What are the 5 major principles of human development from a life span perspective?

This article throws light upon the ten important principles of human growth and development. The principles are: 1. Development is Continuous 2. Development is Gradual 3. Development is Sequential 4. Rate of Development Varies Person to Person 5. Development Proceeds from General to Specific 6. Most Traits are Correlated in Development and Others.

Principles of Human Growth and Development:

1. Development is Continuous
2. Development is Gradual
3. Development is Sequential
4. Rate of Development Varies Person to Person
5. Development Proceeds from General to Specific
6. Most Traits are Correlated in Development
7. Growth and Development is a Product of Both Heredity and Environment
8. Development is Predictable
9. Development
10. There is a Constant Interaction Between All Factors of Development

Principle # 1. Development is Continuous:

The process of growth and development continues from the conception till the individual reaches maturity. Development of both physical and mental traits continues gradually until these traits reach their maximum growth. It goes on continuously throughout life. Even after maturity has been attained, development does not end.

Principle # 2. Development is Gradual:

It does not come all on a sudden. It is also cumulative in nature.

Principle # 3. Development is Sequential:

Most psychologists agree that development is sequential or orderly. Every species, whether animal or human, follows a pattern of development peculiar to it. This pattern in general is the same for all individuals. The child crawls before he creeps, stands before he walks and babbles before he talks.

Principle # 4. Rate of Development Varies Person to Person:

Rate of development is not uniform. Individuals differ in the rate of growth and development. Boys and girls have different development rates. Each part of the body has its own particular rate of growth. There are periods of great intensity and equilibrium and there are periods of imbalance.

Principle # 5. Development Proceeds from General to Specific:

Development proceeds from general to specific. In all areas of development, general activity always precedes specific activity. For example, the fetus moves its whole body but is incapable of making specific responses. With respect to emotional behaviour infants approach strange and unusual objects with some sort of general fear response.

Later, their fears become more specific and elicit different kinds of behaviour, such as, crying, turning away and hiding etc.

Generally, it is seen that the child whose mental development is above average, is also superior in so many other aspects like health, sociability and special aptitudes.

Principle # 7. Growth and Development is a Product of Both Heredity and Environment:

Development is influenced by both heredity and environment. Both are responsible for human growth and development.

Principle # 8. Development is Predictable:

The difference in physiological and psychological potentialities can ‘ be predicated by observation and psychological tests.

Principle # 9. Development:

Development brings about both structural and functional changes.

 Principle # 10. There is a Constant Interaction Between All Factors of Development:

Development in one area is highly related to development in other areas. For example, a child who has a good health can be active socially and intellectually.