Physical development. Why should a psychologist study physical development?
It has been known for centuries that not only biological factors can influence the
psychological development and well-being of a person, but psychological factors
also can have a significant effect on the physical development and health of an
individual. Therefore, it is important that psychologists should be well acquainted
with the relevant physical aspects of child development. In the chapters to come,
we shall describe the pertinent facets such as genetics, physical changes in a
child's body, the brain, motor development (movement), hormones, and nutrition.
• Cognitive development. Cognition refers to how we acquire information about the
world by means of our senses, how we process and interpret such information, and
how we store, retrieve, and use this knowledge to direct our behaviour. Therefore,
cognitive development refers to how children come to know and understand their
world and includes perception, learning, memory, thinking, decision-making,
imagination, creativity, language, and intelligence.
• Personality development. Personality is one of the most comprehensive terms
in psychology. Many definitions of personality exist, the content of which is usually
determined by the specific paradigm (viewpoint) of the author or theorist. However,
most psychologists will agree with the viewpoint that personality is the totality of
a person's enduring (lasting) pattern of both inherent and acquired psychological,
social, moral, and physical characteristics (Holzman, 2021; Plug et al., 2009).
Several important aspects of personality will receive attention in this book, such as
temperament, personality traits, the self, the self-concept, self-esteem, identity, and
emotional experience and expression.
• Social development. Social development involves the development of the individual's
abilities (e.g., interpersonal skills), attitudes, relationships, and behaviour that enable
them to interact with others and to function as members of society (APA, 2020). It also
refers to the influence of society and significant other persons on an individual. Social
development includes aspects such as the development of attachment between a
caregiver and a child, the expansion of a person's interpersonal relationships, the
modelling of behaviour and the development of relationships between the sexes. It
also involves moral development (distinguishing between right and wrong), religion,
and spirituality.
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Simplified Overview of Key Developmental Areas for Psychologists
Physical Development:
Psychologists study physical development because both biological and psychological factors interact to affect a person's growth, health, and well-being. Understanding aspects like genetics, bodily changes, brain function, motor skills, hormones, and nutrition is essential for psychologists, especially in child development.
Cognitive Development:
Cognitive development encompasses how children learn and understand the world around them. This includes how they perceive information, remember and think, make decisions, use imagination and creativity, develop language skills, and measure intelligence.
Personality Development:
Personality is a complex term in psychology, defined variably depending on the theorist's perspective. Generally, it reflects the enduring patterns of a person's psychological, social, moral, and physical characteristics. Key aspects covered include temperament, personality traits, self-concept, self-esteem, identity, and emotional experiences.
Social Development:
Social development focuses on how individuals develop the skills and behaviors needed to interact within society. It encompasses interpersonal skills, relationships, and societal influences. Key elements include nurturing attachments, expanding interpersonal relationships, modeling behaviors, and moral development, along with aspects of religion and spirituality.
Together, these areas illustrate the multifaceted nature of human development, highlighting the importance of an integrated approach in psychology.
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