Developmental psychology is the scientific study of the behavioral, cognitive, and personality changes that occur throughout the life cycles of organisms. It aims to understand how individuals grow, change, and adapt over time.

Here, first, by scientific study, we mean the use of objective and systematic methods for observing, recording, and reporting events. Casual observations and reporting without careful records are unacceptable. Instead, researchers rely on empirical evidence and standardized methodologies to ensure accuracy and reliability.

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Second, developmental psychologists are interested in both behavior and cognition. Here the term behavior is any activity that can be observed, recorded, and measured. Movements like twitches, squirms, or pulses in organs and glands are also considered behaviors.

However, cognition and personality refer to processes that are largely mental.

Cognitive processes involve sensing, feeling, perceiving, thinking, problem-solving, and dreaming.

Personality is the unique pattern of behavioral and mental processes that characterizes an individual and the individual's interactions with the environment, such as being honest, which characterizes the way an individual reacts and relates to others. These processes may be conscious or unconscious, but in either case, they cannot be measured directly.

Another term in our definition is organism. Although we are primarily interested in the development of human beings, the study of other animals makes an invaluable contribution to our general understanding of life.


Readings:
Feldman, R. S. (2021). Understanding psychology (14th ed.). McGraw Hill.
Sarafino, E. P., & Armstrong, J. W. (1986). Child and adolescent development. Wadsworth Publishing.