Developmental Psychology (Human behaviour in Social Environment)

What is Developmental Psychology?

Developmental psychology (human behaviour in a social environment), deals with the patterns and causes behind human actions throughout their course of life. Research-based studies are performed to help people reach their full potential to achieve physical, emotional, intellectual, cognitive, and noncognitive maturation. Human developmental psychology ensures that every person can perform their normal activities at specific stages of their life. It also states that failure to do so inevitably affects the later stages which lead to lifelong deformities. 

For example, in the case of newborns, it is usual for the parents to know and expect their child to get up and walk within one and a half months after birth. Inability to accomplish that is surely a cause of concern and must be consulted with developmental psychologists. They find out the cause and suggest possible remedies.

Life Span Developmental Psychology

This branch of the scientific study discusses lifelong human development from birth to death. Human personality is a mere reflection of upbringing and socialization. The vital stages of developmental social psychology are examined in this article. These are as follows:

Infant: Basic motor skills are adopted by a newborn in this stage. With proper nutrition and monitoring, the children build a strong foundation of mastering speech, intellect, and physical strength. This stage can further be divided into prenatal, early, and middle childhood development. 

Latency: This period of developmental psychology (human behaviour in a social environment), is very critical. Psychologists have noticed a significant rise in sexual curiosity within both genders aged around 6 years. They consult with the parents teaching those ways to divert the raising energy into productive intellectual and social aspects. The children masters social and communication skills at this time.

Adolescence: This stage sets the foundation for quality health and personality. Children aged 10 – 19 years old are considered to be adolescents. There is maximum potential for physical, emotional, and cognitive development in this period.

Adulthood and mature adulthood: In this stage, humans have fully acquired physical and intellectual puberty. Adulthood is experienced between 21 – 39 years of age after which middle age starts. Developmental psychology (human behaviour in a social environment) drastically changes in middle age when a person tends to be more independent as they develop suspicion. Also, there is a lack of confidence noted resulting from reluctance in adaptability.

Old-aged people are most prone to diseases due to weak immunity. They tend to recall their lives. Based on their experience they either rejoice or lament their lifestyle.

Human Developmental Psychology Types

Developmental psychology (human behaviour in a social environment) is concerned with the extensive study of human growth and adaptability to their surroundings as they grow old. The study focuses on four key branches: physical, emotional, communication, and cognitive development.

Right after an infant is born, the process of physical development begins. We notice their gradual evolution and acquisition of characteristics that range from basic to advance. A child learns how to control their limbs to perform specific actions like walking, running, riding a bicycle, swimming, etc. Developmental psychologists study the science behind such mechanisms of acquiring these motor skills. When a newborn finds difficulty in doing these actions, psychologists attempt to spot the possible deformity associated with the nervous system, bones, and muscles.

Developmental social psychology 

Social psychology handles the behavioral aspects of children in every stage of their development. This field of study helps psychologists to assess the attitude and intention of the young individual and contribute to their well-being. The continual sense of refinement within the adolescents is caused based upon numerous self-doubts. The humans get attracted to friends more than their parents in this stage. During lifespan developmental psychology, socialization is not the only factor affecting the child’s priority. The parents play a major role in the upbringing incorporating moral and ethical values during the adolescent stage. Simultaneously they shall also keep a check on their child’s mingling with the ill company and provide them with love and affection in this critical stage of life.

Cognitive development emphasizes a child’s ability to register information, process skills, learn a new subject or language and gradually turn into an adult. The development pattern varies between the ages 

of 6 – 12 compared to the next six years. Cognitive psychology is the scientific learning of a child’s neurological development after he/she begins to explore, solve and co-ordinate with the world around them. The surrounding environment creates a massive impact on how an adolescent reacts with his family members and peers.

Conclusion

Developmental psychology (human behaviour in a social environment) studies the physical, intellectual, and cognitive growth of humans throughout their course of life. Developmental social psychology explains how emotionally a person reacts to a given situation or stimulus. The life span developmental psychology breaks down the human life cycle into seven stages infancy, early and middle childhood, adolescence, early and middle adulthood, and old age. Developmental psychologists design research that is aimed to assist society to reach its full growth and prosperity. They try to understand the links between socialization and the personality of the person concerned.