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Lesson 1 - Human Growth and Development

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16 views

Lesson 1 - Human Growth and Development

Uploaded by

willismurimikinyua
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Human Growth and Development

Meaning:
•The study of how humans grow, develop, and change
throughout the lifespan.
Meaning -Growth

• It generally refers to increase in some quantity over


time. E.g. size, length, height and weight
• Such changes could be objectively observed and
measured.
Characteristics of Growth
• Refers to increase caused by becoming larger and heavier.
• It is quantitative, additive, and incremental.
• It is objectively observable and measurable.
• Occurs rapidly in early phases of life up to adolescence.
• It may or may not bring development.
• Rate of growth is not uniform. Brings about individual
differences among children.
• Different body parts grow at different rates.
Meaning -Development

• Development:
• Refers to changes over time in a person’s body,
thought, and behavior due to biological and
environmental influences.
• Results in improved working or functioning.
• Indicates the changes in the quality or characteristics.
• Results from growth, maturation and learning.
E.g. How does a child’s movement develop?
Characteristics of Development
• Development:
• Occurs in an orderly, predictable pattern as a result of maturation
and experience/learning.
• Is continuous throughout the lifespan.
• Aims at adapting to the environment.
• Is complex involves many structures and functions.
• Has many aspects (physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and
moral).
• Is qualitative thus cannot be measured directly.
• Is possible even without growth.
Difference between growth and
development
Growth Development
• 1 Quantitative Qualitative
• 2 Objectively observed & measured It cannot be measured directly.
• 3 Fixed. Stops after maturation. Continues throughout lifespan.
• 4 It is one aspect of development. It is complex and many sided.
• 5 Occurs in different body parts. It involves changes in processes and
functions.
• 6 It is not directional. It is progressive and sequential.
• 7 It is not affected by learning. Affected by Learning and experience.
• 8 May or not lead to development. It is integrative. Dev’t in one aspect
promotes the dev’t in other aspects.
Domains of human development
• Human development is studied within four
interacting domains:
a. physical growth,
b. cognitive growth,
c. personality development, and
d. sociocultural development
Aspects of human devt…
• Physical: weight, body proportions and general physical
appearance
• Affected by biological influences like genes from parents, and
maturation
Aspects of development cont…
• Cognitive/Intellectual development-Acquisition of
skills in perceiving, thinking, reasoning, problem
solving, and language
• Reflects the role of cognitive processes in
development.
Aspects of development cont..
• Emotional development-involves changes in an individual’s
emotions
Aspects of development cont..
• Personality development-Acquiring stable and enduring
personality traits
Aspects of development cont..
• Social development-These are changes in an individual’s
relationship with others through the processes of
socialization and enculturation.
Guiding Themes in Human Development
• Development:
a) Is affected by biological and environmental factors.
b) Occurs within a social context
c) Is understood through domains or categories of human
experience
d) Is best understood within a theoretical framework and
when studied using the scientific methods
The nature of human development

• Individual biology and the environment interact


• Society and culture are powerful influences
• Children are viewed more favorably today than in the past
• Collectivist cultures stress interdependence and cooperation
• Individualistic cultures emphasize competition and individual
achievement
Controversies in Human Growth and Development

1. Nature vs Nurture debate


2. Whether development occurs in stages or not.
3. Whether certain personality traits remain stable across
the entire lifespan.
Nature vs Nature debate
• Nature-an individual’s biological inheritance especially
in his/her genes.

• Nurture-An individual’s environmental and social


experiences.
• What is the role of the developing individual in
his/her development?
Stages or no stages?
• Some development takes place in quantitative stages
• Others take place in qualitative stages.
• Check out for more controversial issues.
Why study human growth and development?
• To know the norms and stages of development
• To understand how different factors affect development.
• To understand historical, theoretical, cultural, and research perspectives of
human growth and development
• Knowledge of human growth and development influences social norms and
policy.
• Such knowledge enhances the effectiveness of therapy and other intervention
efforts like counselling.
• To understand how we develop and why we act as we do.
• To know what is best for humans (from pregnancy to death). This helps create a
more adaptive life and a better world for others.
Revision Questions
1.Describe the terms Growth and Development
2.Explain why your experience as a teacher cannot substitute
the need to study Human growth and Development..
3.Discuss the nature versus nurture debate in Human growth
and Development.
4.Explain the characteristics of Growth and Development.

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