PSY 213- Developmental Theory & Research Methods

Development

• Pattern of movement or change that begins at conception and begins through the human lifespan 

• Changes and stability across multiple domains of psychological and social functioning 

  Systematic change over time that is: 

  • Functionally significant 

  • Relatively permanent 

  • Across bio-psycho-social-spiritual domains 

  • From conception to death 

Developmental Domains

• Biological: Body functions & Structures change 

• Cognitive: Thoughts, intelligence, & language 

• Socioemotional: Relationships, emotions, & personality  

Periods of Development 

1. Prenatal Period  

2. Infancy (birth to 18-24 months) 

3. Early Childhood (3-5 yrs) 

4. Middle/Late Childhood (6-11 yrs) 

5. Adolescents 

Emerging Adulthood (Jeffery Arnett) 

• Transitional Period 

• After WWII, postpone marriage & parenthood attend college 

• Explore identity 

• Lead unstable lives filled with many changes 

• Are self-focused, relatively free of obligations to others 

• Feel “in-between” 

• Believe they have limitless possibilities ahead  

Old Age 

• Living longer and in better health 

• Traditionally, 60-65+ is “Late adulthood” 

• Sometimes broken into young old (65-84) & oldest old (85+) 

A Note on Age 

• Different ways to think about “age” 

• Chronological 

• Biological 

• Psychological age 

• Social age 

Key Developmental Issues 

• Nature (Genes, DNA) vs Nurture (Environment) 

• Stability (Hereditary, Early experiences) vs (Plasticity, Resilience) Change 

• Continuity (Starfish) vs (Frog) Discontinuity 

Lifespan Perspective (Paul Baltes) 

• Lifelong 

• Multidimensional (bio-psycho-social) 

• Multidirectional (Growth, maintenance, and regulation of loss) 

• Plasticity (Capacity for change) 

• Multi- & Inter- disciplinary 

Ecological Systems Theory (Bronfenbrenner) 

• Development happens because of interactions between contexts & individuals 

• (target looking thing)