PSYCHOLOGY

GROWTH
&
DEVELOPMENT

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT

Growth can be defined as an increase in
size, length, height, and weight or the
changes in quantitative aspects of an
organism.

Development is a series of orderly

progression towards maturity. It implies
overall qualitative changes resulting in
the improved functioning of the
organism.

GROWTH VS DEVELOPMENT
quantitative changes in size,
weight number etc.
one of the parts of development.
changes that take place in
particular aspects of the body &
behaviour
continue throughout life but
stops with the attainment of
maturity
changes may be measured
quantitative & observable
may or may not bring about
development.

qualitative
changes in the quality
overall changes in the
individual. Growth is one of
its parts
describes the changes in the
organism as a whole.
continuous process- from
womb to tomb
changes are qualitative in
nature
&
cannot
be
measured- can be assessed
possible without growth

PRINCIPLES OF DEVELOPMENT

There are seven principles of development

that have been put forth from the scientific
knowledge gained from observing
children.

PRINCIPLES OF DEVELOPMENT

PRINCIPLE OF CONTINUOUS DEVELOPMENT

PRINCIPLE OF ORDERLY DEVELOPMENT
PRINCIPLE OF SEQUENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
PRINCIPLE OF UNIQUE DEVELOPMENT
PRINCIPLE OF INTER-RELATED DEVELOPMENT
PRINCIPLE OF INTERACTION OF HEREDITY &
ENVIROMENT
PRINCIPLE OF INTERACTION OF MATURATION &
LEARNING

PRINCIPLE OF CONTINUOUS
DEVELOPMENT

This states that development is a

continuous process.
Only disease or severe malnutrition
may halt its continuity for some time.

PRINCIPLE OF ORDERLY DEVELOPMENT

It states that development proceeds from

general to specific directions.

PRINCIPLE OF SEQUENTIAL DEVELOPMENT

According to this, development follows a
sequential pattern wherein puberty is achieved
before full physical structure.

PRINCIPLE OF UNIQUE DEVELOPMENT

This states that even though
there is a set pattern of
development
every
individual
differs
with
regards to the time he
achieves the changes.
For ex. All children crawl
before standing but the age
at which they perform these
activities is different.

PRINCIPLE OF INTER-RELATED
DEVELOPMENT

This states that the three types of developments that

take place in an individual are social, mental and
emotional.
However these three are inter-related and one
doesnt exist without the other.

PRINCIPLE OF INTERACTION OF HEREDITY

& ENVIROMENT
According
to
this
principle, an individual
is the product of his
heredity
and
environment.
Even though the genes
play an important role
in determining the rate
and quality of growth
and development, his
socio-cultural,
emotional and physical
environment has its
own importance.

PRINCIPLE OF INTERACTION OF
MATURATION & LEARNING
Maturation refers to the
changes in the developing
organism due to ripening
of
abilities,
characteristics,
traits,
behaviour due to training
etc.
This principle states that
the interaction of the
maturity and learning
process of an individual
influences growth and
development.

STAGES OF CHILDS DEVELOPMENT

Every child is a changing,
growing and developing
organism.
Rousseau
attempted to divide the
childs development into 4
stages.
infancy lasting upto 5 years,
childhood lasting upto 12
years,
adolescence upto 18 years
maturity from 18 years
onwards