Developmental Psychology

Achieve Test Prep: Developmental Psychology

interactions throughout the lifespan cause changes in individual psychological development. Perspectives and Issues in Developmental Psychology : The following are important perspectives to consider while studying Developmental Psychology: 1. Change is multidimensional . There are a multitude of changes that can occur within an individual simultaneously; these changes include physical, emotional, psychological, and more. These changes can affect one another, either lessening or increasing the effect of each change. 2. Change occurs in many contexts . An important and often-forgotten aspect of nursing is to not just treat the disease, but to treat the patient. Patients have complex personal histories, economic issues, cultures, languages, and beliefs, all of which influence how a patient responds to care. Many nurses, especially in present culture, forget the impact of being culturally sensitive and it can positively impact the care of their patients. 3. Developmental Psychology is NOT just about psychology : Development occurs biologically, sociologically, psychologically, and in more areas, which are affected by education, economic status, religion, and culture. 4. Change occurs throughout the lifespan: With the recent understanding that development occurs throughout life, it is apparent each stage of the lifespan has its own milestones and concerns. The term plasticity refers to the brain’s ability to be able to learn, grow, and develop. Development in Context: Developmental change occurs in many different contexts. There are a few important contexts to be familiar with to understand Developmental Psychology: 1. Historical context : As is implied by the name, this context takes into account the time period during which a person is developing. Growing up in the last twenty years is different than growing up in the 1940s. For example, a woman growing up in today’s culture would have different goals and opportunities than a woman growing up in the 1950s. People who were born during the same era, culture, and location generally have similar growth and developmental experiences, referred to as an age cohort. 2. Socioeconomic context: The term socioeconomic status (SES) is a termed frequently used in psychology and other similar fields. SES encompasses more than just

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