Introduction to developmental psychology

Development of a human being from a conception to a full grown adult is a subject

that has fascinated people over generations. Not only is this knowledge useful as a tool for
understanding self, but also for guiding the development of human beings .

Definition of development:

Development refers to systematic continuities and changes in the individual that occur
between conception (when the father's sperm penetrates the mother's ovum, creating a
new organism)

Concept check:

Growth:

Growth indicates the quantitative changes in the body such as height and weight. In
contrast, development refers to both the qualitative and quantitative changes,
(e.g. language acquisition).

Development:

Systematic continuities and changes in the individual over the course of life.

Developmental continuities:

Ways in which we remain stable over time or continue to reflect our past

Developmental psychology:

Branch of psychology devoted to identifying and explaining the continuities and changes
that individuals display overtime.

Developmentalist

Any scholar, regardless of discipline, who seeks to understand the developmental process
(e.g. psychologists, biologists, sociologists, anthropologists, educators).