chapter outline:
the life span perspective
the nature of development
theories of development
research in life span development
development: the pattern of change beginning at conception and
continuing throughout the life span
life span perspective: the perspective that development is lifelong,
multidimensional, multidirectional, plastic, multidisciplinary, and
contextual.
•development involves growth, maintenance, and regulation and
is constructed through biological, sociocultural, and individual
factors working together
•also includes decline brought on by aging and dying
•the emphasis is on developmental change throughout childhood
and adulthood
life expectancy
-the upper boundary of the human life span is 122 years
-life expectancy in the united states is about 79 years
-people are living longer in part due to better sanitation,
nutrition, and medicine
-currently more people are over 60 than under 18
development has these qualities:
1. lifelong
2. multidimensional
3. multidirectional
4. plastic