1_Introduction to Human Development

Introduction to Human Development

  • Instructor: Kelsey Kendellen, PhD

  • Course Code: KNES 3630

  • University: University of Lethbridge

Lecture Objectives

  • Define human development

  • Identify the processes of development

  • Describe key characteristics of development and lifespan development

  • Identify central questions in developmental science

The Nature of Human Development

  • Human development refers to the pattern of movement or change that begins at conception and continues throughout the lifespan.

  • It is a systematic process that involves change and stability in individuals from the womb to tomb, highlighting that changes can be ordered, patterned, and relatively enduring.

  • Changes can represent gains, losses, or simply differences in human functioning.

Processes of Development

  1. Biological processes

    • Physical changes related to the body.

    • Examples: genes, brain development, nutrition, exercise, sleep, hormonal changes of puberty, motor skills.

  2. Cognitive processes

    • Changes in thinking, intelligence, and language.

    • Examples: perception, language, learning, memory, intelligence, decision-making.

  3. Socioemotional processes

    • Social and psychological changes related to personal and social factors.

    • Examples: mood, emotions, self-perception, personality, social skills, relationships.

Characteristics of Development

  • Multidimensional: Development encompasses biological, cognitive, and socioemotional dimensions, each containing several components.

  • Plastic: Development shows the capacity for change dependent on experiences, highlighted by neuroplasticity.

  • Contextual: Development occurs within various contexts influenced by historical, economic, and cultural factors.

  • Co-construction of Biology, Culture, and the Individual: Human development results from the interaction between genetic influences, cultural contexts, and individual experiences.

The Lifespan Perspective

  • Development is a lifelong process involving growth, maintenance, and regulation of loss throughout the human lifespan.

  • No single age period is deemed more crucial than others for development.

Developmental Involves Growth, Maintenance, & Regulation of Loss

  • Growth: Quantifiable physical changes measured from conception to maturity (e.g., muscle mass, height).

  • Maintenance and Regulation of Loss: Focus on sustaining physical and mental capacities amid aging while regulating losses encountered later in life.

Life Expectancy

  • Life expectancy indicates the average number of years a person born in a given year can expect to live.

  • Recent global life expectancy has plateaued, with the average Canadian's life expectancy as of 2021 at 82.60 years (80.62 years for males, 84.67 years for females).

Periods of Development

  1. Prenatal Period: Conception to birth (9-month period)

  2. Infancy: First 2 years of life (first month is neonatal)

  3. Childhood: 2 to 10-12 years old (early up to age 5-6)

  4. Adolescence: 10-12 to 18-22 years old

  5. Early Adulthood: Late teens or early 20s to 45 years old

  6. Middle & Late Adulthood: Middle (45-60 years), Late (60 to death)

Types of Age

  1. Chronological Age: The actual number of years a person has lived.

  2. Biological Age: Reflects the health and aging condition of a person’s bodily organs and systems, influenced by genetics and lifestyle.

  3. Psychological Age: How old one feels and behaves, influenced by memory and emotional state.

  4. Social Age: Relates to societal roles and expectations at various life stages, such as marriage and retirement.

Developmental Patterns of Aging

  1. Normal Aging: Characterizes most individuals, with psychological functioning peaking in middle age with gradual decline after.

  2. Pathological Aging: Involves greater-than-average decline in functioning and may include conditions like Alzheimer's disease.

  3. Successful Aging: Highlights individuals who maintain positive development longer, experiencing decline later than most individuals.

Central Questions in Developmental Science

  1. Nature vs Nurture: Examines whether development is primarily influenced by genetics (nature) or environmental factors (nurture).

    • Both nature and nurture interact to shape behavior and development.

  2. Continuity vs Discontinuity: Debates if development is continuous (gradual and cumulative) or discontinuous (distinct stages).

    • Continuity: Gradual changes (e.g., height growth).

    • Discontinuity: Sudden changes or shifts in kind (e.g., abstract thinking).

  3. Critical & Sensitive Periods: Investigates how timing influences development.

    • Critical Period: Specific times when certain events have the most significant impact on development.

    • Sensitive Period: Optimal periods for certain capacities to emerge, recognizing the plasticity of developmental stages.