Human Development Across the Lifespan — Physical, Cognitive, and Social Growth Explained | Psychology Chapter 5 Summary

Human Development Across the Lifespan — Physical, Cognitive, and Social Growth Explained | Psychology Chapter 5 Summary

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This comprehensive summary of Chapter 5 from Psychology (13th Edition) by David G. Myers and C. Nathan DeWall explores human development from conception through late adulthood. The chapter covers physical, cognitive, and social changes that shape our growth across the lifespan.

Watch the full YouTube podcast summary for an engaging explanation of developmental psychology.

Major Issues in Developmental Psychology

Psychologists study how humans grow and change, focusing on three key debates:

  • Nature vs. Nurture: The interaction of genetics and experience in shaping development.
  • Continuity vs. Stages: Whether development is gradual or occurs in distinct stages.
  • Stability vs. Change: Traits that remain stable versus those that evolve over time.

Prenatal Development and the Newborn

Development begins prenatally with three stages:

  • Zygote (0–2 weeks): Rapid cell division.
  • Embryo (2–9 weeks): Organ development.
  • Fetus (9 weeks–birth): Continued growth and viability.

Teratogens, such as alcohol or drugs, can harm fetal development. Newborns display survival reflexes like rooting and grasping, and show early sensory preferences for faces and familiar voices.

Infancy and Childhood Development

Physical Development

The frontal lobe rapidly develops from ages 3–6, enhancing attention and impulse control. Motor milestones like rolling, sitting, and walking occur in a predictable sequence.

Cognitive Development

Piaget’s stages describe how thinking evolves:

  • Sensorimotor (0–2 years): Object permanence, sensory exploration.
  • Preoperational (2–6 years): Egocentrism, pretend play, language growth.
  • Concrete Operational (7–11 years): Logical thinking, conservation understanding.
  • Formal Operational (12+ years): Abstract reasoning.

Vygotsky emphasized the role of social interaction and scaffolding in learning.

Social Development

Attachment bonds form early, with Harlow’s monkey studies illustrating the need for comfort. Parenting styles influence development:

  • Authoritarian: Strict, high expectations.
  • Permissive: Few rules, lenient.
  • Negligent: Uninvolved, neglectful.
  • Authoritative: Balanced structure and warmth (best outcomes).

The chapter also introduces Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and its impact on communication and social skills.

Adolescence

Puberty triggers hormonal and brain changes, increasing risk-taking and abstract thinking. Kohlberg’s stages outline moral development, while Erikson’s theory describes identity formation during this period. Peer influence grows stronger than parental influence.

Adulthood and Aging

Emerging adulthood (18–25 years) transitions into middle adulthood, marked by career and family development and fertility decline. Late adulthood involves cognitive changes like memory decline and neurocognitive disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. Despite challenges, older adults often report greater well-being.

The social clock reflects culturally expected timing for life events like marriage and retirement.

Conclusion: Lifelong Development is Multifaceted

Chapter 5 reveals human development as a continuous, multifaceted process influenced by biological, cognitive, and social factors. Grasping these dynamics provides vital insight into growth and change from infancy to old age.

For a complete understanding, watch the full video summary and explore more chapters to advance your psychology knowledge.

If you found this breakdown helpful, be sure to subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more chapter-by-chapter textbook summaries and academic study guides.

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