Personality Theory
From my point-of-view, I see Erik Erikson's epigenetic principle to be the most appropriate theory to most individuals that explains how personality develops. From an online source, the epigenetic principle states that,
This principle says that we develop through a predetermined unfolding of our personalities in eight stages. Our progress through each stage is in part determined by our success, or lack of success, in all the previous stages. A little like the unfolding of a rose bud, each petal opens up at a certain time, in a certain order, which nature, through its genetics, has determined. If we interfere in the natural order of development by pulling a petal forward prematurely or out of order, we ruin the development of the entire flower.
Erikson's theory is usually manifested in our life experiences. How an individual surpasses a stage in his life affects his personality in facing his future experiences. For instance, a person who failed in attaining success in a job may affect his view on how to face challenges. It may either cause his personality to become an optimistic or a pessimistic.
Mental Illness
One mental illness in a child development is ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). This illness causes a child to have difficulty in maintaining attention and makes him easily distracted by different things. In a society where technology continuously grows, having this kind of illness, if brought until adulthood, is disadvantageous and can hamper one's growth and success. For instance, an adult who has an ADHD may find it difficult to learn new and advanced technologies. Because most of our environment and activities implement different technologies, such kind of adult may consequently find it difficult to adapt in many technological changes.
Bibliography
Boeree, G.C. Erik Erikson.
Retrieved on January 03, 2005, from SHIP.EDU Online.
Web site: http://www.ship.edu/%7Ecgboeree/erikson.html
Attention Deficit and Hyperkinetic Disorders in Children and Young People
Section 1: Introduction. Retrieved on January 02, 2005, from SIGN.AC.UK Online.
Web site: http://www.sign.ac.uk/guidelines/fulltext/52/section1.html
