Developmental Psychology

BS Hons -5 (Lecture 1)

APSY-358 (3 Credit Hours)

Lecturer: HIRA SIDDIQUE

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Introduction
Developmental psychology examines behavioral changes across the lifespan—from
infancy through late adulthood—broken into stages such as childhood, adolescence,
adulthood, and old age. Psychologists seek to understand how behaviors emerge and evolve
systematically over time.

● It is the branch of psychology that studies how people grow, change, and stay
the same throughout life.
● It looks at physical (body), cognitive (thinking), emotional, and social changes
from birth till old age.

👉 Example:

● A 2-year-old learns to speak simple sentences.

● A 10-year-old develops problem-solving skills.
● A teenager struggles with identity (“Who am I?”).
● An old person reflects on life experiences.

Stages of Development
Infancy: 0–1 year
Early Childhood: 1–5 years
Late Childhood: 6–12 years
Adolescence: 13–19 years
Early Adulthood: 20–40 years
Middle Adulthood: 41–65 years
Late Adulthood: 66 years onward

Growth vs Development
Growth: Quantitative, bodily increase due to metabolism.
Development: Progressive, qualitative change influenced by both maturation and learning.

Difference between Growth and Development

Aspect Growth Development

Growth means increase in size, Development means overall changes in
height, weight, or body parts. It is abilities, skills, emotions, and thinking.
Definition
physical and quantitative (can be It is qualitative (improves function and
measured). maturity).
Physical change only (e.g., height, Includes physical, mental, emotional,
Nature
weight, length of bones). social, and moral changes.
Cannot be measured exactly — only
Measureme Can be measured in numbers (e.g.,
assessed (e.g., improved problem-solving,
nt height = 5’5”, weight = 50 kg).
emotional maturity).
Growth stops after physical maturity Development continues throughout life
Duration
(around 18–20 years). (infancy → old age).
A child grows 2 inches taller in a A child learns to speak, share toys, or
Example
year. control emotions.

Easy Examples

● Growth Example:
A 7-year-old boy increases from 20 kg to 25 kg in one year.
● Development Example:
The same boy also learns how to solve math problems, make friends, and manage
anger — these are signs of development.
👉 In short:

● Growth = “How big you get.”

● Development = “How well you function.

Principles of Development
1. Development is continuous and follows an orderly, mostly predictable pattern.
2. Early development is more critical than later.
3. Behaviors progress from general to specific, with individual differences in tempo
and pattern.

Factors Influencing Development

1. Biological/Internal: Heredity, sex, hormones, temperament
2. Environmental/External: Prenatal influences, family, school, neighborhood, culture
3. External Events: Wars, epidemics, natural/man-made disasters
4. Personal Life Events: Accidents, business losses, bereavement, divorce

Developmental Tasks – Prenatal Stage

● Germinal: From conception to uterine implantation.
● Embryonic: Weeks 2–8; rapid differentiation of body systems.
● Fetal: Organ systems mature; high vulnerability to environmental stressors.
● Maternal age (<16 or >35) poses risks such as miscarriages or birth defects; age >40
increases risk of Down syndrome.

Infancy (0–1 Year)

Physical/Cognitive: Rapid motor development—from sitting to walking; triples birth
weight; length increases by ~50%. Reflexive behaviors evolve into perceptual exploration;
memory (implicit/explicit) begins.
Psychosocial (Piaget & Erikson): Sensorimotor stage; object permanence develops. Trust
vs. Mistrust: infants develop trust if needs are reliably met.
Hospitalization Impact: Infants separated from caregivers may suffer grief, emotional
disturbance, delayed physical/mental progress. Upon return, withdrawal or regression may
occur.

Role of Psychologist:
- Conduct developmental and emotional assessments to identify distress or regression.
- Provide supportive interventions—e.g., parent–infant bonding strategies, attachment-
focused counseling.
- Offer guidance to parents on managing separation stress and mitigating its emotional
impact.
- Advise hospital staff to maintain caregiver involvement, reduce separation, and support
sensory soothing.

Early Childhood (2–6 Years)

Physical/Cognitive: Slowed but steady growth; gains in coordination, speech, fine motor
skills (writing, tool use).
Psychological: Strong emotional expression (love, jealousy, frustration); developing
independence and problem-solving.
Social Traits: Dependency on caregivers, assertiveness, imaginative play, egocentrism,
emotional volatility.
Needs: Love, security, encouragement, discipline, nutrition, intellectual stimulation.

Role of Psychologist:
- Observe and assess emotional and cognitive development; screen for attachment issues.
- Offer play therapy to facilitate emotional expression and processing.
- Coach caregivers in supportive communication, managing separation anxiety, and
promoting autonomy.
- Design interventions to bolster self-esteem and social skills in hospital settings.
Late Childhood (6–12 Years)
Physical/Cognitive: Improved fine motor skills; reading, writing, language development;
concrete thinking.
Psychological Traits: Independence, emotional control, social interest, realistic thinking,
emerging interests.
Needs: Affection, belonging, understanding, structured guidance, opportunities for
expression.

Role of Psychologist:
- Conduct cognitive and emotional evaluations.
- Facilitate interventions that encourage problem-solving, emotional regulation, and peer
connections.
- Collaborate with teachers and caregivers to reinforce structured support and behavioral
expectations.

Adolescence (12–19 Years)

Physical/Cognitive: Puberty begins; abstract and mature thought processes emerge; body
and identity changes.
Emotional: Independence from parents, peer influence, mood swings, self-consciousness,
vocational worries.
Psychological Needs: Status, independence, philosophical life orientation, guidance
(including sexual orientation, peer conflicts).

Role of Psychologist:
- Provide adolescent-focused counseling to address self-esteem, identity crises, and
independence.
- Offer psychoeducation on emotional coping, peer pressure, vocational choices, and body
image.
- Design group therapy or peer support groups for mutual support.
- Guide parental engagement strategies that respect autonomy yet provide emotional
support.
Early Adulthood (20–40 Years)
Physical/Cognitive: Peak health and physical performance; high reproductive capacity;
optimal intellectual and creative functioning.
Psychosocial: Focus on intimate relationships, career, and family. For women, moodiness
due to hormonal cycles is common.
Needs: Balance of intimacy and independence, security, recognition, life planning (career,
relationships).
Erikson: Intimacy vs. Isolation—forming close relationships fosters intimacy; failure may
lead to isolation.

Role of Psychologist:
- Offer counseling on relationship dynamics, family planning, and career decisions.
- Support emotional adjustment during major life transitions.
- Educate on managing mood swings and emotional regulation.
- Facilitate problem-solving sessions to strengthen decision-making and partnership
communication.

Middle Adulthood (40–60 Years)

Physical: Decline in physical strength, skin elasticity, hormonal changes
(menopause/andropause), heightened disease risk.
Psychosocial: Stage of generativity vs. stagnation—desire to contribute to next generation
or risk stagnation.

Role of Psychologist:
- Provide support during life transitions (empty nesting, career shifts).
- Interventions to maintain mental health amidst midlife changes.
- Facilitate legacy activities, mentorship roles, or volunteering aligned with generativity.
- Help families navigate middle-aged individuals’ emotional and physical needs
empathically.
Late Adulthood (60+ Years)
Physical/Cognitive: Sensory decline, slowed motor skills, reduced disease resistance,
cognitive slowing. Chronic illnesses common.
Psychological: Ego integrity vs. despair—reflecting on life; integrity brings peace, while
regrets lead to despair. Needs include improved self-image, meaningful relationships, and
hope.

Role of Psychologist:
- Offer life review therapy to foster ego integrity and reduce despair.
- Provide mental health support for depression, cognitive decline, and anxiety.
- Conduct sensory and cognitive assessments; recommend interventions.
- Assist families in emotional caregiving and encourage purposeful engagement.

Psychology of the Challenged Individuals

Physical challenges: Dependence, feelings of inferiority, isolation.
Mental challenges: Cognitive deficits, social withdrawal, anxiety, depression.
Social challenges: Maladjustment, social rejection, low motivation.
Emotional challenges: Mood swings, aggression, attention difficulties, poor interpersonal
relations.

Role of Psychologist:
- Perform comprehensive psychological assessments (cognitive, emotional, behavioral).
- Develop individualized intervention plans—including therapy, support groups, coping
strategies.
- Provide caregiver education to improve tolerance, empathy, and supportive
communication.
- Advocate for resources, accommodations, and societal inclusion.

Psychology of Women & Sick Individuals

Women: Experience societal vulnerability, discrimination, trauma from sexual violence,
body-image issues, and mental health challenges.
Sick Individuals: Face loss of autonomy, self-image, increased anxiety, and grief stages
(denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance).

Role of Psychologist
- Provide trauma-informed care, addressing emotional consequences of gender-based
adversity.
- Offer counseling on self-esteem, body image, infertility, and reproductive mental health.
- Support individuals coping with illness through psychoeducation and grief counseling.
- Teach coping strategies, stress management, and facilitate acceptance transitions.