Easy-Read Notes: Stages of Human Development

 

Lifespan development studies how people grow and change from conception through childhood, adolescence, adulthood, aging, and death.

Development includes three main areas: physical development, cognitive development, and psychosocial development.

Physical development means changes in the body, brain, senses, motor skills, health, and aging.

Cognitive development means changes in learning, memory, attention, language, thinking, reasoning, and problem solving.

Psychosocial development means changes in emotions, personality, identity, relationships, and social behavior.

Development can be influenced by both nature and nurture. Nature means biology and genetics. Nurture means environment, culture, relationships, learning, and life experiences.

Lifespan theories help explain how people develop. Some theories focus on thinking, some focus on emotions and identity, and others focus on moral development.

Piaget studied how children's thinking changes as they grow. Erikson studied social and emotional challenges across life. Kohlberg studied how moral reasoning develops.

Human development happens in stages, such as prenatal development, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and late adulthood.

Prenatal development begins before birth. Infancy and childhood involve rapid growth, attachment, language, movement, and learning.

Adolescence includes puberty, identity development, more independence, and changes in thinking, emotions, and relationships.

Adulthood includes work, relationships, family roles, health changes, personal goals, and continued learning. Development does not stop when someone becomes an adult.

 Influences on development include genetics, parenting, culture, school, friends, health, stress, trauma, nutrition, safety, and social support.