This area of knowledge in psychology studies the development of human beings in all its aspects: physical-motor, intellectual, affective-emotional and social – from birth to adulthood.
human development
Human development refers to mental development and organic growth. Mental development is an ongoing construction. These are the forms of organization of mental activity that are improving and solidifying. Some of these mental structures remain throughout life.
The importance of studying human development
This study is to understand the importance of studying human development. Studying human development means knowing the common characteristics of an age group. Planning what and how to teach implies knowing who the student is. There are ways of perceiving, understanding and behaving in front of the world, specific to each age group.
Factors influencing human development
Heredity – the genetic load establishes the individual's potential, which may or may not develop. Intelligence can develop according to the conditions of the environment in which it finds itself.
Organic growth - refers to the physical aspect.
Neurophysiological maturation – this is what makes a certain pattern of behavior possible.
Middle – the set of environmental influences and stimuli alters the individual's behavior patterns.
Aspects of human development
Physical-motor aspect - refers to organic growth, neurophysiological maturation. E.g.: The child who takes the pacifier to his mouth.
Intellectual aspect – is the capacity for thinking, reasoning. Eg: A 2-year-old child who uses a broom handle to pull a toy that is under a piece of furniture.
Affective-emotional aspect – is the individual's particular way of integrating their experiences. Sexuality is part of this aspect. Ex.: The shame we feel in some situations.
Social aspect – is the way the individual reacts to situations that involve other people. Ex.: When in a group there is a child who remains alone.
It is not possible to find a “pure” example, because all these aspects are permanently related.
Jean Piaget's Theory of Human Development
This author divides the periods of development according to the appearance of new qualities of thought.
During this period, the most important thing that happens is the appearance of language. As a result of the appearance of language, the development of thought accelerates. Interaction and communication between individuals are the most obvious consequences of language. One of the most relevant is the respect that the child has for the individuals he considers superior to him. During this period, neurophysiological maturation is completed, allowing the development of new skills, such as fine motor coordination – pick up small objects with your fingertips, hold the pencil correctly and be able to make the delicate movements required for writing.
Period of concrete operations
(Childhood itself - 7 to 11 or 12 years old)
At this age the child is ready to start a systematic learning process. The child acquires a growing autonomy in relation to the adult, starting to organize their own moral values. Grouping with the opposite sex decreases. The child, who at the beginning of the period still considered the opinions and ideas of adults a lot, in the end comes to confront them.
Period of formal operations
(Adolescence – 11 or 12 years onwards)
Can deal with concepts such as freedom, justice, etc. Can draw conclusions from pure hypotheses. The target of his reflection is society, always analyzed as possible to be reformed and transformed. In the affective aspect, the adolescent experiences conflicts.
youth: life project
The personality begins to form in late childhood, between 8 and 12 years of age. In adulthood, no new mental structure appears, and the individual then moves towards a gradual increase in cognitive development.
Reference
BOCK, Ana Mercês Bahia; FURTADO, Odair; TEIXEIRA, Maria de Lourdes Transi. Psychologies, An Introduction to the Study of Psychology, 13th edition, Ed. Saraiva, 2001.
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/psicologia/psicologia-do-desenvolvimento.htm