Three major takeaways I learned in module 9 about lifespan development include normotensive development, continuous and discontinuous development, and development of personality and behavior. I learned that not all normal events in developmental milestones are universal. Biological events such as puberty are universal, while social events such as schooling tend to vary according to the environment and culture. I also found out about the difference between continuous and discontinuous development. Continuous development refers to adding knowledge, skills, or physical aspect during development (Spielman et al., 2020). In contrast, discontinuous growth refers to the child’s intuitive ability to learn different aspects, such as the child’s ability to walk differs completely from their ability to talk. The continuous and discontinuous aspects of development combine to show the progression of children from infancy to maturity.
Moreover, I learned how childhood experiences shape one’s personality and behavior as an adult. According to Freud, development is discontinuous, where children pass through different stages influenced by how their parents nurture them (as cited in Spielman et al., 2020). When children are not well-nurtured, they acquire undesirable traits which may follow them into adulthood. When children live in an environment where parents constantly disagree with each other, they grow up sad, which affects their personality in adulthood. One question from the module is whether a child’s intellectual ability growing toward adulthood is affected by social, genetic, or environmental factors.
Reference
Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. (2020). Psychology (2nd ed.). Openstax College, RiceUniversity.