May be defined as a quantitative increase in size or mass or physical changes that occur in an individual overtime,such as increases in height, weight, and other bodily dimensions.It is a measurable and often predictable process that typically follows a set pattern from infancy through adulthood.

on the other hand, encompasses a broader range of changes, including physical, cognitive, emotional, and social maturation. Development involves the progression and improvement of skills, abilities, and behaviors that enable an individual to function more effectively in their environment. It includes milestones such as language acquisition, emotional regulation, social interactions, and problem-solving abilities.

is a lifelong process of physical, cognitive, and emotional growth and behavioral change. It also describes the comprehensive process of how individuals evolve from infancy through adulthood, shaped by both genetic factors (nature) and environmental influences (nurture).

The term "nature vs. nurture" was first introduced by psychologist________

refers to genes or hereditary factors, which are commonly seen in appearance and characteristics. These genetic factors shape physical traits like eye color and height, as well as predispositions to certain behaviors and mental health conditions.

on the other hand, implies environmental variables such as upbringing, socio-emotional relationships, and the surrounding culture. This includes the influence of parental guidance, educational experiences, social interactions, and cultural norms.

Core beliefs: Certain traits and behaviors are innate and occur naturally apart from environmental influences. Key concept: Innate characteristics, evolution, inheritance, genetic traits from ancestors parents individuals and uniqueness

Core beliefs: The mind begins as a blank slate, with no innate ideas. Knowledge and behavior are determined by experiences and environmental stimuli. Key Concept: Tabula rasa, knowledge from environmental influence. experience,

Core beliefs: Most characteristics and behaviors result from learning and conditioning. Regardless of genetic. background, behavior can be shaped by environmental stimuli. Key concept: Conditioning, learned, behaviors, environmental influence.

Core beliefs: Both genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) work together to influence development. There is an interaction between genetic predispositions and environmental factors. Key Concept: Interaction of nature and nurture, modulation of genes by environment, combined influence on development.

-Development is influenced by both heredity (nature) and environment (nurture). -The nature (heredity) is responsible for many of our physical characteristics such as hair,. and eye color, facial features and to some extent the height and weight. -Many of our characteristics can be influenced by environment (nurture).

-As a child develops, he or she adds to the skill already acquired and the new skills become the basis for further achievement and mastery of skills. -Most children follow a similar pattern. -Also, one stage of development lays the foundation for the next stage of development.

This is the principle of proximodistal development that also describes the direction of development. This means that the spinal cord develops before outer parts of the body. The child's arms develop before the hands and the hands and feet develop before the fingers and toes.

-This is called the cephalocaudle principle. -This principle describes a direction of growth and development. -According to this principle, the child gains control of the head first, then the arms and then the legs.

Development proceeds from the head downward. This is called?

This is the principle of ____________that also describes the direction of development.

-Maturation refers to the sequential characteristics of biological growth and development. -The biological changes occur in sequential order and give children new abilities. Changes in the brain and nervous system account largely for maturation.

-Children use their cognitive and language skills to reason and solve problems. For example, learning relationships between things (how things are similar) or classification is an important ability in cognitive development.

-In motor development, the infant will be able to grasp an object with whole hand before using the thumb and forefinger. -The infant's first motor movements are very generalized, undirected and reflexive, waving arms or kicking before being able to reach or creep toward an object. -Growth occurs from large muscle movements to more refined movements to more refined (smaller) muscle movements

Each child is different and the rates at which individual children grow is different. Although, the patterns and sequences for growth and development are usually the same for all children, the rates at which individual children reach developmental stages will be different.

Two types of Approaches in human development

8 Principles of growth and development

Focus: The _________ to human development focuses primarily on the early stages of life, particularly childhood and adolescence (Okojie & Aibieyi, 2010). It emphasizes that the most significant developmental changes occur from birth through adolescence, with adulthood seen as a period of stability and decline. Key Concepts: • Developmental Emphasis: Major developmental milestones, such as physical growth, cognitive development, and socialization, are believed to occur primarily during childhood and adolescence. • Stability in Adulthood: In this approach, adulthood is often viewed as a time when development plateaus, with little emphasis on growth or change beyond early adulthood. • Aging as Decline: The later stages of life are seen largely as periods of decline in physical and cognitive abilities. Example: In traditional psychology and education, significant focus is placed on childhood and adolescent development, such as in Piaget's stages of cognitive development or Freud's psychosexual stages, with less attention given to adult development.

Focus: The ____________ to human development considers growth and change as ongoing processes that occur throughout the entire life (Overton, 2003). This approach emphasizes that development does not stop after adolescence but continues through adulthood and old age, with both gains and losses occurring at different stages. Key Concepts: Continuous Development: Development seen as a lifelong process, with significant changes occurring in all stages, from infancy to old age (Santrock, 2002). • Multidimensionality: Development is multidimensional, involving physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes throughout life (Santrock, 2002). • Plasticity: Individuals have the potential for change throughout their lives, meaning that development can be shaped by experiences at any age (Santrock, 2002). • Contextual Influence: The life-span approach emphasizes the role of context- such as culture, socio-economic status, and historical period-in influencing development across the lifespan (Santrock, 2002). • Developmental Gains and Losses: Recognizes that development includes both gains (such as increased wisdom or knowledge) and losses (such as physical decline) at different stages of life (Santrock, 2002). Example: Erik Erikson's psychosocial theory, which outlines eight stages of development that span from infancy to old age, is a classic example of the life-span approach. Similarly, research on adult development, such as studies on career changes or cognitive aging, reflects this approach

Traditional Approach key concepts

Life-Span Approach

According to Traditional approach major developmental milestones, such as physical growth, cognitive development, and socialization, are believed to occur primarily during childhood and adolescence.

according to Traditional approach, adulthood is often viewed as a timewhen development plateaus, with little emphasis on growth or change beyondearly adulthood.

According to traditional approach the later stages of life are seen largely as periods of decline in physical and cognitive abilities.

According to Life-span approach development is seen as a lifelong process, with significant changes occurring in all stages, from infancy to old age

According to Life-span approach development is ________, involving physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes throughout life

According to Life-span approach individuals have the potential for change throughout their lives, meaning that development can be shaped by experiences at any age

The life-span approach emphasizes the role of context— such as culture, socio-economic status, and historical period—in influencing development across the lifespan

According to life-span approach recognizes that development includes both gains (such as increased wisdom or knowledge) and losses (such as physical decline) at different stages of life