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Developmental Psychology

Developmental Psychology

Chapter 1

1 Orientation to Lifespan Development
A. Life span development- Field of study that examines patterns of growth, change, and stability in behavior that occur throughout the entire lifespan. Scientific study of thinking, behavior, physical, cognitive, social, and personality development.
1. Life span goes from conception to death
2. Life span development focuses on human development and examines growth and change in people
3. Regardless of approach, the theorist takes all developmentalists new development as a continuing process throughout a life span
2. Characterizing Lifespan- The scope of the field or study
A. Physical development- Development involving ways that the enduring characteristics that differentiate one person from another change over the life span
1. Physical development emphasizes how the brain, nervous system, muscles, sensory capabilities, need of food, drink, and sleep affect behavior.
2. Physical development declines during adulthood
B. Cognitive development- Development involving the ways that growth and change in intellectual capabilities influence a person’s behavior
1. Cognitive development emphasizes intellectual abilities, including learning, memory, problem solving, and intelligence
C. Personality development- Involves ways that the enduring characteristics that differentiate one person from another change over lifespan
D. Social development- Way in which individuals interact with others and their social relationships grow, change, and remain stable over the course of life
1. Personality and social development emphasizes enduring characteristics that differentiate one person from another and how interactions with others and social relationships grow and change over a lifetime
3. Age Ranges and Individual differences
A. Prenatal period- Conception to birth
B. Infancy and Toddler hood- Birth to 3 years
C. Preschool Period- 3 years to 6 years
D. Middle Childhood-...