Written by Nancy Sweeney, CLC & Dr Cara Gardenswartz @GroupTherapyLA/NY.

We all begin life as infants, unable to walk, talk, feed, or clothe ourselves. Fortunately, no one expects a newborn to contribute to household bills or engage in meaningful conversation. As we grow, however, those around us gradually introduce responsibilities like cleaning our rooms, helping with dinner, and managing our behavior. As adults, societal and personal expectations can become even more complex and demanding. But what happens when these expectations don't align with a person's abilities or circumstances?

Expectations are a fundamental part of human interactions and relationships. From professional settings to personal relationships, understanding how expectations develop and evolve can help us navigate our interactions more effectively. Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development teaches us that human development occurs in stages. However, it's essential to remember that these stages do not occur uniformly for everyone. Adults, too, have varied abilities and developmental trajectories that require consideration.

Not everyone is born with the same innate skills and abilities. From genetics to upbringing, numerous factors contribute to the diversity in human capacities. Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences emphasizes that intelligence is not a single entity but a collection of different modalities, such as linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, spatial, interpersonal, and intrapersonal intelligences. These differences underscore why some individuals excel in certain tasks........

© Psychology Today