• Developmental Psychology- study of ➢ Concept of childhood is a social

human development throughout the life construct , its form varies across
span in the areas of cultures.
- Physical
DOMAINS/ASPECTS OF DEVELOPMENT
- Cognitive
- Moral • Physical development-
- Social development of the body and
- Emotional brain including patterns of
- It covers major developmental change in sensory capacities,
theories and emphasis is given to motor skills and health.
the system perspective and • Cognitive development- change
interactive dimensions of human in mental abilities such as
development. learning, attention, memory,
• Human development- scientific study of language, thinking, reasoning
the systematic process of change and and creativity.
stability of people • Psychosocial Development-
• Development- systematic changes and pattern of change in emotions,
continuities in the individual that occur personality, and social
between conception and death or “from relationships.
womb to tomb” ➢ Each aspect of development affect
➢ The application of the scientific the others
study of development has an impact
on child-rearing, education, health LIFE SPAN DEVELOPMENTAL
and social policy APPROACH

EXAMPLE OF POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT • Development is lifelong- no

period is more or less important
1. Becoming toilet trained than the others
2. Enrolling in a college course after • Development is
retirement multidirectional- Though
3. Acquisition of language skills development is expected to
4. Formation of friendships grow positively, people can gain
EXAMPLE OF NEGATIVE DEVELOPMENT or lose at some point.
• Development is
1. Wetting the bed after a traumatic multidimensional- it occurs
experience along multiple interacting
2. Isolating after retirement dimensions- biological,
3. Low Self-Esteem psychological, and social each of
4. Aggressive behavior which may develop at changing
rates.
PERIODS OF LIFE SPAN
• Relative influences of biology
Social construction- concept or practice and culture shift over the life
that is an invention of a particular span- biology and culture play
culture or society an important role and influence
 over development. The balance
of this influences change.
• Development involves
changing resource allocations-
allocations of resources change
over time and where it is
invested (time, energy, talent,
money and social support).
During childhood the bulk
allocation of resources goes to
growth, adulthood into loss and
middle life becomes balanced.
• Development shows plasticity-
abilities such as memory,
strength, and endurance can be
improved significantly with
training and practice.
• Development is influenced by
history and cultural context-
each person develops within
multiple contexts and
circumstances.

ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT HUMAN

NATURE

Rousseau (1712- 1778) - “Children are innately

good, in that they were born with an intuitive
understanding of right and wrong and they
would develop in positive directions as long as
society does not interfere with their natural
tendencies

Thomas Hobbes- children are inherently bad

John Locke- children are neither good or bad

AGE PERIOD PHYSICAL COGNITIVE PSYCHOSOCIAL
DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT
Prenatal period -conception occurs. -abilities to learn and -fetus responds to
(conception to birth) -genes interact with remember and to mothers voice and
environmental respond to sensory develops preference for
influences. stimuli are developing. it.

-basic body structures

and organs from, brain
growth spurt begins.

-vulnerability to
environmental
influences is great.
Infancy and -all senses and body -abilities to learn and -attachments to
toddlerhood (birth to systems operate at remember are present parents and others
age 3) birth to varying even in early weeks. form
degrees. -self- awareness
-use of symbols and develops
-The brain grows in ability to solve -interest in other
complexity and is problems develop by children increases.
sensitive to end of second year.
environmental
influences. -comprehension and
use of language
-Physical growth and develop rapidly.
development of motor
skills are rapid.
Early childhood (ages 3 -growth is steady, -understanding of other -self concept and
to 6) appearance becomes people’s perspective understanding of
more slender and grows. emotions become
proportions more more complex.
adultlike. -cognitive immaturity
results in some illogical -independence,
-appetite diminishes ideas about the world initiative and self
and sleep problems are control increase.
common. -memory and language
improve. -gender identity
-handedness appears develops.
fine and gross motor -intelligence becomes
skills and strength more predictable. -Play becomes more
improve. imaginative, elaborate
-preschool experience and social
is common and
 kindergarten -Altruism, aggression
experience is more so. and fearfulness is
common.

-Family is still the focus

of social life but other
children become more
important.

Middle childhood -growth slows. -egocentrism -self concept becomes

(ages 6 to 11) diminishes. Children more complex,
-strength and athletic begin to think logically affecting self esteem.
skills improve. but concretely.
-coregulation reflects
-respiratory illnesses -memory and language gradual shift in control
are common but health skills increase. from parents to child.
is generally better than
at any other time in the -some children show -peers assume central
life span. special educational importance.
needs and strengths.
Adolescence (ages 11 -physical growth and -ability to think -search for identity,
to about 20) other changes are rapid abstractly and use including sexual
and profound. scientific reasoning identity becomes
develops. central.
-reproductive maturity
occurs -immature thinking -relationships with
persists in some parents are generally
-major health risks arise attitudes and good.
from behavioral issues behaviors.
such as eating disorders -peer group may exert a
and drug abuse. -Education focuses on positive or negative
preparation for college influence.
or vocation.
Emerging and young -physical condition -thought and moral -personality traits and
adulthood (ages 20 to peaks then declines judgements becomes styles become
40) slightly. more complex. relatively stable.

-lifestyle choices -educational and -intimate relationships

influence health. occupational choices and personal lifestyle
are made, sometimes are established but
after period of may not be lasting.
exploration.
 -most people marry
and most become
parents.
Middle adulthood -slow deterioration of -mental abilities peak, -sense of identity
(ages 40 to 65) sensory abilities,
expertise and practical continues to develop,
health, stamina and problem solving skills middle transition may
strength may begin but are high. occur
individual differences
are wide. -creative output may -dual responsibilities of
decline but improve in caring for children and
-women experience quality. parents may cause
menopause. - Career success and stress
earning powers may -launching of children
peak or burnout career leaves empty nest.
change may occur.
Late adulthood (age 65 -most people are -most people are -retirement from
and over) healthy and active mentally alert workforce may occur.
although health and
physical abilities -although intelligence -people develop more
generally decline. and memory may flexible strategies to
-slowing or reaction deteriorate in some cope with persons
time affects some areas most people find losses and impending
aspects of functioning. way to compensate. death.

-relationships with
family and close friends
can provide important
support

-search for meaning in

life assumes central
importance.