Human Growth and Development

Running Head: GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Human Growth and Development

Growth and Development

Heredity and environment influences assist individual development through nature verses nurture. The concept of having genetic disposition prior to birth has been proven in numerous studies. The genetics of an individual can be altered through their environment that presents as a way to survive.

When given similar environments many twins are identical in behavior or act as complete opposites complimenting their strengths and weaknesses. The influence of environment is often predetermined by genetics and repeated throughout generations.

Traits have a definite impact on beliefs. Beliefs and values can be taught yet can be ignored from the impact genetics override nurture. Nurture is important but genetics seem to have a stronger and more of an impact on one's ability to develop and mature into "responsible adults".

Repeated traits have been seen throughout generations even when environments have changed. Behaviors tend to be closely similar within families and chosen lifestyles. Reviewing numerous articles over the years about genetics always comes to the same conclusion of personal genetic coding to be of similar sequences with sequence variables that make very little difference in coding.

Nutritional impact on fertility and development are always seen as a factor in the health of the mother and the infant and later factors for health and development. Nutrition impacts the cognitive ability to learn and retain information through healthy lifestyles and avoidance of what is known as "junk food".

Farmers have been noted to have a better grasp on knowing how to care for their livestock than human doctors that care for patients. My perception is they have a stronger vesting need financially for their lively hood and mastering nutritional needs to maintain healthy animals for their financial stability in this field.

A balanced diet is seen to be a factor for health and fertility. Balancing one's diet to contain the correct nutrients creates stronger and healthier minds and bodies for increased cognitive and activity levels. Slow-carbohydrates improve chances of fertility and general health.

I have witnessed firsthand how genetics of personality override environmental factors and nurture. I have observed the fetal intelligence created in the womb verses education after birth. To explain these examples to be factual and observational through considerations of nature verses nurture.

I raised my children with examples of morals and values and good work ethics to succeed in life. My daughter has my same strong insight into continued education and strong work ethics. My oldest son has been a carbon copy of his father in both looks and behaviors to the extent of lack of morals in ethics and personal values. My third child seems to be a combination of both his father and myself further observation of future success is still to be determined.

The next example is the example of my cousins first born. He read to him the New York Times and medical journals while in the womb. These seemed to be his preference as an infant for reading material. He went on to graduate from West Point at the top of his class. His other two siblings both boys did not have the same interaction with their parents as their older brother and did not achieve the level of success their older brother did.

Development has 3 processes that are ongoing throughout the life span. Cognitive, physical and social these encompass every part of who a human being is and develops to be. The numerous characteristics are a systemic process of behaviors that are as different as they are the same through acquired value systems.

Periods of development are from prenatal till late adulthood. Within these stage changes occur for the individual development of learned and innate behaviors that make the individual like no one else. Though individuals are similar they never are completely the same.

Life span development is broad and is experienced at different times according to levels of development in age. Psychological, biological, social and chronological age through one's life span modifies behaviors according to the stages and how one advance through them. These periods can be seen in the differences of children's behaviors in the past and behaviors as they are now. Morals, values and ethics have changed throughout generations.