Introduction to Lifespan Learning PDF

What is Lifespan Development? ============================= Lifespan development is defined as a pattern of change which involves both growth and decline. It begins at conception and lasts until death. Lifespan Stages: ---------------- 1\. Conception to Birth\ 2. Early Childhood\ 3. Preschool\ 4....

What is Lifespan Development? ============================= Lifespan development is defined as a pattern of change which involves both growth and decline. It begins at conception and lasts until death. Lifespan Stages: ---------------- 1\. Conception to Birth\ 2. Early Childhood\ 3. Preschool\ 4. Middle Childhood\ 5. Preteen\ 6. Adolescence\ 7. Early Adulthood\ 8. Middle Adulthood\ 9. Late Adulthood\ 10. End of Life Lifespan development is closely linked with neuroscience and the following areas of psychology:\ - Cognitive\ - Emotional\ - Social Key Characteristics of Lifespan Development =========================================== 1\. Development is Lifelong: No specific age period dominates development.\ 2. Development is Multidirectional: Some dimensions shrink while others expand.\ 3. Development is Plastic: There is a capacity for change throughout the lifespan.\ 4. Development is Multidisciplinary: It is studied by psychologists, sociologists, anthropologists, neuroscientists, and medical researchers.\ 5. Development is Contextual: A person acts and responds to biological processes, sociocultural experiences, historical circumstances, and life events.\ 6. Development Involves Growth, Maintenance, and Regulation: These factors play a role in development across the lifespan. Contemporary Concerns in Lifespan Development ============================================= \- Health and Well-being: The role of lifestyle and the impact of substance abuse.\ - Parenting: Effects of divorce and child maltreatment.\ - Education: Issues such as bilingual education and poverty. Sociocultural Factors: ---------------------- \- Socio-economic status: Gender, context, culture, and ethnicity.\ - Social Policy: Government policies that impact citizens' welfare. Developmental Processes ======================= 1\. Biological Processes: Focus on physical nature and genetic influences, including height, weight, brain development, motor skills, and hormonal changes.\ 2. Cognitive Processes: Focus on changes in thought, language, and intelligence. For example, caregiver responsiveness plays a key role in child development.\ 3. Socio-emotional Processes: Focus on changes in relationships, emotions, and personality. Conceptions of Age ================== \- Biological Age: Physical health relative to peers.\ - Social Age: Roles and expectations based on societal norms.\ - Chronological Age: The number of years since birth.\ - Psychological Age: Adaptive capacity compared to others of the same age. Developmental Issues ==================== 1\. Nature vs. Nurture: Genetics vs. environmental factors in development.\ 2. Continuity vs. Discontinuity: Gradual development vs. distinct stages.\ 3. Stability vs. Change: Stability in adulthood vs. plasticity and ongoing changes. Theories of Lifespan Development ================================ 1\. Erik Erikson's Psychosocial Theory: Eight stages of psychosocial development:\ - Trust vs Mistrust (Infancy)\ - Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt (Toddler)\ - Initiative vs Guilt (Preschool)\ - Industry vs Inferiority (School age)\ - Identity vs Identity Confusion (Adolescence)\ - Intimacy vs Isolation (Young Adult)\ - Generativity vs Stagnation (Adulthood)\ - Ego Integrity vs Despair (Older Adulthood)\ 2. Jean Piaget's Cognitive Development Theory: Development through interaction with the environment, including sensory-motor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational stages.\ 3. Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: Motivational model outlining physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization needs.