Question

Which one of the following statements is true about the concept of development?
1. Development is a discrete process.
2. Development is a uni-dimensional process.
3. Development stands for growth with a change.
4. Meaning of development remains the same in time and space.

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : Development stands for growth with a change.

Characteristics of Development: 

• Development is Lifelong: This belief has two separate aspects. First, the potential for development extends across the entire life span: there is no assumption that the life course must reach a plateau or decline during adulthood and old age. Second, development may involve processes that are not present at birth but emerge throughout the life span.
• Development is Multidimensional: Multidimensionality refers to the fact that development cannot be described by a single criterion such as increases or decreases in a behavior. It occurs in the biological, cognitive, and social-emotional domains.
• Development is affected by cultural changes: An individual’s development is moulded to conform to cultural standards and norms, while changes in these standards affect the developmental pattern.
• Development is Contextual: Development varies across the different contexts in which we live our lives. For example, social and rural environments are associated with different sets of factors that have the potential to impact development; understanding how development differs for individuals within these two settings requires an understanding of the differing contexts. It occurs in the context of a person’s biological make-up, the physical environment, and social, historical, and cultural contexts.
• Development is Multidirectional: The principle of multidirectional maintains that there is no single, normal path that development must or should take. In other words, healthy developmental outcomes are achieved in a wide variety of ways. Development is often comprised of multiple abilities that take different directions, showing different types of change or constancy.
• Hence, from the above mentioned characteristics of Development, one could easily conclude that Development stands for growth with a change.