How do we develop?
Follow biology, experience and relationships across a lifetime.
The picture in words
- Biology
- Bodies and biological processes contribute to development.
- Experience
- Learning and daily activities shape changing abilities.
- Relationships
- Other people form part of the settings in which development happens.
- Across life
- Learning and relationships continue through adulthood and older age.
Reading the illustration
The life scenes show examples of change and continuity. Individual pathways reflect their particular circumstances.
Try a question
What kinds of development might begin with a new job in adulthood?
Show the explanation
A new job can involve learning skills, adapting routines and forming relationships. These changes connect cognitive and social development.
Read the sources
- Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020). Psychology 2e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/9-1-what-is-lifespan-developmentSelected introductory passages inspected
- Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020). Psychology 2e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/3-1-human-geneticsSelected gene-environment interaction passages inspected