. At the hair dresser she
would always point out how shes the
most
prettiest
princess,
besides
Princess Anna from Frozen (of course).
(Her
magic
powers
demonstrate
pretend play, always referring to herself
as a beautiful princess demonstrates
egocentrism, both of which show that
she is in the Preoperational Stage.
Saying most prettiest shows that she is
also still going through language
development, as she isnt able to speak
properly yet. That means that she does

Insert Picture over Here

First Day of Kindergarten

On her first day of Kindergarten, Abigail
wanted to take along Humphrey for the
day. She had already gone to daycare
with him before, but this time she had to
leave him at home. The morning went
well until we got to the school and told
her that Humphrey wasnt allowed to go
with her. The waterworks had begun and
little Abby sat in the back of the car
screaming and crying. Her teacher
convinced her to come inside, Abby went
in
reluctantly.
(This
demonstrates
Separation Anxiety)

Insert Picture Here

Learning Important Skills

For Abigails 5th birthday, she decided she wanted
to learn to dance. Some of the girls in her
kindergarten class were also taking dance. When
talking about joining with another family, Abigail
and her friend, Elizabeth, were both enrolled in
gymnastics. In doing that, the two would develop
confidence over time in what they were learning
and would continue taking the lessons. (Through
the confidence the young girls gained through
gymnastics,
they
gained
the
virtue
of
Competence which is achieved through the
Industry vs Inferiority Stage that was
discussed by Erikson)

A New Rite Of Passage

When Abigail was in the second grade, she
would receive her First Communion. With
the help of her family, she would prepare for
this sacrament which she would receive
later on in the school year, approximately
that spring.
Developing Math Skills
In third grade, Abigail continued to learn
gymnastics and began to develop a stronger
understanding of mathematics. The progress
was very slow at first but, with some extra
help and even a tutor, she began to get
higher grades on her math tests. (This
demonstrates Abigail being in the Concrete
Operational Stage, as discussed by Piaget.
She is performing arithmetical operations at
a higher caliber than before.)

First Relationship
Towards the end of summer before sophomore year, Abigail would meet a boy who
she quickly developed a crush on. The two would quickly hit it off and went on
casual dates. Eventually, the two of them would officially be in a relationship with
each other. Before meeting Chris, Abigail had felt very alone and as though she
would never find someone who would like her. (This demonstrates an early phase of
Intimacy vs Isolation, as mentioned by Erikson. They have established intimacy
with each other)

During the relationship, Abigail felt as though Chris really cared about her. She no
longer felt like she was in isolation, and even told him that she loved him later on

High School Years

Going into high school, Abigail was very
shy and reserved until you got to know
her. As time would go on, though, she
would begin to try to express herself
more and make an identity for herself.
The summer between sophomore and
junior year, Abigail would experiment
with different looks. Those included
outrageous hair colors and getting
piercings. (Doing this is a form of SelfThose
days which
would issoon
end,of though,
Expression,
an idea
Erikson
when
the summer
break was over and
that occurs
during adolescence)
her gymnastics competition would begin
again. Her school did not allow the
unnatural hair coloring, as it was a
private school, and her coach would
prefer if she kept her hair a natural color
so that it doesnt distract anyone from
her routine.

Developing Morally
At a party with her boyfriend, Abigail and him were
both asked to do drugs. While Abigail was very
reluctant in her thoughts, Chris was more willing to
try the drugs. Abigail would convince him not to
take the drugs and the two would leave. She didnt
want to do the drugs not only for the fact that they
were illegal, but her parents had taught her the
problems that come with drug abuse. Later that
night, the police would be called to the house party
for multiple noise complaints and discover the
drugs. (This demonstrates that she was thinking in
the Authority Orientation stage of moral
development. Chris doing what Abigail told him
demonstrates the Good Boy/Girl Orientation)

Rites of Passage
Graduating High School

At this point in life,

Abigail is emerging
adulthood.
Prom

And nearly three

great years spent
with Chris

Starting College

More Rites of Passage

Engagement

Graduating
College

Beginning
Career

Welcome to the
family, Chris!!!!

Zoology

Its finally over!

Time Spent Posing for Lilis Photography

THE WEDDING
Wedding Bells rang
this day for Abigail
and Chris!
October 12, 2025

Starting a Family
Sean Patrick Wallace
August 26, 2027
7 lbs. 6 oz.
James David Wallace
October 30, 2030
8 lbs. 4 oz.
Elizabeth Ellie Clara Wallace
March 18, 2034
6 lbs. 1 oz.

The Midlife Crisis

At this point in life, Abigail I going
through her midlife crisis. What does
she still have left to do in life? Is
there anything she could have done
differently with her children who are
now off at college? All of the first
grade math problems are gone, and
her fluid intelligence has yet to
decline.
Abigail will experience a transition of
identity and self-confidence at this
time. She hits a rough patch here and
suffered depression as she feels like
she has no purpose and becomes
determined to turn things around
through
volunteer
work.
(This
demonstrates
Generativity
vs
Stagnation)

Late Adulthood
Abigail will now go through the process of Integrity vs Despair, an idea of Erikson.
She will now begin asking herself questions such as:

Things I did:
Things I didnt do:
Have a family
Eat more ice cream
Get married
Change the world
Travel the US
more
Work with animals,
Adopt
more
my passion
animals
Change the worldDid I lead a good life? Yes. Pay attention to
Since Abigail believes that she led a successful life,who
she willthe
now be able
to die happy. She feels like she had a good life and is happy with all of her
president was
many accomplishments