Human Life Span Development

Human Life Span Development

Marty Annette Hill

PSY/375

July 18, 2013

Instructor: Lateefah Wielenga, PhD

Human Life Span Development

Introduction

From the time a human life enters the world, grows, develops, and matures mentally and physically, and then, ultimately, dies; all is considered as part of the human life span. Life is a continuous strand of changes from beginning to end. Psychologists have dubbed the term "Lifespan Development" for referencing the continuous physical and cognitive changes which occur regularly throughout one's lifetime (Meacham, 2013). This essay purposes to explain the Life Span Development Perspective, examine two theories of Life Span Development, and explore how heredity and environment serve to produce differences in human development.

Life Span Perspective of Development

Many characteristics are associated with human development. Until very recently, changes which occur during childhood had been the primary focus of psychological studies of human development. In fact, the subject of development was often limited to childhood specifically. The Life Span Perspective of Development is considered "new" because it offers the same degree of importance to changes in adulthood and childhood alike - in essence the entire span of a person's life.

Life span is life-long and, as such, is not characterized by any specific age period or age group (Hernandez, 2008). The Meacham (2013) website states that, "In order to define lifespan development psychology we must understand the different context by which it is characterized (Para. 2)." Of the many characteristics linked to Life Span

Development, the main points include: Plasticity, Interdisciplinary Research, and a Multi-contextual View of the Nature of Development (Meacham, 2013).

Plasticity

Acquiring new habits or releasing old ones is possible at any age. The Hernandez, 2008 website state that, "According to Santrock (1999), 'some aspects of development increase while others decrease'. This perspective is plastic." People of any age have the ability to learn or adapt to new environments. Therefore, with regard to changes in human development, there are no age restrictions.

Interdisciplinary Research

Human growth and development factors are so diverse that they cannot all be grouped together and studied as a single subject and in a single category. Varieties of changes involve physical, mental, and social domains. Various researchers including psychologists, neurologists, anthropologists, sociologists, and medical researchers all make contributions to the study of Life Span Development (Meacham, 2013).

Multi-Contextual View of Nature of Development

Each person is unique and develops and understands his or her environment in accordance with their specific context. People's lives are influenced by many different groups which overlap. Therefore, the many contexts and changes that individuals experience in their lives occur according to their surroundings and groups. Family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and cultures are some of the interrelated contexts in which changes can be observed (Boyd & Bee, 2009).

Two Theories of Life Span Development

The study of