Preview

Life Span Perspective Analysis

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1739 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Life Span Perspective Analysis
Life Span Perspectives

There are many beginnings to the study of human development. The study of human developments is a science that strives to discern how people change over time (Berger, 2011). To do this, developmentalists study all types of people from different age groups, ethnicity, culture, background, nationality, income, and sexual orientation, among many other factors. To begin to understand this science, one must start by looking at what is being studied, some of the major theories that shape and guide these studies, and the interaction of heredity and the environment on human development (Berger, 2011).

Developmentalists seek to tackle the challenge of defining humans in a way that simultaneously describes the universalities
…show more content…
This concept is based on the idea that the tools and principles for development are provided by not only customs, but society as a whole (Berger, 2011). The pioneer of the sociocultural perspective was a man named Lev Vygotsky. By studying the cognitive competency of his diverse society, he developed a theory of guided participation. Guided participation is a technique in which novices learn through shared involvement of an activity with instruction and the participation of a skilled mentor (Berger, 2011). Sociocultural theory places an emphasis on social interaction in learning. Gauvain (1998) stated, “cognitive development occurs in, and emerges from, social situations” …show more content…
Developmentalists formed five characteristics that are beneficial for understanding human life at any age: multidirectional, multicontextual, multicultural, multidisciplinary, and plasticity (Berger, 2011). Additionally, theories of development present introduce organization for understanding the patterns and problems of development. Sociocultural theory suggests that human development is the result of a dynamic interaction between a person and their society, while epigenetic theory is centered on the idea that development is shaped by the interaction between genes and the environment. Every aspect of human behavior is affected by genes and without the environment, no gene could be expressed (Berger,

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    The study and research of human development has always been intriguing, yet intensive. There are five perspectives commonly discussed in human development. The perspectives include: psychoanalytic, learning, cognitive, contextual, and evolutionary/sociobiological. Those who follow the contextual perspective tend to believe that development can be better understood in its social context. Additionally, they observe the individual as an inseparable component of the environment. Psychologist Urie Bronfenbrenner is responsible for producing one of the most well-known and essential contextual theories. Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory views development within a complex system of relationships affected by multiple levels of the surrounding environment…

    • 636 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    CNDV 5301

    • 423 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The contextual perspective considers the relationship between individuals and their physical, cognitive, personality, and social worlds. The bioecological approach stresses the interrelatedness of developmental areas and the importance of broad cultural factors in human development. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory emphasizes the central influence on cognitive development exerted by social interactions between members of a culture.…

    • 423 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    When it comes to measuring the development of differences among individuals, it is appropriate to separate the contribution of genetics and experiences, because each 
generic make-up is unique. At the same time, individuals are raised in many different 
ways, which causes that each individual’s values and beliefs are also a unique contributions to their development.…

    • 323 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    CERTIFICATE OF ORIGINALITY: I certify that the attached paper, which was produced for the class identified above, is my original work and has not previously been submitted by me or by anyone else for any class. I further declare that I have cited all sources from which I used language, ideas and information, whether quoted verbatim or paraphrased, and that any and all assistance of any kind, which I received while producing this paper, has been acknowledged in the References section. This paper includes no trademarked material, logos, or images from the Internet, which I do not have written permission to include. I further agree that my name typed on the line below is intended to have, and shall have the same validity as my handwritten signature.…

    • 594 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    The influence of the contextual world view on the conceptualization of the individual in relation to developmental psychology can be described as follows: First, the individual is seen as constantly changing. In addition, the change that occurs is viewed as an interaction of the individual and the context within which they live. Thus, a developmental psychologist operating from this perspective would examine the interaction of biological, psychological, historical, and sociological factors on an individual's development; the gestalt including not only the individual but also the context/culture within which the individual develops. Therefore, this perspective takes a holistic/ecological view of development. Second, the individual is seen as both active and reactive. Development comes from within…

    • 593 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Chapter 1 Notes (PSY 402)

    • 2040 Words
    • 9 Pages

    à Biopsychosocial perspective - "a view of development as a complex interaction of biological, psychosocial, and social processes"…

    • 2040 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The aim of this assignment is to explore the development changes that occur at different life stages i.e. Conception, birth and infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age. As well as socio- economic factors and life events that can influence, positively or negatively, the growth and development of individuals.…

    • 2208 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The life span perspective of development provides interesting information about the development of individuals throughout their lifetime, such as who different individuals are, how individuals developed into who they are, and who or what individuals will end up becoming. The psychoanalytic perspective of psychology offers a deeper look into life span development and helps explain the stages of development that people go through in their life. The life span perspective of development also provides significant facts in regard to how the effects of heredity, and the environment may come together in order to produce individual differences in life span development.…

    • 961 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Week 2 PSY 280

    • 1387 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Theories were established in learning the dynamic aspects of human growth and development. Human growth refers to the physical aspects that occur as human life exist from the start of conception to the end of life. It can be quantified and measured through an individual’s physiological attributes such as the height, weight, dental progression, and bone structure. Development pertains to the stages and characteristics describing the complexity of cognitive skills and social skills being established by an individual as they age from their conception or fetal stage and matures into adulthood. Theories of development were created from different school of thoughts that are products from processes of methodological thinking in providing a basis of intellectual arguments to address the questions regarding human behaviors and actions through age, contact to other individuals, experiences and situations, and their environment.…

    • 1387 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Four major theories of human development are described, compared, and evaluated in Chapter 1. These are the psychoanalytic theories of Freud and Erikson; the behaviorism of Watson and Skinner and the social learning theory of Bandura; Piaget’s cognitive theory; and systems theories, including Bronfenbrenner’s ecological-systems approach and the dynamic-systems theory. Although each theory is too restricted to account solely for the tremendous diversity in human development, each has made an important contribution to developmental psychology.…

    • 532 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Vander Zanden, James W., Crandell, Thomas L., Crandell, Corinne Haines (2007). Human Development. 8th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Co., Inc.…

    • 1548 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Various aspects of human development are combined together to make-up an individual’s growth and development. Human development contains three dimensions which are, biological development, psychological development, . Each theory differs in terms of the weight or importance it assigns to these biological, psychological, or social factors. Nonetheless, they each acknowledge there is an important inter-relationship between nature biology and temperament and nurture the social environment and life experience in the formation of personality experiences in the formation of personality. These aspects of human development or behavior can be developed by an individual’s culture, family, and community. During an individual’s life span, the foundation of human development begins to change, which is a direct result of an individual’s social environment.…

    • 1070 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Developmental psychology studies the effect of “nature and nurture” on the process of human development, processes of change in context and across time from Infant to Adult stage. “Development” defines the progress of humans during the term of life, from the day of birth until death. The scientific study of human development search for understands and explains how and why people change through their life. This includes all aspects of human growth, as well as physical, emotional, intellectual, social, perceptual, and personality change. Development psychology not only just involves the biological and physical aspects of progress, but also the thought and social aspects associated with development during life. Developmental psychology contains…

    • 133 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Crandell, T. L., Zanden, J. W. V., & Crandell, C. H. (2009). Human Development. New York City, NY: McGraw-Hill.…

    • 1194 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    References: Sigelman, Carol K. and Rider, Elizabeth A. (2006). Life-Span Human Development (5th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth…

    • 1051 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays