Developmental Psychology Exam Notes & Theories Summary
Complete Study Guide for Psychology Students
Introduction to Developmental Psychology:
Developmental psychology studies physical, cognitive, emotional, and social changes that occur
throughout the human lifespan.
It examines how people grow and change from infancy to old age.
Major Areas of Development
Area Description
Physical Development Changes in
body and brain
Cognitive Development Changes in
thinking and
learning
Emotional Developmenf Development
of feelings and
emotions
Social Development Interaction with
others
Important Theories of Development:
Main Psychologists:
Jean Piaget
Erik Erikson
Sigmund Freud
Lawrence Kohlberg
Lev Vygotsky
, Jean Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory:
Piaget focused on how children develop thinking abilities.
Key Concepts:
•Schema
•Assimilation
•Accommodation
Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development:
Stage Age Characteristics
Sensorimotor 0–2 years Learning
through senses
and actions
Preoperational 2–7 years Language
develops,
egocentrism
Concrete 7–11 years Logical thinking Operational begins
Formal
Operational 12+ years Abstract
thinking develops
1.Sensorimotor Stage:
Characteristics:
•Object permanence develops
•Child explores through senses
•Coordination improves
Important Concept:
Complete Study Guide for Psychology Students
Introduction to Developmental Psychology:
Developmental psychology studies physical, cognitive, emotional, and social changes that occur
throughout the human lifespan.
It examines how people grow and change from infancy to old age.
Major Areas of Development
Area Description
Physical Development Changes in
body and brain
Cognitive Development Changes in
thinking and
learning
Emotional Developmenf Development
of feelings and
emotions
Social Development Interaction with
others
Important Theories of Development:
Main Psychologists:
Jean Piaget
Erik Erikson
Sigmund Freud
Lawrence Kohlberg
Lev Vygotsky
, Jean Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory:
Piaget focused on how children develop thinking abilities.
Key Concepts:
•Schema
•Assimilation
•Accommodation
Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development:
Stage Age Characteristics
Sensorimotor 0–2 years Learning
through senses
and actions
Preoperational 2–7 years Language
develops,
egocentrism
Concrete 7–11 years Logical thinking Operational begins
Formal
Operational 12+ years Abstract
thinking develops
1.Sensorimotor Stage:
Characteristics:
•Object permanence develops
•Child explores through senses
•Coordination improves
Important Concept:
