CHAPTER 4 LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT

Lifespan development age related changes that occur from birth throughout a persons life, into
and during old age
Stages of Lifespan development
Infancy (0 -2 years) infants are dependent on adults, psychological characteristics rapidly
developing (perceptual abilities, ways of thinking, use of language/social skills)
Childhood (2-10 years) children become increasingly independent from parents in order to gain
more self- control, much time is spent in play and social learning
Adolescence (10 20 years) puberty associated with physical/psychological changes, seeking
independence, developing ones own identity, thought processes are more logical, complex and
idealistic
Early Adulthood (20 40 years) establishing personal and financial independence,
establishing/consolidating a career, start a family
Middle age (40 65 years) advancing a career and supporting offspring
Older age (65 + years) Retirement from paid work, decreasing strength and stamina
Areas of Lifespan Development
Physical development changes in the body and its various systems, such as development of the
brain/nervous system, bones and muscles, motor skills
Social development changes in an individuals relationships with other people and their skills in
interacting with others
Cognitive development changes in an individuals mental abilities, such as processing information
through perception, learning, moral reasoning and problem solving
Emotional development changes in how an individual experiences different feelings and how
these feelings are expressed, interpreted and dealt with
NB : Physical and psychological development DO NOT occur independently of each other. How you
think/feel can influence your physiological state in both subtle and more obvious ways
HEREDITY VS ENVIRONMENT
Heredity the transmission of characteristics from biological parents to their offspring via genes at
the time of conception
Environment all the experiences, objects and events to which we are exposed throughout our
entire lifetime


NATURE VS NUTURE
Nature = heredity
Nurture = environment
Both heredity and environmental factors interact to shape human development
ROLE OF MATURATION IN DEVELOPMENT
Maturation orderly and sequential developmental changes which occur in the nervous system and
other bodily structures controlled by our genes
Principle of readiness unless the necessary bodily structures are sufficiently mature, then no
amount of practise will produce the particular behaviour
Sensitive period period of time when an individual is more responsive to certain influences from
their environment
DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY FROM DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES
Biological perspective focuses on the biological/physiological bases of development (heredity
influences development of psychological characteristics)
Eg. Conduct research to find out the extent to which genes influence the development of
intelligence, personality
Behavioural perspective focuses on how behaviour is acquired/modified as a result of
environmental influences
Eg. Consider the role of parenting styles on the psychological treatment of children and whether
punishment/rewards influence child behaviour
Cognitive perspective focuses on changes in how we acquire, process, remember and use
information throughout the lifespan
Socio-cultural perspective focuses on the roles of social and cultural influences on human
behaviour and mental processes
Eg. Compare the effect of adolescence confidence of living in the city compared with living in
isolated community
Biopsychosocial model framework that takes into account all aspects of an individual to provide a
holistic view of mental health