Developmental Psychology - Detailed Notes
Introduction
Developmental Psychology is the scientific study of how and why human beings change over the course of
their life. It looks at physical, cognitive, emotional, and social changes that occur from conception to old age.
This field helps us understand how people grow, learn, and adapt at different life stages.
Key Areas of Development
1. Physical Development - growth and changes in body and brain, e.g., walking, puberty.
2. Cognitive Development - changes in thinking, memory, language, e.g., problem-solving, moral
development.
3. Emotional and Social Development - managing emotions, forming relationships, e.g., attachment, identity.
Factors Influencing Development
1. Biological - genetics, hormones.
2. Environmental - family, culture.
3. Nature and Nurture - both heredity and environment shape development.
Methods Used in Developmental Psychology
- Longitudinal Studies: study same individuals over time.
- Cross-sectional Studies: compare different age groups.
- Observational and Experimental methods to collect data.
Major Theories in Developmental Psychology
1. Piaget: 4 stages of cognitive development.
2. Erikson: 8 psychosocial stages.
3. Vygotsky: social and cultural influences.
4. Freud: psychosexual stages.
5. Bandura: social learning through observation.
Stages of Human Development
1. Prenatal: conception to birth.
Introduction
Developmental Psychology is the scientific study of how and why human beings change over the course of
their life. It looks at physical, cognitive, emotional, and social changes that occur from conception to old age.
This field helps us understand how people grow, learn, and adapt at different life stages.
Key Areas of Development
1. Physical Development - growth and changes in body and brain, e.g., walking, puberty.
2. Cognitive Development - changes in thinking, memory, language, e.g., problem-solving, moral
development.
3. Emotional and Social Development - managing emotions, forming relationships, e.g., attachment, identity.
Factors Influencing Development
1. Biological - genetics, hormones.
2. Environmental - family, culture.
3. Nature and Nurture - both heredity and environment shape development.
Methods Used in Developmental Psychology
- Longitudinal Studies: study same individuals over time.
- Cross-sectional Studies: compare different age groups.
- Observational and Experimental methods to collect data.
Major Theories in Developmental Psychology
1. Piaget: 4 stages of cognitive development.
2. Erikson: 8 psychosocial stages.
3. Vygotsky: social and cultural influences.
4. Freud: psychosexual stages.
5. Bandura: social learning through observation.
Stages of Human Development
1. Prenatal: conception to birth.
