Domains of Human Development
Zikria S. Mohammed
Oakton Community College

Development is a critical part of our life. Many of us grow but do not develop. Definition of development sates that it is a pattern of change that begins at conception and continues throughout the lifespan. Development as a whole is divided into four ages. First age: childhood and adolescence, second stage: prime adulthood age 20-59, third stage: 60-79 years old age, fourth stage: 80 years and older (Santrock, 2013). All of the four periods of development are connected to each other.
Development is life-long process and it does not end at early adulthood; rather continues throughout one’s life. Development is multidimensional. Regardless of what ones age might be their body, mind, emotions and relationships are changing and affecting each other (Santrock, 2013). Development is multidirectional and throughout life some dimensions or components of a dimension expand while others shrink in response. For instance, when the language of English is acquired in early development, the capacity for acquiring second and a third language decreases later in development (Santrock, 2013). Development is plastic and changes occur throughout our life. As individuals we possess more capacity to change when we are young as opposed to when we are old (Santrock, 2013). Development is contextual and all of the development occurs in a context or setting. This includes families, school, peer groups, churches, cities, neighborhoods, state and countries. As a result, individuals change begins in a changing world (Santrock, 2013). Developmental science is multidisciplinary which mean that all psychologists, sociologists, anthropologists, neuroscientists and medical researchers share an interest in unlocking the mysteries of development through life span.
The life span is divided into several periods of