22 Chapter Conclusion
In this chapter, we explored lifespan developmental science, examining how individuals grow and change from birth to old age. We started by reviewing key research methods in developmental psychology, including naturalistic observation, case studies, and controlled experiments. These methods help us understand human development patterns and provide evidence-based insights into how people evolve over time.
We then looked at major debates and theories in human development, discussing whether development is continuous or occurs in distinct stages and the roles of genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) in shaping individuals. We introduced the concept of normal development, encouraging consideration of the wide range of human growth and influencing factors.
Significant Big Picture models of development include the Indigenous Connectedness Framework and Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory. These theories highlight the role of social and environmental contexts, offering a holistic view of individual and community interconnectedness.
In this chapter we also discussed several focused perspectives on lifespan development. In particular, the social construction of cognition (Vygotsky) and stages of psychosocial (Erikson), cognitive (Piaget), and moral development (Kohlberg and Gilligan) showing how our thinking, social relationships, and moral reasoning change over time. We also examined theories on Racial, Feminist, and Spiritual identity formation as well as biological development stages from prenatal growth to adulthood, emphasizing genetics and environmental impacts on growth. We also discussed the factors that influence the development of attachment styles and self-concept.
Next we looked at the impact of technologies like television, cell phones, social media, and video games. We finished this chapter with a critical discussion of the impact of catastrophic harms on the development of survivors of the Indian Residential School system and the attempted cultural genocide of Indigenous people in Canada.
Concluding the chapter, we gained a deep appreciation for the complexity and diversity of human development. This journey through life’s stages, supported by scientific research and theoretical frameworks, broadens our understanding of the human experience. This chapter has laid the foundation of the science of developmental psychology and given us a deep understanding of the nature of human growth. Along the way we have learned the importance of practicing a holistic, interrelated, interdependent, and inclusive approach to studying the human lifespan.
