Define developmental psychology
Developmental psychology, or what is also known as developmental psychology or developmental science, is the study of human development and growth during the various stages of development, starting with childhood, adolescence, and youth, and ending with old age. It is also a branch of general psychology, which studies Also, the variables that occur during the different stages of development in terms of behavioral and psychological aspects, as well as the physical and emotional characteristics of each stage.
Defining development from a psychological point of view
Growth is all overlapping, sequential, and regular changes in all physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral aspects that occur to the individual, aiming to complete his maturity, and his compatibility with himself, and with the surrounding community
branches of developmental psychology
- Child psychology.
- Psychology of adolescence and youth.
- The psychology of aging.
Objectives of studying developmental psychology
- The learner’s knowledge of the nature of the human psyche and the nature of the stages it is going through, with the aim of expanding the scope of knowledge for parents, teachers, psychologists, and social workers, and thus interacting with children, adolescents, and the elderly on the basis of a correct understanding of the nature of their growth and characteristics.
- Access to complete knowledge regarding the nature of the personality of individuals and its components, and the influence of genetics and the environment in shaping the desires, motives, and patterns of behavior of that individual, in addition to other factors that contribute to the formation and modification of personality, and thus access to a correct understanding of the nature of growth.
- Explain and understand behavior in all its different dimensions and forms, identify the factors that affect it positively or negatively, and thus determine appropriate methods of socialization and judge, evaluate, control or change behavior in order to achieve the happiness and safety of the person and his surroundings.
- Knowing the laws of growth that control the nature and speed of growth, and its relationship to other aspects of life, leads in a way to understanding children and the mechanism of dealing with them during their different ages, thus preparing them naturally to grow for the next stage of development in an appropriate manner.
- Identifying the individual differences between members of society, and the differences between the sexes in the field of psychological development.
- Formulating optimal educational goals to build a clear and comprehensive curriculum regarding growth demands, choosing curricula, designing teaching methods and mechanisms, and educational experiences that will enable the teacher to meet and achieve all growth demands during each educational stage. studying it.
- Developing educational curricula and curricula to meet the full demands of growth on an ongoing basis, adapt to changes in line with the present era, and provide individuals with motives that encourage them to look to the future, through continuous education that makes them live in harmony with the rhythm of the times.
Stages of human development according to developmental psychology
- pre-birth stage.
- lactation stage. nursery stage.
- Late childhood. puberty.
- Adolescence.
- adulthood stage. pre-adolescence.
- Psychopathology in a child.