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What is developmental psychology and why does it matter?
Lou-Ann Quentin
University of Westminster, London, UK
BSPSY04F: Psychology and Criminology
Widanaralalage Don, Kennath
November 22, 2022
1,980 words
, 2
Introduction
Developmental psychology is an important branch of psychology because it gives reasons to
our many differences. Due to it, society acknowledges inequalities between individuals which
means we know how to aid them. In this book chapter, the several elements of developmental
psychology which have shaped developmental science will be explored. The Nature vs.
Nurture theory from which developmental psychology stems, will be introduced, as well as
early adversity effects affecting on individuals’ later lives. These will then be explored in
depth by bringing in the attachment theory, and introducing cognitive development which are
both widely researched in developmental science.
Firstly, the term psychology should be introduced which is the scientific study of a variety of
phenomena such as personality characteristics, mental abilities, and human development.
(Martin, 2017) Psychologists use the information they collect to generate the best approach to
different situations and provide their findings to the Government and other organisations.
One of the most significant branches in psychological studies is developmental psychology.
Developmental psychology focuses on behavioural development from birth to cradle. It
mostly has a focal point on the early stages of life. This study matters because using the
results, psychologists understand how individuals develop and what affects their development
and therefore can find ways to improve the humans’ development process and improve
society by providing help for those who are disadvantaged in life due to disturbances in their
development. The evident theory that needs to be brought in when looking at developmental
psychology is Nature vs. Nurture. Mitchell and Ziegler (2012) explained this theory in this
way:
Some theorists think that psychological processes and abilities are largely the product
of our genetic inheritance (nature), whereas others think they are largely the product
of our environment and experiences therein (nurture). (p. 4)
In other words, nature refers to individuals born with certain characteristics, and nurture
refers to individuals that develop certain characteristics. This theory is very important as it is
the overall concept when looking at developmental psychology. Nurture is inherently another
word for developmental psychology as it is the development of individuals’ behaviours. This
means that all subtopics in developmental psychology fall under the nurture category.
Study of Genie
It is important to introduce the famous case of Genie who was a neglected and abused child
for the first 13 years of her life. She was locked in a room, almost never had contact with
other individuals, and was beaten by her father when she made noises even if those were to
ask for food. She then learned that she should never try to speak. These factors during her
growth led her to not develop as steadily as healthy children do. As she barely had any
interaction with other humans, she did not learn speech. When she was taken in foster care,
she could not chew solid foods, could barely walk, suffered from malnutrition, could not
speak, and was completely unsocialised. Curtis (1977) Afterwards, Genie’s caregiver
changed as different scientists wanted to study her and help her develop basic human skills.
She learned a lot including lexicon (vocabulary). However, she could not develop grammar.
What is developmental psychology and why does it matter?
Lou-Ann Quentin
University of Westminster, London, UK
BSPSY04F: Psychology and Criminology
Widanaralalage Don, Kennath
November 22, 2022
1,980 words
, 2
Introduction
Developmental psychology is an important branch of psychology because it gives reasons to
our many differences. Due to it, society acknowledges inequalities between individuals which
means we know how to aid them. In this book chapter, the several elements of developmental
psychology which have shaped developmental science will be explored. The Nature vs.
Nurture theory from which developmental psychology stems, will be introduced, as well as
early adversity effects affecting on individuals’ later lives. These will then be explored in
depth by bringing in the attachment theory, and introducing cognitive development which are
both widely researched in developmental science.
Firstly, the term psychology should be introduced which is the scientific study of a variety of
phenomena such as personality characteristics, mental abilities, and human development.
(Martin, 2017) Psychologists use the information they collect to generate the best approach to
different situations and provide their findings to the Government and other organisations.
One of the most significant branches in psychological studies is developmental psychology.
Developmental psychology focuses on behavioural development from birth to cradle. It
mostly has a focal point on the early stages of life. This study matters because using the
results, psychologists understand how individuals develop and what affects their development
and therefore can find ways to improve the humans’ development process and improve
society by providing help for those who are disadvantaged in life due to disturbances in their
development. The evident theory that needs to be brought in when looking at developmental
psychology is Nature vs. Nurture. Mitchell and Ziegler (2012) explained this theory in this
way:
Some theorists think that psychological processes and abilities are largely the product
of our genetic inheritance (nature), whereas others think they are largely the product
of our environment and experiences therein (nurture). (p. 4)
In other words, nature refers to individuals born with certain characteristics, and nurture
refers to individuals that develop certain characteristics. This theory is very important as it is
the overall concept when looking at developmental psychology. Nurture is inherently another
word for developmental psychology as it is the development of individuals’ behaviours. This
means that all subtopics in developmental psychology fall under the nurture category.
Study of Genie
It is important to introduce the famous case of Genie who was a neglected and abused child
for the first 13 years of her life. She was locked in a room, almost never had contact with
other individuals, and was beaten by her father when she made noises even if those were to
ask for food. She then learned that she should never try to speak. These factors during her
growth led her to not develop as steadily as healthy children do. As she barely had any
interaction with other humans, she did not learn speech. When she was taken in foster care,
she could not chew solid foods, could barely walk, suffered from malnutrition, could not
speak, and was completely unsocialised. Curtis (1977) Afterwards, Genie’s caregiver
changed as different scientists wanted to study her and help her develop basic human skills.
She learned a lot including lexicon (vocabulary). However, she could not develop grammar.
