Developmental Psychology

Achieve Test Prep: Developmental Psychology

Chapter 1: Introduction to Lifespan and Developmental Psychology

Overview : There are a multitude of reasons to study Developmental Psychology. Among these reasons, seeking to understand the different needs of patients and learning how to be self-reflective are among the most important. In addition, Developmental Psychology will help you to become a better nurse by providing you with an understanding of the different psychological, emotional, and physical needs of patients. Of equal importance is the ability to be self-reflective to understand your personal life stage and what motivates you, which will also aid in your understanding of patients. In this chapter, the general concepts of each stage of the lifespan will be explained chronologically. These concepts will help you to build a basic foundation to the various schools of thought in psychology. It is vital to absorb and remember the information presented in this chapter, as it will be presented throughout your studies of the lifespan. There are many important concepts, most of which have been outlined in bold . Objectives: By the end of this chapter, you should be able to recognize, understand, and explain the following: • The domains of development • The various contexts in which development occurs • The major theories of developmental psychology and the people associated with them Developmental Psychology: The Basics: Psychologists previously thought that development ceased after adolescence. Now, it is well known that thought development continues from birth to death. The process and everything which occurs between birth and death is termed: lifespan. The longest period of time a member of a species can live is the maximum lifespan : In humans, the maximum lifespan can be as long as 120 years. More frequently, lifespan is thought about in terms of average lifespan , which is the average age reached by the members of a given population. The average lifespan can be different for males and females, as well as between cultures and geographic locations. Life expectancy is the number of years an individual is expected to live. The overall lifespan of humans is divided into eight categories: 1. Prenatal: conception to birth

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