Developmental Psychology
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PSYC 112 – HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Definition of terms
This is the study of how people change physically, cognitively, socially and emotionally over the entire lifespan. Its major interest is on how and why the human organism grows and changes from its initial form in utero to an adult being.
The term growth and development both refer to dynamic process. Often used interchangeably, these terms have different meanings. Growth and development are interdependent, interrelated processes. Growth generally takes place during the first 20 years of life; development continues after that.
Growth:
* Is physical change and increase in size. * It can be measured quantitatively. * Indicators of growth include height, weight, bone size, and dentition. * Growth rates vary during different stages of growth and development. * The growth rate is rapid during the prenatal, neonatal, infancy and adolescent stages and slows during childhood. * Physical growth is minimal during adulthood.
Development:
* Is an increase in the complexity of function and skill progression. * It is the capacity and skill of a person to adapt to the environment. * Development is the behavioural aspect of growth. * Refers to qualitative changes
Development can be defined as changes in a person’s physical and neurological structures, behaviour, and trails that emerge in orderly ways and are reasonably consistent in their 1st 20 years of life, these changes usually result in new, improved ways of reacting – ie behaviour that is healthier, more organized, more complex, more stable more efficient eg from creeping to walking, running; babbling to talking; concrete to abstract thinking.
The Goals of Developmental Psychology
Developmental psychology is mainly concerned with the description, explanation, prediction, and modification of age related behaviours during the full life span from conception to death. Some developmental psychologists emphasize specific ages (e.g.,
PSYC 112 – HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Definition of terms
This is the study of how people change physically, cognitively, socially and emotionally over the entire lifespan. Its major interest is on how and why the human organism grows and changes from its initial form in utero to an adult being.
The term growth and development both refer to dynamic process. Often used interchangeably, these terms have different meanings. Growth and development are interdependent, interrelated processes. Growth generally takes place during the first 20 years of life; development continues after that.
Growth:
* Is physical change and increase in size. * It can be measured quantitatively. * Indicators of growth include height, weight, bone size, and dentition. * Growth rates vary during different stages of growth and development. * The growth rate is rapid during the prenatal, neonatal, infancy and adolescent stages and slows during childhood. * Physical growth is minimal during adulthood.
Development:
* Is an increase in the complexity of function and skill progression. * It is the capacity and skill of a person to adapt to the environment. * Development is the behavioural aspect of growth. * Refers to qualitative changes
Development can be defined as changes in a person’s physical and neurological structures, behaviour, and trails that emerge in orderly ways and are reasonably consistent in their 1st 20 years of life, these changes usually result in new, improved ways of reacting – ie behaviour that is healthier, more organized, more complex, more stable more efficient eg from creeping to walking, running; babbling to talking; concrete to abstract thinking.
The Goals of Developmental Psychology
Developmental psychology is mainly concerned with the description, explanation, prediction, and modification of age related behaviours during the full life span from conception to death. Some developmental psychologists emphasize specific ages (e.g.,