Founder of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud created a psychosexual model of human development based upon the erogenous zones of the body.  He believed that as these zones matured neurologically, they activated the emotional world of the child (largely resident in the unconscious), and in the course of doing so, created the basis for later emotional health...Read More

Psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg created a theory of moral development (or more properly, “moral reasoning”) based upon Jean Piaget’s stages of cognition.  There are three basic levels:  preconventional, conventional, and postconventional, and two stages within each level.  The six stages are as follows: Level 1 (Preconventional) 1. Obedience and Punishment Orientation – at this stage of...Read More

According to the ancient Romans, there are five stages of human development: 0-15 years – Pueritia – early childhood and latent period of early school years 15-25 – Adulescentia – puberty and adolescence 25-40 – Luventus – first adulthood 40-55 – Virilitas – second adulthood 55+ – Senectus – old age For more about the...Read More

According to the ancient Hindu Laws of Manu, there are four stages or “ashramas” of life, each lasting 21 (or 25) years. The first stage – 0-21 (0-25)  years – Brahmacharya/Student – the person lives as a unmarried celibate, studies with a guru; the focus is on education, character development, development of skills The second...Read More

“According to a beautiful legend from the Jewish tradition, the fetus in the womb has a light that shines above his head that sees from one end of the universe to the other.  This light encompasses the unborn’s own deep past and his ultimate destiny.  Just before birth, however, the angel Lailah comes to the...Read More