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HUMAN DEVELOPMENT: Development of the life cycle – Arc of Life

We adopt the sequence of eight stages that are generally accepted in the
Western industrial societies. At each stage, there are needs and tasks.
of its own development

PERIOD Physical Development Development Development

Cognitive psychosocial
[Link] It occurs the The developments are made the The fetus responds to the voice
(conception at fertilization by abilities to learn from the mother and feels

birth natural fertilization or remember and respond to the preference for her.
by other means. stimulation of the
The genetic endowment senses.
interacts with the
influences
environmental since the
principle.
They form the
structures and organs
basic body parts;
it begins the
accelerated growth
physics of life.
-Great vulnerability to
the influences
environmental.

2. Breastfeeding and Upon birth, they operate in They are present the Attachment to parents and others.

childhood different measure all learning abilities It is developed the

(birth to three the senses and systems and remember even in the self-awareness.
of the body. first weeks. The change occurs from
years)
It increases the towards the end of the second the dependence on the
complexity of year develops the autonomy.
brain, which is very ability to use Increases interest in
sensible to the symbols and to solve other children.
influences problems.
environmental. It appears quickly the
Fast growth understanding and the use of
physical and development of language.
(Erikson: 1 year: motor skills. Piaget: activity
trust vs sensory and motor (1-2
years)
distrust
basic; 2 years:
autonomy vs
shame and doubt
Freud 1:oral 2:Anal

[Link] Childhood The growth is To some extent the The self-concept and the
(three to six years) constant; the aspect reasoning is understanding of the
is slimmer and the egocentric, but emotions become more
proportions are more increases understanding complexes; self-esteem
similar to those of the from the point of view of the is global.
adult others. They increase the
Appetite is reduced and Immaturity ["independence","initiative"]
they are common the cognitive produces and self-control.
sleep problems. illogical ideas about the Identity is developed
The preference appears world. sexual.
Erikson: initiative by one of the hands; The memory is consolidated. The games are more
vs fault increases the and the language. imaginative and
Freud: Phallic motor skills Intelligence is made. prepared and, for the
thick and thin and the more predictable. common, more social.
strength. -It is generalized the -They are common the
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preschool experience, and altruism, aggression and the

even more so preschool. recklessness.
Piaget: 2-7 years: The family is still the
preoperational through center of social life;
of symbols-game but other children charge
more importance.
[Link]ñez Media (six Growth is made Decrease the Self-concept is made
once years slower. egocentrism. Children more complex and influences
Increase strength and they begin to think about in self-esteem.
the abilities logical form, but Co-regulation reflects
sports shoes concrete. the gradual change of
-They are common the They are increased parental control over
diseases memory skills and son.
respiratory, but the language. The companions
health in general is The advances they acquire a
Erikson: better than in any cognitive allows to central importance.
laboriousness vs another time in life. the children benefit from
inferiority the formal school.
Freud: latency Some children reveal
needs and gifts
special education.
Piaget: 7-11 years
Concrete operations
logical-realistic here and
now, not in the abstract
PERIOD Physical Development Development Development
Cognitive psychosocial
5. Adolescence (11 to Physical growth and It is developed the The search for
around 20 other changes are capacity of identity, including the
years) fast and deep. abstract thought and sexual, it is a goal
The brain is finished. the reasoning central.
to develop. scientific. In general, the
-The is presented The immaturity of continues. relationships with the
reproductive maturity. thought in some Parents are good.
The main ones attitudes and behaviors. The group of friends
health risks are Education is focused exert an influence
due to problems with in the preparation for the positive or negative.
(Erikson: identity) behavior, as university or work.
eating disorders Piaget: 11-adult:
vs confusion of
and drug addiction. abstract operations.
identity)
Syllogism reasoning.
Freud: Genital

Early Adulthood Physical condition -The thought and the The traits and styles of
(20 to 40 years) reaches its peak moral judgments acquire personality is
level and then greater complexity. they stabilize, although the
decreases -Se llevan a cabo stages and events of the
slightly. educational elections and life generates changes
The elections of work-related, sometimes of personality.
lifestyle influences after a period of They are established
in health. exploration. intimate relationships and
personal styles, but
(Erikson: intimacy) not always they are

vs isolation durable.
Almost everyone gets married and

many have children.

Average adulthood It can be initiated a The mental faculties Development continues
(40 a 65 años) slow deterioration of the they reach their peak; they of the sense of identity;
capabilities raise the competition and the transition occurs
sensorial, as well as practical capacity to from the halfway point of life.
of health, vigor and solve problems. The double
the resistance, but the Creative production responsibility of
differences between it declines, but it is better taking care of the children and the
Individuals are vast. quality. parents cause tensions.
Women suffer from Some achieve success The departure of the children
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Erikson: creativity menopause. professional and its power of leave the nest empty.
vs stagnation) generate profits is
at the top; others
they experiment
exhaustion and change of
profession.

Late adulthood Most of the Almost all people -The retirement, when it happens,

(65 and above) people are healthy and they are mentally alert. opens new options
active, although in Although some areas of to take advantage of the
general decrease the the intelligence and the time.
health and the memories deteriorate, the People draw
physical capabilities. majority of the people more strategies
the decrease of the they find a way to flexible to face
reaction times compensate them. personal losses
affects some and the imminence of the
Erikson: integrity aspects of death.
vs desperation) functioning. The relationships with
family and friends
close ones provide
an important support.
The search for
meaning of life
is of great importance
central.

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT: Development of the life cycle

It is the scientific study of change and stability during the life cycle.
humana (arco de la vida-etapas como constructo social). Es un proceso de
permanent change that goes from conception (one cell) throughout the
life. It is an adaptive and survival process, its end is to face the
internal and external conditions of life. This study is evolving
permanently including technological advancements. They influence permanently
a mix of heritage and experiences (environment) there is an interaction of
these two realities.

The study of human development aims to describe, explain, predict, and,

When is it appropriate to intervene in development.

Paul Baltes (1936-2006) provides a general theoretical framework for the study of
development of a lifetime through 7 basic principles:

1. Development lasts a lifetime. Each period is influenced by what

It affects what comes next. Each one has its characteristics and values.
peculiar, none is more or less important than another. The differences
Individuals increase with age.
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Development is multidimensional where many interact.

dimensions: biological, psychological, and social, which each develop
with different rhythms. A wide range of disciplines are involved (psychology,
psychiatry, sociology, anthropology, biology, genetics, family sciences
education, history, and medicine). Scientists study three areas
main: physical development (growth of the body and the brain, the
sensory abilities, motor skills, and health), development
cognitive (learning, attention, memory, language, thought,
reasoning and creativity) and psychosocial development (emotions,
personality and social relationships). These areas affect each other.

3. Development is multidirectional. When a person advances in a

field can lose in one or advance in both at the same time.

4. The relative influence of biology and culture changes during the

Life. Physical appearance has a significant influence at first, but it weakens over the years.
The educational, relational, and technological aspects compensate for the deterioration of the elderly.

5. Development involves modifying the distribution of resources.

Growth, maintenance, or recovery. In childhood and adulthood the
resources are allocated for growth; in old age, to regulate losses.

6. Development is plastic. Plasticity is the margin of modification of

performance. Many abilities, such as memory, strength, and endurance,
they improve significantly with training and practice, even at
advanced ages.

7. The historical and cultural context (time and place) influences the
development. For example, the flexibility of personality in old age.

Source: Papalia, Human Development, McGraw Hill Publishing, 11th edition, 2009