Chapter 4: Lifespan Development

Key questions in chapter:

What role do biological processes such as generic
make-up play in being able to engage in processes
such as understanding right and wring, making
plans, sending a text message?
What role to environmental factors play? For
example, the influence of our family, friends, cultural
group to which we belong and society in general?
All these questions are considered by psychologists who
study lifespan development.

DEFINING LIFESPAN DEVLOPMENT

Lifespan development- refers to the age-related changes
that occur from birth, throughout a persons life, into
and during old age.
Psychologists focus on development after birth (excluding
development in utero).

*Psychologists who study lifespan development aim to
understand, describe, explain and predict the many
ways in which our thoughts, feelings and behaviour
change throughout our lives.

A change- is described as relatively permanent or lasting
to be considered a developmental change.

Eg: a short-term loss of a memory as a result of a sporting
injury is not considered a developmental change.

*Lifespan development covers both relatively permanent
changes which are common to all individuals, as well as
changes which differ between individuals.

Eg: studying language development tells us that six year olds
should have about 270 words in their vocabulary

*Psychologists also use the results from their research on
human development to suggest how desirable changes can
be best achieved and how undesirable changes can be
avoided or overcome.

Eg: Older people may be able to keep their mind active and
effective by completing puzzles



*Focal point for
development of
my knowledge.
*I will
understand all
these things as
the conclusion of
the chapter.




*What is lifespan
development?


*What do
lifespan
development
psychologists
focus on?



*What
constitutes
change?












*Can I define,
describe and
provide complex
examples of
lifespan
development?



STAGES OF LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT

The following are age-based stages psychologists use to
study, research and describe age-related changes.

*The age range for each stage provides a general idea of
when each stage starts and ends, but is not conclusive

Eg: a person doesnt suddenly move into older age as soon as
they turn 65.

Infancy- is the stage that extends from birth to
approximately two years.

*Infant is dependent on adults during this stage, but many
psychological characteristics are rapidly developing.

Eg: perceptual abilities, ways of thinking, use of language
and social skills.

Childhood- extends from approximately two to ten years of
age.

*Children become increasingly more independent from
their parents as they learn to do things for themselves and
gain more self-control.

Eg: basic skills of reading, writing and maths, in formal
education and learning through play.

*During this stage, childrens cognitive skills develop and
they begin to understand what is right and wrong.

Adolescence- begins around ten to twelve years of age
and continues until the age of approx. twenty to twenty-
four years.

*The onset of puberty marks the beginning of adolescence.

Puberty- is associated with many physical and psychological
changes.

*Adolescence is dominated by seeking independence and
developing identity.

*Friends/peer groups exert considerable influence over
development and social contact outside family is highly
important.

*How many
stages are
included
throughout the
lifespan?



*Are the stages
absolute or
approximate?