The definition of development given by the Webster’s Encyclopedia of Dictionaries is, “To unfold gradually . . . to evolve by natural processes . . .” (Allee, 1958, p. 105) neither of these definitions give a time frame for development to begin and end; hence it is reasonable to conclude that development is lifelong. This is the backbone of the life-span perspective. There are six elements that comprise the life-span perspective which are: development is lifelong, development is multidimensional, development is multidirectional, development is plastic, development is multidisciplinary, and finally development is contextual.
The first element of the life-span perspective is that development is lifelong. The definition of development has no …show more content…
34). Thus plastic refers to the brains ability to change. There is some dispute to whether or not the brain’s plasticity diminishes over time; such as can older adults learn a new language? Demick and Andreoletti state that, “The brain remains plastic and amenable to modification by experience throughout life . . .” (Demick & Andreoletti, 2003, p. 191). While Timothy Salthouse’s research shows that there is a decline in the brain’s plasticity as individuals grow older (Salthouse, 2009, p. 513).
According to Marc Bornstein and Michael Lamb the term multidisciplinary means that, “. . . attempts have been made to integrate ideas from the ideas from the many disciplines involved in the study of human lives (e.g., anthropology, biology, sociology)” (Bornstein & Lamb, 1988, p. 36). There are several questions about development that cannot be answered by one discipline of research. An example of such research would be a neuroscientist and a psychologist working together to understand the cognitive changes that occur throughout
The first element of the life-span perspective is that development is lifelong. The definition of development has no …show more content…
34). Thus plastic refers to the brains ability to change. There is some dispute to whether or not the brain’s plasticity diminishes over time; such as can older adults learn a new language? Demick and Andreoletti state that, “The brain remains plastic and amenable to modification by experience throughout life . . .” (Demick & Andreoletti, 2003, p. 191). While Timothy Salthouse’s research shows that there is a decline in the brain’s plasticity as individuals grow older (Salthouse, 2009, p. 513).
According to Marc Bornstein and Michael Lamb the term multidisciplinary means that, “. . . attempts have been made to integrate ideas from the ideas from the many disciplines involved in the study of human lives (e.g., anthropology, biology, sociology)” (Bornstein & Lamb, 1988, p. 36). There are several questions about development that cannot be answered by one discipline of research. An example of such research would be a neuroscientist and a psychologist working together to understand the cognitive changes that occur throughout