Human Growth and Development
Human Growth and Development
Peter Nyarkoh
PSY/280
July 17, 2010
Khurshid Khan
Human Growth and Development Human growth and the life span perspective begin from the day of conception and continue throughout the life span. It is a lifelong process which involves periods and domains of very great importance. Psychologist, sociologist, and others have done many researches into the life span of humans and have made various conclusions as to how humans behave at any given time in the life span. According to experts, the life span perspective of human development involves three key developmental domains (Hernandez, 2008). These are the physical domain, the cognitive domain, and the social domain. The physical domain deals with the physical changes that a person goes through. For example, height, shape changes, weight fluctuations, and puberty can all be described as changes that happen in the physical domain. Thinking, the decision making process and memory can also be identified as cognitive domain. The social domain deals with social life, which includes changes in variables that are associated with a person’s relationship with others (Hernandez, 2008).
Now let us discuss how all these changes affect a person throughout the development process. It is also important to analyze some of the developmental theories and identify how they relate to human growth. Moreover, heredity and the environment are two important factors that affect the growth and development of every individual. Therefore it is of great benefit to examine how these factors influence human development, from the day of conception though the entire life span.
Theories of Human Growth and Development There are six main theories related to human growth and development. All the theories point to some specific behaviors and attitudes that happen throughout the life span. Some of these theories are not in agreement due to the fact that they are based on the findings of different researchers.
Peter Nyarkoh
PSY/280
July 17, 2010
Khurshid Khan
Human Growth and Development Human growth and the life span perspective begin from the day of conception and continue throughout the life span. It is a lifelong process which involves periods and domains of very great importance. Psychologist, sociologist, and others have done many researches into the life span of humans and have made various conclusions as to how humans behave at any given time in the life span. According to experts, the life span perspective of human development involves three key developmental domains (Hernandez, 2008). These are the physical domain, the cognitive domain, and the social domain. The physical domain deals with the physical changes that a person goes through. For example, height, shape changes, weight fluctuations, and puberty can all be described as changes that happen in the physical domain. Thinking, the decision making process and memory can also be identified as cognitive domain. The social domain deals with social life, which includes changes in variables that are associated with a person’s relationship with others (Hernandez, 2008).
Now let us discuss how all these changes affect a person throughout the development process. It is also important to analyze some of the developmental theories and identify how they relate to human growth. Moreover, heredity and the environment are two important factors that affect the growth and development of every individual. Therefore it is of great benefit to examine how these factors influence human development, from the day of conception though the entire life span.
Theories of Human Growth and Development There are six main theories related to human growth and development. All the theories point to some specific behaviors and attitudes that happen throughout the life span. Some of these theories are not in agreement due to the fact that they are based on the findings of different researchers.
References: Berger, K.S. (2010). Invitation to the Life Span. New York: Worth publishers. Hernandez, C. (2008). Lifespan Perspective on Human Development. Retrieved on July 15, 2010. At http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/950617/lifespan_perspective_on_human_development.html?cat=47 Ojiem, G. (2008). Theories of Human Development: Freudian, Cognitive, Environmental and More. Retrieved on July 15, 2010. At http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/78543/theories_of_human_development_freudian.html?cat=47