Psychology 1000 Chapter 12: Chapter 12 - Development Over the Lifespan

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 1000
• Professor: Terry Biggs

Document Summary

Four issues guide developmental issues, which examines changes in our biological, physical, psychological and behavioural processes as we age: No change: an ability present at or before birth that remains relatively constant across the lifespan (e. g. the ability to discriminate high- from low- pitched sounds) Continuous change (continuity): an ability not present, or very immature, at birth that develops gradually over months or years, and then remains constant over age (e. g. certain types of intelligence) Stages (discontinuity): an ability that progresses in stages, with relatively rapid shifts from a lower level of performance to a higher level (e. g. in cognitive development, the shift from non-verbal thought to symbolic thinking involving words) Inverted u-shaped function: an ability that emerges after birth, peaks, and disappears with age (e. g. separation anxiety) U-shaped function: an ability that is present early in life, disappears temporarily, and re-emerges later.