Social Psychology

Psychology as a Social Science is the work of an individual living in a society, and different social processes influence the individual’s attitudes, beliefs, values, etc. As individuals interact with the environment and gain knowledge and experience, the environment moulds individual behaviours.

Contents

Growth and Development

Development Concept

Principles of Human Development

Conclusion

Growth and Development

Most people use the terms “growth” and “development” interchangeably and accept them as synonymous. But in reality, the meanings of these two terms are different.  

Growth refers to a physical increase in some quantity over time. This includes social work height, weight, body proportions, and general physical appearance changes. 

According to Encyclopedia Britannica, growth is “an increase in size or the amount of an entity.” This means that Growth involves all the structural and physiological changes that occur within an individual during the process. For example, a child grows and increases in weight, height, and different organs of the child’s body. 

Hurlock has defined Growth as a “change in size, in proportion to the disappearance of old features and acquisition of new ones.”

Growth refers to structural and physiological changes (Crow and Crow). Thus, Growth refers to an increase in the physical size of the whole or any of its parts, which can be measured. 

Development Concept

Development refers to qualitative changes in the organism as a whole. It is a continuous process through which physical, Psychology as a Social Science is the work of an individual living in a society, and different social processes influence the individual’s attitudes emotional, and intellectual changes occur. It is a broader term than Growth. Development is also possible without Growth. 

Webster’s dictionary definition is “a series of changes an organism undergoes from an embryonic stage to maturity.” In the Encyclopedia Britannica, development is defined as the progressive change in size, shape, and function during an organism’s life by which its genetic potential is translated into a functioning adult system.

So, development includes all those social work of psychological changes that affect the functions and activities of an organism’s different organs. 

Development is a continuous and gradual process (Skinner). According to Crow and Crow, development is concerned with Growth and behavioural Psychology as a Social Science is the work of an individual living in a society, and different social processes influence the individual’s attitude changes resulting from environmental situations. 

Thus, development is a process of change in growth and capability over time due to both maturation and interaction with the environment. 

Principles of Human Development

Developmental psychologists believe that knowledge is an accurate fundamental to understanding children. Several basic principles characterize the pattern and process of growth and development. These principles describe typical development as a predictable and orderly process. 

Although there are individual differences in children’s personalities, attitudes, and timing of development, the principles and characteristics of development are universal patterns. 

Development Involves Change

The human being undergoes changes from the moment of conception to the time of death. Different types of change occur, such as changes in size and proportions, the disappearance of old features, and the acquisition of new features. 

The goal of these developmental changes is self-realization, which Abraham Maslow has labelled self-actualization. 

Each individual is equipped with specific abilities and potentialities at birth. By utilizing innate or inborn abilities, one tries to realise and strive for self-actualization throughout life. 

Children’s attitudes toward change are generally determined by their knowledge about these changes, social attitudes toward this change, Psychology as a Social Science is the work of an individual living in a society, and different social processes influence the individual’s attitudes and social work and how people in society treat children when these changes occur.

Development is a Continuous Process

Development continues throughout an individual’s life. This process involves interaction with the environment in which a person lives. One stage of development provides the basic framework for the next stage. 

A child has limited knowledge and experience about his environment. However, as he develops, he acquires more information through explorations of the skills already acquired, and the new skills become the basis for further achievement and mastery of skills. 

For example, if the child can write and draw, he must have developed hand-control skills to hold a pencil and crayon. Thus, a person has vast experiences and knowledge as he grows up. 

Develop and Uniform Patterns in an Orderly Manner

This means that spinal cord psychology as a social science is the work of an individual living in a society, and different social processes influence the individual’s attitudes to develop before the outer parts of the body. The child’s arms develop before the hands, and the hands and feet develop before the fingers and toes. 

(i) Development proceeds from the centimetre of the body outward. This principle of proximodistal development describes the direction (from nearer to far apart). 

(ii) Development proceeds from the head downwards. This is called the cephalocaudal principle.

According to this principle, development occurs from head to tail. The child gains control of the head first, then the arms. 

Individual Differences in the Development Process

Even though development is similar for all children, the rate varies. 

Each child develops as per his abilities and perception of his environment. Children differ from each other both genetically and environmentally. 

Both biological factors and environmental situations impact an individual’s development, affecting individual differences in development. 

Development Depends on Maturation and Learning

Maturation refers to the sequential characteristics of biological growth and development. Biological changes occur in a sequential order and give children new abilities. 

Changes in the brain and nervous system account largely for maturation. 

The child’s environment and learning that occurs in the child’s experiences largely determine whether the child will reach optimal development. An enriched environment and varied experiences help the child to develop his/her potential.

Development is Predictable

Human development is predictable throughout the lifespan. Although it is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, it takes place in a pre-defined manner. 

Specific areas of development, such as motor development, emotional behaviour, speech, social behaviour, concept development, goals, intellectual development, etc., follow predictable patterns. 

For example, the growth of the child in height and weight continues up to a certain age. In general, it has also been found that all children follow a typical pattern in their development periods. 

All children generally grow up following Psychology as a Social Science is the work of an individual living in a society, and different social processes influence the individual’s attitudes during prenatal and postnatal periods. The postnatal period includes infancy, babyhood, childhood, and puberty.

Early Development is More Critical Than Later Development

Milton writes Childhood shows the man, as morning shows the day. Similarly, Erikson views “Childhood” as the scene of man’s beginning as a man. 

He explains that if his parents gratify him for food, attention, love, etc., his perception of people and situations remains positive. 

He develops positive attitudes, feels secure and emotionally stable, and adjusts well to the environment. If negative experiences occur during early life, maladjustments may occur. 

Glueck concludes that delinquents can be identified as early as 2-3 years of age. Different researchers view the preschool years as important years of development, as the basic foundation is laid down during this period, which is difficult to change.  

Development Involves Social Expectations

Specific rules, standards, and traditions that everyone is expected to follow. Development is determined by social norms and the expectations of individuals’ behaviours.

Children learn customs, traditions, and values and what behaviours are expected of them. They realise this from the approval or disapproval of their behaviour. Social expectations are otherwise known as developmental tasks. Developmental tasks arise mainly.

Development Has Potential Hazards

Development may be hampered by various hazards. Cards may be of physical, environmental, or psychological type. 

These hazards may originate from the environment in which the child grows or from hereditary factors. ey harm to the child’s physical and socio-psychological development. 

For example, if a child is slurring or stammering and parents neglect the child, the child may continue with this problem.

It varies during different periods of development

Happiness varies at different periods in the development process. Childhood is the happiest period of life, and puberty is the most unhappy. 

The patterns of happiness vary from child to child and are influenced by the child’s rearing process.   

Baltes stated six principles for developing the life span approach, which are mentioned below.

1) Development is a lifelong process that continues throughout life. It begins at birth and ends in the death of an individual. 

2) Development includes both gain and loss during the life span. The child may develop in one area and lose in another. 

3) Development is influenced by biological factors and environmental situations- Human development is influenced by 

biological and environmental factors. For example, the strength of a child develops in the early period but may deteriorate during old age.

4) Development involves changing the allocation of resources; resources such as time, money, social support, etc., are used differently. For example, old people require more money to maintain their health. 

5) Development can be modified. This principle reveals that through proper training, development can be modified. For example, an individual can maintain health by doing different exercises, even in old age. 

6) Development is based upon the historical and cultural environment, and knowledge about society’s traditions, rules, and regulations is acquired according to the historical and cultural environment.

FAQ’S

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Conclusion