Human Psychological

Development
Stage 1 Psychology 2011

Developmental Psychology

Developmental Psychology is a branch of

Psychology which specialises in the study of
changes that occur from conception til death.

The aim of Developmental Psychology is to

explain the ways in which our thoughts, feelings
and behaviour change throughout the life span.

It studies changes that are common to all

individuals and those changes that differ among
individuals.

Defining Lifespan
Development

Life Span Development refers to the change

that begins at conception and continues
throughout the entire life span.

Change must be relatively permanent to be

considered developmental.

Areas of Human
Development

Physical Development changes in the brain,

nervous system, bones and muscles.

Social Development changes in relationships with

others and skills in interacting

Cognitive Development changes in mental abilities

such as learning, memory and problem solving

Emotional Development changes in how one feels

and expressed feelings.

Activity
Go to
http://www.learner.org/discoveringpsychology
/development/dev_flash.html
and draw a table in your book that looks like
Area
Earl
Middle
Late
Early
Late
Early
Middle
Late
this: Infa
ncy
y
childhd
childhd
adolesc adolesc adulthd adulthd adulthd

chil
dho
od

ence

ence

Biological

Then use the site to fill in the table with dot

points of what changes can be expected at
each stage of development.