The Beginning of the Emergence of Developmental Psychology

COURSE : INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY (PSY 150) CREDIT HOURS : 3 CREDITS SEMESTER/SESSION : 2st SEMESTER, 2021/2022 SESSION PREPARED BY : ROBIN ARKIN LECTURE NOTES Figures in Developmental Psychology Developmental psychology is the study of human change and development from birth to death. The history of developmental psychology begins in the 19th century and progresses rapidly along with developments in the science of psychology as a whole. Here are some important figures and events in the history of developmental psychology: 1. Charles Darwin (1809-1882) Darwin is known as the father of evolutionary biology. His concepts of natural selection and adaptation were later applied to the study of human development. Darwin believed that human development involved adaptation to the environment, and that each phase of development had a specific evolutionary purpose. 2. G. Stanley Hall (1844-1924) Hall is known as the father of modern developmental psychology. He founded the American Journal of Psychology and is a co-founder of the American Psychological Association (APA). His major work, "Adolescence", was one of the first books to deal with the period of development called "Adolescence". 3. Jean Piaget (1896-1980) Piaget is known as the father of cognitive theory in developmental psychology. He emphasized the importance of children's thinking in developing an understanding of their world. His theory of the stages of children's cognitive development, from sensorimotor to formal operations, is still widely used today. 4. Lev Vygotsky (1896-1934) Vygotsky was a Russian psychologist who emphasized the important role of social interaction in child development. His theory of the zone of proximal development (ZPD) emphasizes the importance of interaction with adults or more capable peers in accelerating children's cognitive development. 5. Erik Erikson (1902-1994) Erikson developed a psychosocial theory of human development. He emphasized the importance of the developmental crises that individuals must overcome at every stage of their development, from infancy to the end of life. His concepts of self-identity and the crisis of adolescence are still very influential today. 6. Binet-Simon Exam (1905) The Binet-Simon exam was the first early intelligence test developed by Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon in France. Its aim is to help the French government identify children who need special educational assistance. This test was later adapted and applied around the world. 7. John Bowlby (1907-1990) Bowlby is known as the father of bond theory in developmental psychology. His theories about how infants form bonds with their caregivers, and the impact this has on children's social and emotional development, are still very influential today. In the last few decades, developmental psychology has developed rapidly and continues to experience changes that are adapted to current conditions. A Brief History of Developmental Psychology Developmental psychology is a relatively new field of study in psychology. Although humans have investigated human development since ancient times, developmental psychology as a systematic scientific discipline only emerged in the 19th century.The history of developmental psychology began in 1896 when G. Stanley Hall published the first book in this field entitled "Adolescence: Its Psychology and Its Relations to Physiology, Anthropology, Sociology, Sex, Crime, Religion, and Education". This book is a basic foundation for the development of developmental psychology as an independent scientific field. Initially, developmental psychology was heavily influenced by biological and philosophical views, as well as Darwin's concept of evolution. However, over time, developmental psychology has become more focused on psychological factors in human development. One of its biggest contributors was Jean Piaget, a Swiss psychologist who researched children's cognitive development. In the United States, developmental psychology developed rapidly during the 20th century, especially after World War II. In the 1940s and 1950s, developmental psychology began to develop as an independent field of study at colleges and universities throughout the United States. One of the biggest contributors to the development of developmental psychology in the United States is Erik Erikson, a psychoanalyst who developed a theory about human psychosocial development. In the 1960s, developmental psychology underwent significant developments with the development of new theories and more sophisticated research methods. During this decade, developmental psychology began to pay attention to the role of the environment in human development, as well as the relationship between psychological development and social development. Since then, developmental psychology has continued to grow and change. Today, the field is becoming more inclusive, recognizing the role of culture, environment and individual differences in human development. Developmental psychology is still a very important field in understanding how humans grow and develop throughout their lives.