Developmental Psychology

Developmental psychology is the scientific study of changes in behavior and cognition throughout the life span. It focuses on how developmental processes unfold over time such as physical maturation, how distinct characteristics, such as language, emerge, and how behavioral and social changes occur. Developmental Psychologists tend to study development from conception to adulthood, by exploring the numerous factors that influence our development such as culture, physiology, genetics, and family dynamics. Much of our knowledge of development has been established through the use of cross-sectional studies, which examine the effects of age, by comparing development across different age groups. On the other hand, longitudinal studies follow the same children over time to evaluate the role of childhood experiences on the development of behavior. Developmental Psychologists have also taken a sociocultural approach by exploring how culture influences different aspects of development. For example, research has been done on how certain genes influence our development and how changes in culture over the generations often lead to different outcomes. Additionally, research in developmental psychology has highlighted the importance of early life experiences, such as parental care, on children's development. In particular, quality of attachment and parenting styles have been linked to positive behaviors and academic success in children. Finally, developmental psychologists have explored the ways in which socialization, cognition, and attitudes are formed over the life span. Much research is done on the development of cognitive skills, such as problem solving, decision making, and memory, as well as emotional maturity, which manifests in our experiences of anxiety, depression, and happiness. Furthermore, research has examined how our personality, values, and beliefs develop over our life span. Overall, developmental psychology offers an in-depth look at the increasing complexity of an individual's behavior and thought process over the lifespan, by examining the role of various genetic and environmental influences.