Life Span Development: Stages and Processes

Life Span Development

Definition

Life span development refers to the continuous process of growth, change, and development that occurs from conception to death.

Stages of Development

1. Prenatal Development (conception to birth)
   • Zygote stage (0-2 weeks)
   • Embryonic stage (2-8 weeks)
   • Fetal stage (8 weeks to birth)
2. Infancy and Toddlerhood (0-3 years)
   • Physical development: rapid growth and motor skill acquisition
   • Cognitive development: sensorimotor stage, object permanence
   • Social-emotional development: attachment, trust
3. Early Childhood (4-6 years)
   • Physical development: refinement of motor skills
   • Cognitive development: preoperational stage, imagination
   • Social-emotional development: independence, cooperation
4. Middle Childhood (7-12 years)
   • Physical development: slower growth rate, refinement of skills
   • Cognitive development: concrete operational stage, problem-solving
   • Social-emotional development: peer relationships, self-concept
5. Adolescence (13-19 years)
   • Physical development: puberty, rapid growth
   • Cognitive development: formal operational stage, abstract thinking
   • Social-emotional development: identity formation, peer influence
6. Young Adulthood (20-39 years)
   • Physical development: physical peak, maintenance
   • Cognitive development: consolidation of knowledge, career development
   • Social-emotional development: intimacy, independence
7. Middle Adulthood (40-64 years)
   • Physical development: gradual decline, health maintenance
   • Cognitive development: wisdom, life experience
   • Social-emotional development: generativity, relationships
8. Late Adulthood (65+ years)
   • Physical development: decline, health issues
   • Cognitive development: cognitive decline, wisdom
   • Social-emotional development: reflection, life review

Theories of Development

1. Biological Theory: emphasizes genetic and biological factors in development
2. Psychosocial Theory: emphasizes social and environmental factors in development
3. Cognitive Theory: emphasizes thinking, learning, and problem-solving in development
4. Ecological Systems Theory: emphasizes the interaction between individual and environment in development

Key Concepts

• Nature vs. Nurture: debate about the role of genetics and environment in development
• Continuity vs. Discontinuity: debate about the degree of change and stability across development
• Stability vs. Change: debate about the degree of consistency and variation in development
• Plasticity: ability of the brain to change and adapt across development

Life Span Development

Definition

• Life span development refers to the continuous process of growth, change, and development from conception to death.

Stages of Development

Prenatal Development

• Occurs from conception to birth
• Three stages: zygote (0-2 weeks), embryonic (2-8 weeks), and fetal (8 weeks to birth)

Infancy and Toddlerhood

• Occurs from 0-3 years
• Physical development: rapid growth and motor skill acquisition
• Cognitive development: sensorimotor stage, object permanence
• Social-emotional development: attachment, trust

Early Childhood

• Occurs from 4-6 years
• Physical development: refinement of motor skills
• Cognitive development: preoperational stage, imagination
• Social-emotional development: independence, cooperation

Middle Childhood

• Occurs from 7-12 years
• Physical development: slower growth rate, refinement of skills
• Cognitive development: concrete operational stage, problem-solving
• Social-emotional development: peer relationships, self-concept

Adolescence

• Occurs from 13-19 years
• Physical development: puberty, rapid growth
• Cognitive development: formal operational stage, abstract thinking
• Social-emotional development: identity formation, peer influence

Young Adulthood

• Occurs from 20-39 years
• Physical development: physical peak, maintenance
• Cognitive development: consolidation of knowledge, career development
• Social-emotional development: intimacy, independence

Middle Adulthood

• Occurs from 40-64 years
• Physical development: gradual decline, health maintenance
• Cognitive development: wisdom, life experience
• Social-emotional development: generativity, relationships

Late Adulthood

• Occurs from 65+ years
• Physical development: decline, health issues
• Cognitive development: cognitive decline, wisdom
• Social-emotional development: reflection, life review

Theories of Development

• Biological Theory: emphasizes genetic and biological factors
• Psychosocial Theory: emphasizes social and environmental factors
• Cognitive Theory: emphasizes thinking, learning, and problem-solving
• Ecological Systems Theory: emphasizes interaction between individual and environment

Key Concepts

• Nature vs. Nurture: debate about genetics and environment
• Continuity vs. Discontinuity: debate about change and stability across development
• Stability vs. Change: debate about consistency and variation in development
• Plasticity: ability of the brain to change and adapt across development

Explore the continuous process of growth, change, and development from conception to death, covering prenatal development, infancy, and toddlerhood.