[LESSON 01] PERSPECTIVES ON NATURE AND NURTURE

DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY | 1st SEM, AY 2022-2023

DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY Development

• a broader and more comprehensive concept that
• branch of psychology that focuses on the study of how encompasses growth, maturation, and change.
individuals grow, change, and develop over the course • the overall progress and transformation of an
of their lives. individual across various domains, including physical,
• examines the physical, cognitive, social, emotional, cognitive, emotional, and social aspects.
and moral development that occurs from infancy • implies a more holistic and long-term process.
through adulthood and into old age. • example: The development of social skills in a Filipino
• field of psychology that seeks to understand the child involves not only physical growth and maturation
processes and factors that influence human but also changes in their ability to interact with peers,
development, as well as the milestones and understand cultural norms, and adapt to different
challenges individuals face at different stages of life. social situations over time.

Human Development – focuses on the scientific study of

the systematic processes of change and stability in STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT
people.
PSYCHOSOCIAL: ERIKSON
CHANGE, GROWTH, MATURATION, AND Infancy (birth – 1 year old)
DEVELOPMENT ✓ Basic Trust vs. Mistrust
✓ Basic Strength: Hope
• in developmental psychology, the terms "growth," ✓ Core Pathology: Withdrawal
"maturation," "change," and "development" are Early Childhood (2 – 3 years old)
often used to describe various aspects of human ✓ Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
development, but they have distinct meanings and ✓ Basic Strength: Will
implications. ✓ Core Pathology: Compulsion
Change Preschool/Play Age (3 – 5 years old)
• encompasses any alteration or modification in an ✓ Initiative vs. Guilt
individual's behavior, thoughts, emotions, or social ✓ Basic Strength: Purpose
interactions. ✓ Core Pathology: Inhibition
• can be a result of various factors, including experience, School Age (6 – 12 years old)
learning, or intervention. ✓ Industry vs. Inferiority
• example: A Filipino teenager might undergo changes ✓ Basic Strength: Competence
in their behavior and attitudes as they transition from ✓ Core Pathology: Inertia
adolescence to young adulthood, which may be Adolescence (12 – 18 years old)
influenced by cultural values, education, and exposure ✓ Identity vs. Role Confusion
to new experiences. ✓ Basic Strength: Fidelity
✓ Core Pathology: Role Repudiation
Growth
Young Adulthood (19 – 30 years old)
• physical increase in size, height, weight, and body
✓ Intimacy vs. Isolation
proportions.
✓ Basic Strength: Love
• primarily quantitative and can be measured
✓ Core Pathology: Exclusivity
objectively.
• example: In Filipino society, children often experience Middle/Late Adulthood (31 – 60 years old)
rapid growth during their early years. For instance, a ✓ Generativity vs. Stagnation
Filipino child's height and weight measurements at age ✓ Basic Strength: Care
3 will likely be significantly different from those at age ✓ Core Pathology: Rejectivity
6. Maturity/Old Age (60 years old – death)
✓ Ego Integrity vs. Despair
Maturation ✓ Basic Strength: Wisdom
• natural biological process of development that unfolds ✓ Core Pathology: Disdain
over time, leading to qualitative changes in an
individual's abilities, skills, and functioning. PSYCHOSEXUAL: FREUD
• influenced by genetic and biological factors.
Oral (birth – 1 year old)
• example: Maturation can be seen in the development
✓ Erogenous Zone: Mouth
of cognitive abilities, such as language acquisition in
Filipino children. As they grow, they naturally progress Anal (2 – 3 years old)
from basic language skills to more complex and ✓ Erogenous Zone: Anus
nuanced communication. Phallic (3 – 5 years old)
✓ Erogenous Zone: Genitals
Latency (6 – 12 years old/puberty) balanced diet rich in proteins, carbohydrates, fats,
✓ Erogenous Zone: Dormant vitamins, and minerals to support their rapid growth
Genital (puberty onwards) and development.
✓ Erogenous Zone: Genitals • exposure to toxins can also impact a child’s
development. For example, exposure to certain toxins
MORAL: KOHLBERG such as alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and even certain
environmental pollutants can negatively affect their
Pre-Conventional (3 – 7 years old)
development. These toxins can interfere with the
✓ Morality: Reward & Punishment
normal functioning of the body and brain, leading to
Conventional (8 – 13 years old) developmental delays or disorders.
✓ Morality: Law & Order Morality • access to healthcare is another crucial aspect of the
Post-Conventional (13 years old onwards) physical environment. Regular health check-ups can
✓ Morality: Abstract Reasoning & Own Sense of help detect and address potential health issues early
Morality (Personal Ethics) on. Moreover, access to vaccinations can protect
children from various diseases that could otherwise
COGNITIVE: PIAGET hinder their growth and development.
Sensorimotor (birth – 2 years old) • additionally, the physical safety of the environment,
Pre-Operational (2 – 6 years old) opportunities for physical activity and play, and the
Concrete Operational (7 – 12 years old) quality of housing conditions are also important
Formal Operational (12 years old and beyond) aspects of the physical environment that can influence
a child’s development.
ROLE OF HEREDITY AND ENVIRONMENT Social Environment
• broad term that includes various factors such as family,
• the role of heredity (genetics) and environment in
peers, school, culture, and society. These elements
human growth and development is a fundamental
play a crucial role in shaping an individual’s cognitive,
concept in developmental psychology.
emotional, and social development.
• interaction between nature (genetics) and nurture
• family is the first social environment a child
(environment) helps shape an individual's physical,
encounters. A supportive family environment can
cognitive, emotional, and social characteristics
foster emotional well-being and provide a safe space
throughout their lifespan.
for the child to learn and grow. On the other hand,
exposure to violence or conflict within the family can
HEREDITY (GENETICS) have adverse effects on a child’s development.
Genetic Inheritance • peers, or friends, become increasingly important as
Heredity – the process by which parents pass down children grow older. Positive peer relationships can
genetic information to their offspring. enhance social skills, while negative peer influences
can lead to risky behaviors.
• this genetic information is contained in units called
genes (segments of DNA that carry instructions for • school is another significant part of a child’s social
various traits and characteristics). environment. It provides opportunities for learning,
social interaction, and personal growth. The quality of
• each gene carries specific instructions for various traits
education and the school climate can greatly influence
and characteristics that an offspring inherits.
a child’s cognitive development and future
Biological Foundations achievements.
• genetics plays a significant role in determining a Cultural and Socioeconomic Environment
person's physical attributes, such as eye color, height,
• cultural norms, values, and socioeconomic status can
and susceptibility to certain genetic disorders.
shape an individual's beliefs, attitudes, and
Predisposition to Traits opportunities.
• genetics also influences an individual's predisposition • example: a child growing up in a culture that values
to certain behaviors and conditions, such as education may be more motivated to excel
intelligence, personality traits, and mental health academically.
disorders. However, genes alone do not determine Culture – the beliefs, customs, arts, etc., of a particular
these traits; they interact with environmental factors. society or group, which shape our values, behaviors, and
perceptions of the world.
ENVIRONMENT • a child’s cultural background can influence their
understanding of themselves and others.
Physical Environment
• society at large also plays a role in a child’s
• the environment in which a child grows up plays a development.
significant role in their development. This includes • socioeconomic factors, community resources, societal
conditions such as the quality of nutrition, exposure to norms and expectations can all impact a child’s
toxins, and access to healthcare. development.
• for instance, nutrition is a key factor in a child’s • cultural norms and values, as well as socioeconomic
physical growth. Proper nutrition can enhance a child’s status, play a significant role in shaping an individual’s
growth, while malnutrition can stunt it. Children need a
 beliefs, attitudes, and opportunities. These factors can
greatly influence a person’s behavior and life choices.
• for instance, in a culture that highly values education,
children are often encouraged to excel academically.
This cultural norm can motivate children to work hard
in school, seek higher education, and pursue careers
that require a high level of education.
• socioeconomic status also plays a crucial role. It can
affect physical and mental health, cognitive capacity,
educational achievement, and even brain
development and structure.
• for example, children from higher socioeconomic
backgrounds often have access to better educational
resources and healthcare services. This can provide
them with more opportunities for academic success
and overall well-being. On the other hand, children
from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may face
challenges such as limited access to quality education
and healthcare, which can hinder their academic
performance and health.