Chapter 1 Lesson 1

Introduction to
Human Development
Basic Concepts and Issues on
Human Development
Developmental Stages
 Definition of childhood and adolescence
FR

Childhood
• Time or state of being a child
• Connotes a time of innocence

Definition of childhood and adolescence 2

 Definition of childhood and adolescence FR

Adolescence
• Latin adolescentia, from adolescere, “to grow
up”
• Period of psychological and social transition
from childhood to adulthood
• Transitional stage of human development in
which a juvenile matures into an adult

Definition of childhood and adolescence 3

 Definition of childhood and adolescence FR

Adolescence
• Latin dolor, meaning “pain”
• Stage where a person experiences
dramatic changes in the body
• Period of life between 10 and 19
years of age

Definition of childhood and adolescence 4

 Definition of Human Development
FR

Development
• A pattern of movement or change
that starts at conception and
continues throughout life.

Definition of childhood and adolescence 5

 FR
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GROWTH
AND DEVELOPMENT
GROWTH DEVELOPMENT
The term is used in purely physical sense. Implies overall change in shape, form or
It generally refers to increase in size and structure resulting in improved working or
length, etc. functioning.
Has quantitative measure Has qualitative measure

Stops at maturity Continues throughout life and is

progressive
An aspect of development An integrated whole in which growth is a
part

Definition of childhood and adolescence 6

Major Principles
of Human
Development

Add a footer 7
1. Development is relatively
orderly.

▪Proximodistal
▪Cephalocaudal
PROXIMODISTAL PATTERN

▪Development proceeds
from the center of the
body outward
CEPHALOCAUDAL PATTERN

▪Development proceeds
from the head
downward
2. While the pattern of
development is likely to be
similar, the outcomes of
developmental processes and the
rate of development are likely to
vary among individuals.
3. Development takes place
gradually.
4. Development as a process
is complex because it is the
product of biological,
cognitive, and socio
emotional processes.
Approaches to
Human
Development

• Traditional Perspective
• Life-span Approach

Add a footer 14
Traditional Perspective

• believes that individuals

will show extensive
change from birth to
adolescence, little or no
change in adulthood
and decline in late old
age
Life-span Approach

• believes that even in

adulthood,
developmental change
takes place as it does
during childhood
Characteristics of a
Life-span
Perspective
Development is LIFE-LONG.

• It does not end in

adulthood.
• No developmental stage
dominates development.
Development is MULTIDIMENSIONAL.

• It consists of biological,
cognitive, and socio-
emotional dimensions.
Development is PLASTIC.

• Development is possible
throughout the lifespan.
Development is CONTEXTUAL.

• Individuals are changing

beings in a changing
world.
Development involves GROWTH,
MAINTENANCE, and REGULATION.

• The goals of individuals

vary among
developmental stages.
Core Issue on
Human
Development:
Nature or
Nurture?

Add a footer 23
Is development due more to
genetics or environment?

The debate over the relative contributions of

inheritance and the environment, usually referred
to as the nature versus nurture debate is one of
the oldest issues in both philosophy and
psychology.
NATURE vs NURTURE

Nature refers to an individual’s biological inheritance.

• Genes provide the blueprint for all behaviors, some present from
birth, others pre-programmed to emerge with age.

• Plato, Descartes, Charles Darwin

Nurture refers to environmental experiences

• influence of external factors after conception, e.g., the product of
exposure, life experiences and learning of an individual.
• John Locke, Aristotle
Periods of
Development
and
Developmental
Tasks

Add a footer 26
DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES

Development is commonly described in terms of periods or stages.

• John Santrock (2002)

• Robert Havighurst (1972

Santrock Havighurst
1. Pre-natal Period (conception-birth) 1. Infancy and Early Childhood (0-5 years)
2. Infancy (birth to 18-24 months) 2. Middle Childhood (6-12 years)
3. Early Childhood (end of infancy to 5-6 3. Adolescence (13-18 years)
years) 4. Early Adulthood (19-29 years)
4. Middle and Late Childhood (6-11 years) 5. Middle Adulthood (30-60 years)
5. Adolescence (10-12 to 18-22 years) 6. Later Maturity (61 onwards)
6. Early Adulthood (from late teens or early
20s lasting through the 30s)
7. Middle Adulthood (40-60 years)
8. Late Adulthood (60s and above)
DEVELOPMENTAL TASKS

• Robert Havighurst (1972)

- a task which an individual has to and wants to solve in a
particular life-period.

• Some tasks are the same for everyone; some are different in
different societies.