Life-span developmental psychology involves the study of constancy and change in behaviour throughout ontogenesis (individual development), from conception to death. The core aim of the field is to obtain knowledge about general principles of life-long development, about inter individual differences and similarities in development, as well as about the degree and conditions of individual plasticity or modifiability of development (Baltes, 1977).
Within this substantive territory of psychology, the objectives of life span psychology are:
• To offer an organized account of the overall structure and sequence of development across the life span.
• To identify the interconnections between earlier and later developmental events and processes. …show more content…
• To specify the biological and environmental opportunities and constraints that shape life span development of individuals including their range of plasticity (modifiability).
When looking at developmental psychology theories, life-span and traditional are the two approaches that provide the insight in individual development.
So what is the difference between lifespan and traditional theories of development?
Traditional developmental theories look closely at specific aspects of development within a particular stage mainly childhood, whereas on the other hand a lifespan looks at the individual’s entire lifespan.
Psychoanalyst Erik Erikson (1902-1994) provided a psychodynamic view which emphasizes social interaction with other people. In Erikson’s view, both society and culture challenge and shape people. Erikson’s theory suggests that developmental change occurs throughout people lives in eight distinct stages. The stages emerge in a fixed pattern and are similar for all people. (Erikson, 1963)
• Birth to 18 months
• 18 months to 3 years
• 3 to 6 years
• 5–6 years to adolescence
• Adolescence to
Within this substantive territory of psychology, the objectives of life span psychology are:
• To offer an organized account of the overall structure and sequence of development across the life span.
• To identify the interconnections between earlier and later developmental events and processes. …show more content…
• To specify the biological and environmental opportunities and constraints that shape life span development of individuals including their range of plasticity (modifiability).
When looking at developmental psychology theories, life-span and traditional are the two approaches that provide the insight in individual development.
So what is the difference between lifespan and traditional theories of development?
Traditional developmental theories look closely at specific aspects of development within a particular stage mainly childhood, whereas on the other hand a lifespan looks at the individual’s entire lifespan.
Psychoanalyst Erik Erikson (1902-1994) provided a psychodynamic view which emphasizes social interaction with other people. In Erikson’s view, both society and culture challenge and shape people. Erikson’s theory suggests that developmental change occurs throughout people lives in eight distinct stages. The stages emerge in a fixed pattern and are similar for all people. (Erikson, 1963)
• Birth to 18 months
• 18 months to 3 years
• 3 to 6 years
• 5–6 years to adolescence
• Adolescence to