Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionTheoriesConditions TreatedTraining and CertificationsTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Theories
Conditions Treated
Training and Certifications
Treatment
Developmentalpsychologyis the study of how humans grow, change, and adapt across the course of their lives. Developmental psychologists research the stages of physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development from the prenatal stage through infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.
This article covers developmental psychology, including the definition, types, life stages, and how to seek treatment when necessary.
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Defining Developmental Psychology
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), developmental psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on how human beings grow, change, adapt, and mature across various life stages.Developmental psychology is also known as human development or lifespan psychology.
In each of the life stages of developmental psychology, people generally meet certain physical, emotional, and social milestones.These are the major life stages, according to developmental psychologists:
The Origins of Developmental PsychologyDuring its early development as a branch of psychology in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, developmental psychology focused on infant and child development. As the field grew, so did its focus. Today, developmental psychologists focus on all stages of the human lifespan.
The Origins of Developmental Psychology
During its early development as a branch of psychology in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, developmental psychology focused on infant and child development. As the field grew, so did its focus. Today, developmental psychologists focus on all stages of the human lifespan.
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Theories of Developmental Psychology
As developmental psychology grew over time, various researchers proposed theories about how to understand the process of human development. Depending on their training, a developmental psychologist might focus on a specific theory or approach within the field.
These are a few of the major branches of developmental psychology.
Psychosocial Developmental Theory
Building on Austrian neurologist and founder of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud’s theory ofpsychosexual development, psychologist Erik Erikson proposed a lifespan theory that included eight stages ofpsychosocial development.
Each of the stages corresponds to both an age range and a core “crisis” (such as trust vs. mistrust in infancy) that must be resolved before someone can move on to the next.
Cognitive Developmental Theory
Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development focuses on how children and youth gradually become able to think logically and scientifically. Piaget proposed that cognition develops through four distinct stages of intellectual development, beginning at birth and ending at age 12.
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Developmental psychologists can help people address developmental issues in order to reach their full potential.
Some of the conditions a developmental psychologist might treat include:
There are many master’s, graduate certificate, and PhD programs in developmental psychology in the United States. Some focus on a certain part of a person’s lifespan, such as child and adolescent development. In addition to research and teaching, graduates may participate in a practicum or internship to pursue licensing as a therapist.
When to Seek Treatment
If you’re concerned that your child is facing a developmental delay, a developmental psychologist can assess them to ensure that they are meeting their milestones. It’s best to seek an assessment, diagnosis, and treatment early, so intervention can begin as soon as possible.
Examples of when to see a developmental psychologist may include:
A developmental psychologist might perform physical and/or cognitive testing to diagnose your child or refer them to another specialist, including the following:
A developmental psychologist will also likely ask you and your child questions about issues in areas of their life such as friends, behavior, or school performance.
In addition to working with infants and children, developmental psychologists can also help people at any stage of life. In particular, many older adults benefit from working with a developmental psychologist if they’re experiencing symptoms of dementia, ill health, or cognitive decline.
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Summary
Developmental psychology is the study of how human beings grow and change throughout their lives. Many developmental psychologists focus on the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development of infants, children, and adolescents. Others treat and assess people of all ages.
Developmental psychologists can treat issues such as developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, speech and language delays, motor skill delays, dementia, anxiety, depression, auditory processing disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and more. They also make referrals to other specialists, such as physical therapists, psychiatrists, and speech-language pathologists.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Developmental psychology.Maryville University.What is human development and why is it important?American Psychological Association.Developmental psychology studies human development across the lifespan.Oklahoma State University Library.Social development: Erikson’s eight psychosocial crises.Oklahoma State University Library.Cognitive development: the theory of Jean Piaget.University of Illinois Psychology Department Labs.Adult attachment theory and research.Oklahoma State University Library.Social theories of learning.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Healthy habits: child development.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC’s developmental milestones.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Developmental psychology.Maryville University.What is human development and why is it important?American Psychological Association.Developmental psychology studies human development across the lifespan.Oklahoma State University Library.Social development: Erikson’s eight psychosocial crises.Oklahoma State University Library.Cognitive development: the theory of Jean Piaget.University of Illinois Psychology Department Labs.Adult attachment theory and research.Oklahoma State University Library.Social theories of learning.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Healthy habits: child development.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC’s developmental milestones.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Psychological Association.Developmental psychology.Maryville University.What is human development and why is it important?American Psychological Association.Developmental psychology studies human development across the lifespan.Oklahoma State University Library.Social development: Erikson’s eight psychosocial crises.Oklahoma State University Library.Cognitive development: the theory of Jean Piaget.University of Illinois Psychology Department Labs.Adult attachment theory and research.Oklahoma State University Library.Social theories of learning.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Healthy habits: child development.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC’s developmental milestones.
American Psychological Association.Developmental psychology.
Maryville University.What is human development and why is it important?
American Psychological Association.Developmental psychology studies human development across the lifespan.
Oklahoma State University Library.Social development: Erikson’s eight psychosocial crises.
Oklahoma State University Library.Cognitive development: the theory of Jean Piaget.
University of Illinois Psychology Department Labs.Adult attachment theory and research.
Oklahoma State University Library.Social theories of learning.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Healthy habits: child development.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC’s developmental milestones.
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