Physical Education · Ch 9 — Psychology and Sports
Developmental Characteristics of Growth and Development
Developmental Characteristics of Growth and Development
To understand how an individual grows and develops, it helps to look at the four main areas of development. The overall development of a person is the result of a constant interaction between these four areas — physical, mental, emotional and social — none of which works in isolation.
Drawn by us to help you understand the concept clearly, and verified to make sure it's accurate. For exams, practice from your textbook's own diagram.
A schematic diagram with 'Growth & Development' in a central circle, encircled by a ring, and four outer circles placed around it: Physical at the top, Mental on the right, Social at the bottom and Emotional on the left. It illustrates how the four areas constantly i …
| S. No. | Areas of Growth and Development | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physical | height and weight |
| 2 | Mental | thinking and understanding |
| 3 | Social | interacting with others |
| 4 | Emotional | feelings and attitudes |
As the figure shows, growth and development arise from the interaction between the physical, mental, emotional and social aspects. Each of the four areas is explained below.
What is physical development?
Physical development covers the many physiological changes that occur from birth until death. It is measured and assessed through factors such as height, weight, strength, flexibility and other motor abilities. Because change in body composition with age influences other areas of development too, and because most physical change is quantifiable in terms of size, shape and weight, there are standard tools to assess it.
What is cognitive (mental) development?
Cognitive — or mental — development is an essential part of a person's growth. It includes abilities such as memory, perception, language, information processing and thinking, which in turn influence decision-making. These abilities keep changing with biological age. There is a general pattern of mental development, but each individual develops in a unique way shaped by genetic factors, social environment and experience. Importantly, these abilities are inter-related and develop as a unit.
What is social development?
Social development refers to the way an individual interacts with society, resulting in development across many aspects of life at different stages. It is also the ability to communicate effectively with others and to observe the social norms of the community appropriate to one's age group.