Purchase Solution

Stages in a Police Officer's Professional Lifespan

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

Hello,
I need a little help starting this assignment.
I chose the following stages of the police professional lifespan I feel would benefit from interventions; Age 22-28, Age 28-33, & Age 40-45
Application: The Lifespan of the Police Professional
Over the course of a person's life, he or she develops and matures physiologically, emotionally, and cognitively—these changes have been the focus of many developmental psychologists. In the 1920s, Jean Piaget began to publish his theories regarding cognitive changes that occur from birth through adolescence. Shortly after, Erik Erikson began his study of social development in which he explained that conflicts must be successfully resolved at each stage before moving to the next. Lawrence Kohlberg followed with his work related to moral development reasoning stages, which progress into adulthood. In general, those who have studied the human lifespan agree that psychological, intellectual, and spiritual growth continue in the midst of environmental, cultural, and social influences. Throughout this process of human development, the individual may acclimate to, suffer from, or rise above challenges that surface.
Developmental stages also may be applied to careers. Dalton, Thompson, and Price (1977) described changes that can occur throughout a person's career based on an individual's thoughts, behaviors, and actions. They described these changes as indicative of distinct developmental stages. Fagan and Ayers (1982) applied the study of developmental stages to the area of police work. They discussed specific psychosocial stages that a police officer could go through and the importance of stress management skills for successful coping at these different stages. Understanding the stages of a police officer's career lifespan may assist the officer with successful transitions and choices throughout his or her career. This understanding also may help forensic psychology professionals recognize opportunities for beneficial intervention (e.g., support, training) during the police officer's lifespan.
To prepare for this assignment:
•Review the article, "The Life of a Police Officer: A Developmental Perspective." Focus on a police officer's stages of lifespan development. Consider how motivation relates to each stage. Also, think about types of interventions (e.g., training, support, counseling) that would benefit a police officer in each stage.
•Review the article, "Tough Cop—Soft Cop? The Impact of Motivations and Experiences on Police Officers' Approaches to the Public." Consider the impact of a police officer's motivations and experiences on his or her approaches to the public. Think about how motivation and experience influence and relate to police officer lifespan development.
•Review this week's media, "Developmental Lifespan Stages of Police Officers." Consider the police career lifespan as it relates to other stages of adult development. Think about the stages at which intervention would be most useful to a police officer and consider which interventions would be the most effective for each stage.
•Select three stages of the police professional lifespan in which interventions may be most useful to police officers.
•Think about one intervention you would use at each of these stages and consider why.
The assignment (1-3 pages):
•Identify and explain three stages of the police professional lifespan in which interventions (e.g., training, support, counseling) would be most useful.
•Describe one intervention that you would recommend for each stage and explain why you selected each.
•Support your responses with references to the Learning Resources and the research literature.

Purchase this Solution

Solution Summary

This solution discusses the developmental stages of a police officer's professional career.

Solution Preview

(1) Identify and explain three stages of the police professional lifespan in which interventions (e.g., training, support, counseling would be most useful).

The foundation of developmental psychology is to provide attention to age-related interactions and intrapersonal relationships throughout a person's lifespan. Erikson modeled his developmental theories on the personality and Levinson studied the "Season's in a man's life. Levinson had proposed the following developmental stages on the basis of studying four occupational groups"

Early adulthood (17-22), Entering adulthood (8-22)' Age 30 transition (22-28)' Settling down (33-40); and midlife transition (40-45). Based on Fagan & Ayers (1982) developmental model, early adulthood was when men established their identity. The entering stage referred to the fulfillment of their dreams. At age 30 they encountered stressful situations. Subsequently, the police officers settled down, and worked hard to accomplish goals. The Midlife transition was a major transitional stage.

It was hypothesized that the knowledge of the development of police officers will expand or confirms with the development existing theory in developmental psychology. Fagan and Ayers (1982) asserted that such an examination of the developmental stages of police officers was needed for improving the administration of a police officers. In addition, it would provide practical suggestions for improving the administration of a police department (p. 276). Sollund (2008) noted regarding the police officers he observed that "Many rank-and-file officers picture themselves as fighting a nearly hopeless fight against crime" (p. 120). Therefore, the framework of Levinson's developmental model was used for the subjects interviewed by Fagan and Myers as they transitioned through a series of psychological stage. They found that intervention for Levinson's first three stages might be more beneficial for police officers; however, the midlife transitional stage in Levinson's model was not supported by the police officers' personal or professional development. For instance the following observations were made:

• Early adult transition (19-22), potential police officers entered the military ...

Purchase this Solution


Free BrainMass Quizzes
Childhood Disorders (Axis 1)

This quiz is designed to test one's knowledge on childhood Principle Disorders found in the DSM-IV (1994). This is a good quiz for those who wish to pursue a career in child assessment or child development. Good luck.

Abnormal Psychology

This quiz will explore the faucets of abnormal psychology, from the question of what is abnormal, to the intricacies of DSM diagnosable disorders.

Psychoanalysis and Sigmund Freud

This quiz explores the personality theory of psychoanalysis, in particular reference to how Freud conceptualized of this theory.

The Psychology of Sleep

This quiz is to check your understanding of the sleep-related part of psychology.

Developmental Psychology

This quiz explores the concepts, theories and key terminology associated with human psychological development.