Eduard Spranger Project

Dominant Value Direction

• Dominant value direction is defined as the lasting values developed during adolescence that shape the world view an individual carries forward into adulthood
• Spranger believed that adolescence was a time of difficultly, crisis and volatility
• the stresses of adolescence can lead to a shift in an individual's personality development

Adolescent Development

• Spranger believed that adolescence is the period of transition from childhood to maturity
• this new maturity that comes with adulthood includes emotional, physiological and psychological maturity
• during the period of adolescence, individuals develop long-term dominant value direction

Eduard Spranger

(1882-1963)

Career

• Spranger was employed as a philosophy professor in: Liepzig from 1911 to 1920; Berlin from 1920-1945; and Tübingen in 1946

• he also lectured in Japan in 1937 and 1938

• in 1944, Spranger was held captive in Berlin during World War II but was released up on an appeal made by a Japanese ambassador

• some of his important works on human science include: Types of Men (1914) and the Psychology of Youth (1924)

• He died September 17, 1963 in Tubingen, Germany

Behaviour in Adolescents

Three Basic Characteristics of Teens

1. After reaching maturity, adolescents see themselves as a changed person

2. Through a slow process of personal development, adolescents come to accept society's beliefs and values

3. Adolescents are able to overcome obstacles, to improve themselves, through personal effort, self-control and discipline

Biography

• Eduard Spranger was a German philosopher, psychologist and educator

• He was born June 27, 1882 in Berlin, Germany

• He was taught by German sociologist, historian and psychologist, William Dilthey

• Following the work of Dilthey, Spranger continued his studies in the human sciences

• He created many works that were devoted to Dilthey's studies on the effects of human culture and history on a person's actions and ethics

Relevance

In everyday life the work of Eduard Spranger is very relevant. Adolescence is a time of vast change. Examining Adolescent behaviour and development can provide insight into how people change and address the challenges caused by change. Spranger’s studies helped the world gain valuable knowledge on the progress made during adolescence. Further understanding the progress that develops during adolescence helps the world understand how this group should be treated in everyday life, as well as, what sort of products or topics would spark interest generally within the group. In summary, the work of German philosopher and psychologist Eduard Spranger in relevant to our world today because it helps us define what shapes the views of individuals and how people deal with challenges triggered by change.

By Aden, Carina and Kyla

Connections to the World Today

Eduard Spranger used a holistic approach to developmental psychology, specifically in the characterization of adolescents. In his research, Spranger used history, literature, and general observations to come to conclusions on the psychology of youth. Through his less-scientific approach, Spranger was able to characterize adolescent life with aspects such as the emergence of a life plan and overall growth. His research offered insights into the psychology of humans and its complexity, which still holds great value today. Thanks to Eduard Spranger, we have a better understanding that human beings are not only formed by the social and cultural factors around them, but mainly by the individual human and their specific values.

Discussion Questions

1. According to Spranger, how might peers and school contribute to changes in an individual?

2. Do you think that Spranger’s theory applies to males and females equally?

Importance

The German philosopher and psychologist Eduard Spranger devoted much of his time to researching adolescent issues, as we have more recently described. This man devoted his life to gaining insight into the adolescent stage of life. This is the stage that refers to a transitional period between childhood and adulthood typically beginning with puberty and ending around 18-21 years of age. Spranger’s idea that in this stage individuals develop lasting values or dominant value direction is of importance. It is important because it displays that a person finds the views that shape themselves, which will be carried over into adulthood. Since adulthood lasts for much of an individual’s life, it is crucial to be analyzed and studied to help us understand the behaviours that mold each person’s worldly views.

Reference

De Coeur, T., Rawes, C., & Warecki, P. (2012). Challenge and Change: Patterns, Trends and

Shifts in Society. Toronto, ON: McGraw-Hill Ryerson

Eduard Spranger. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/biography/Eduard-Spranger

Eduard Spranger. (n.d.) The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition. (1970-1979). Retrieved

from http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Eduard+Spranger

Newcomb, R. (1930). Types of Men: The Psychology and Ethics of Personality. American

Journal of Sociology, 25(4), 666-667. doi: 10.1086/215150

Teo, M. (2000). Eduard Spranger on Development. Retrieved from

http://www.yorku.ca/tteo/Teo2003Sprang.pdf

Teo, T. (2000). Eduard Spranger. Encyclopedia of Psychology 7, 458-459.

doi: 10.1037/10522- 190

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