LIFE SPAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Life Span Human Development



Life Span Human Development

Introduction

Developmental psychology uses the term lifespan development to encompass all of the development that occurs from birth throughout life. Lifespan development covers all stages of development and progress from the birth of a person to his death and is studied in a variety of ways. However, it can be broken down for better understanding and study. (Boyd, 2009)

Types

1. Development can be broken down into three major components that can overlap at times: biological, cognitive and psychosocial.

Biological Development

2. Biological development is the development of the body, the processes and changes that occur.

Cognitive Development

3. Cognitive development consists of all the mental processes and developments that occur, including problem solving, logic, reason and imagination/creativity. (Boyd, Bee, 2009)

Psychosocial Development

4. Psychosocial development is the development and changes in emotions, personality and social interactions.

Explanation

Periods of Life

5. To further simplify the concept of lifespan development, life is broken down into periods. These periods are determined by the developmental stages and changes, as they can be grouped together. For instance, the period of birth to age 2 is a period of lifespan development because the development here is clearly related and a recognizable stage in development that forms the foundations for the following stage, from age 2 to age 6. In each stage, the three components of development can be studied. (Boyd, Bee, 2009)

Human Development Domains and PeriodsThe three major domains of development each affecting each other is biological, cognitive and psychosocial. The biological domain represents bodily changes, maturation and growth. The cognitive domain consists of mental processes of imaging, perceiving, reasoning and problem solving. This leaves the psychosocial domain, the emotions personality and social interactions and expectations. Within these domains, lie eight periods within human development.

The lifespan development is divided into eight major periods of human development consisting of the infancy and toddler, early childhood, middle childhood, adolescence, early adulthood, middle adulthood, and late adulthood (Boyd & Bee, 2006, p.7). Throughout life, a human will proceed through each stage. As the newborn grows into toddler, thinking, language, and personality characterize these individuals. In the middle years, family school and friends along with personality and cognitive skills become important. The transition of childhood to adulthood shows sexual development to be apparent leading to thoughts of marriage and career. As adults age the thought of retirement become apparent.

Characteristics of the Lifespan PerspectiveThe development has unique features depending ...