Lifespan Development Chapter 1

Human development

Field that focuses on the scientific study of the systemic processes of change and stability in people

Life-span development

“Womb to tomb”, comprises the entire human life span from conception to death

Development can be either ___________ or _____________

Positive, negative

As the field of human development evolved, its goals came to include not just description but also __________, ____________, and ____________.

Explanation, prediction, intervention

What are the three major domains of the self developmental scientists study?

Physical, cognitive, and psychosocial

Physical development

Growth of body and brain, including patterns of change in sensory capacities, motor skills, and health.

Cognitive development

Pattern of change in mental abilities, such as learning, attention, memory, language, thinking, reasoning, and creativity.

Psychosocial development

Pattern of change in emotions, personality, and social relationships.

In Erikson’s eight-stage theory, the socially and culturally influenced process of development of the ego, or self.

Social construction

A concept or practice that is an invention of a particular culture or society

Division of the life span into periods is a _______ ___________.

Social construction

What are the 8 different age periods of human development, from youngest to oldest?

Prenatal period, infancy and toddlerhood, early childhood, middle childhood, adolescence, emerging and young adulthood, middle adulthood, late adulthood.

Physical developments of the prenatal period

• Conception occurs via natural fertilization or other means

• The genetic endowment interacts with environmental influences from the start

• Basic body structures and organs form; brain growth spurt begins

• Physical growth is most rapid in the life span

• Vulnerability to environmental influences is great

Cognitive developments in the prenatal period

Abilities to learn and remember and to respond to sensory stimuli are developing

Psychosocial developments in the prenatal period

Fetus responds to mother’s voice and develops a preference for it.

Physical developments during the infancy and toddlerhood

• All senses and body systems operate at birth to varying degrees.

• The brain grows in complexity and is highly sensitive to environmental influence.

• Physical growth and development of motor skills are rapid.

Cognitive developments in the infancy and toddlerhood period

• Abilities to learn and remember are present, even in early weeks.

• Use of symbols and ability to solve problems develop by end of second year.

• Comprehension and use of language develop rapidly.

Psychosocial developments of the infancy and toddlerhood period

• Attachments to parents and others form

• Self-awareness develops

• Shift from dependence toward autonomy occurs

• Interest in other children increases

Physical developments in the early childhood period

• Growth is steady; appearance becomes more slender and proportions more adult like.

• Appetite diminishes, and sleep problems are common.

• Handedness appears; fine and gross motor skills and strength improve.

Cognitive developments in early childhood period

• Thinking is somewhat egocentric, but understanding of other people’s perspectives grows.

• Cognitive immaturity results in some illogical ideas about the world.

• Memory and language improve.

• Intelligence becomes more predictable.

• Preschool experience is common, and kindergarten experience is more so.

Psychosocial developments in early childhood period

• Self-concept and understanding of emotions become more complex; self-esteem is global.

• Independence, initiative, and self-control increase.

• Gender identity develops.

• Play becomes more imaginative, more elaborate, and usually more social.

• Altruism, aggression, and fearfulness are common.

• Family is still the focus of social life, but other children become more important.