Human Development Chapter 1

What is Developmental Psychology (Lifespan Development)?

The scientific study of how people grow, change, and stay the same from conception until death.

What is the Lifespan Perspective?

The idea that development continues throughout the entire life and is influenced by many factors.

Development is lifelong.

Development occurs from conception until death.

Development is multidirectional.

People experience both gains and losses throughout life.

Development is multidimensional.

Development occurs in three areas:

• Physical

• Cognitive

• Psychosocial

Development is multidisciplinary.

Human development draws knowledge from psychology, biology, sociology, education, medicine, and more.

Plasticity

The ability to change or adapt throughout life.

Multicontextual

Development is influenced by many contexts such as family, culture, SES, and historical events.

Normative Age-Graded Influences

Events related to age that most people experience (puberty, retirement).

Normative History-Graded Influences

Events experienced by a generation because they lived during the same historical period.

Cohort

A group of people born during the same time period.

Non-Normative Life Influences

Unusual events that affect only certain individuals (winning the lottery, serious accident).

Socioeconomic Status (SES)

A person's social class based on income, education, and occupation.

Ethnocentrism

Believing your own culture is superior.

Cultural Relativity

Understanding another culture from its own perspective.

Lifespan

The maximum number of years a species can live.

Life Expectancy

The average number of years a person is expected to live.

Chronological Age

Age based on years since birth.

Biological Age

How well your body is functioning compared to others.

Psychological Age

Cognitive and emotional abilities compared to others your age.

Social Age

Age based on society's expectations.

Prenatal

Conception → Birth

Infancy & Toddlerhood

Birth → 2 years

Early Childhood

2–6 years

Middle & Late Childhood

6 years → Puberty

Adolescence

Puberty → 18 years

Emerging Adulthood

18–29 years

Established Adulthood

30–45 years

Middle Adulthood

45–65 years

Late Adulthood

65+ years

Nature vs. Nurture

Development is influenced by both genetics and environment.

Continuity

Development occurs gradually.

Discontinuity

Development occurs in distinct stages.

Active Development

Individuals shape their own development.

Passive Development

Development is shaped mainly by outside influences.

Stability vs. Change

Whether personality remains the same or changes throughout life.

Preformationism

The outdated belief that babies are tiny fully formed adults.

John Locke

Believed children are born as a "blank slate" (Tabula Rasa).

Tabula Rasa

Blank slate; knowledge comes from experience.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Believed development follows a natural biological plan.

Arnold Gesell

Believed development occurs through maturation.

Maturation

Development guided by genetics.

Sigmund Freud

Founder of Psychodynamic Theory; emphasized early childhood experiences.

Erik Erikson

Developed the eight stages of psychosocial development.

Trust vs. Mistrust

Birth–18 months

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

18 months–3 years

Initiative vs. Guilt

3–6 years

Industry vs. Inferiority

6–12 years

Identity vs. Role Confusion

12–18 years

Intimacy vs. Isolation

19–40 years

Generativity vs. Stagnation

40–65 years

Ego Integrity vs. Despair

65+ years

Behaviorism (Learning Theory)

Behavior is learned through rewards and punishments.

B.F. Skinner

Famous behaviorist known for reinforcement.

Social Learning Theory

People learn by observing others.

Albert Bandura

Developed Social Learning Theory.

Reciprocal Determinism

People influence their environment and the environment influences them.

Bobo Doll Experiment

Showed children imitate aggressive behavior they observe.

Jean Piaget

Developed the four stages of cognitive development.

Sensorimotor Stage

Birth–2 years; develops object permanence.

Preoperational Stage

2–7 years; language develops.

Concrete Operational Stage

7–11 years; logical thinking begins.

Formal Operational Stage

11+ years; abstract thinking develops.

Lev Vygotsky

Believed learning occurs through social interaction.

Information Processing Theory

Cognitive development improves gradually like a computer processing information.

Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory

Development is influenced by different environmental systems.

Microsystem

Immediate environment (family, friends).

Mesosystem

Interactions between microsystems.

Exosystem

Indirect environmental influences.

Macrosystem

Culture, laws, beliefs, customs.

Chronosystem

Historical events and life transitions.