Each person has their own perspective on human development.

Some people believe that personality

and intelligence are mostly inherited, while others think that environment and experiences shape a person
the most. These personal viewpoints form our own “paradigms” (or ways of thinking) about how people
grow and change.

For example, imagine two students, Anna and Mark.

●​ Anna believes that personality is mostly inherited. She thinks that if someone is naturally shy as a
child, they will always be shy. This is her personal paradigm of development.
●​ Mark thinks that personality changes based on life experiences. He believes a shy child can grow
confident if given the right environment and encouragement. This is his own paradigm of
development.

However, personal perspectives may not always be based on scientific research. Scholars, on the other
hand, have developed well-researched models of human development. These models are backed by
studies and theories, allowing us to understand the different factors that influence a person’s growth.

Scholars also take clear positions on major developmental issues, such as:
●​ Nature vs. Nurture – Is development primarily influenced by genetics (nature) or by upbringing
and experiences (nurture)?
●​ Continuity vs. Discontinuity – Does development happen gradually over time, or in distinct
stages?
●​ Stability vs. Change – Do personality traits remain the same throughout life, or do they change as
we grow older?

-​ Do you personally believe people change as they grow, or do they remain the same? Why?
-​ Which do you think has a greater impact on your development—your genes or your environment?

Some parts of who we are come from our parents through genes (nature)—like our eye color, height, and
even some personality traits. Other parts of who we are come from our experiences (nurture)—like the
way we talk, the habits we develop, and the skills we learn.

Scientists and psychologists debate how much of our behavior is born with us (nature) and how much is
shaped by our surroundings (nurture). Some say genes play a bigger role, while others believe our
environment and experiences shape us more.

Let’s say there are two brothers, Jake and Leo.

●​ Jake is naturally good at singing. Even as a child, he could easily hit the right notes without much
practice. This suggests that his musical talent might be inherited (nature).
●​ Leo, on the other hand, wasn’t born with a great voice. But because he practiced every day, took
singing lessons, and watched his brother, he eventually became a great singer. This shows the
impact of learning and experience (nurture).

-​ Do you think you were born with your talents, or did you develop them through practice?
-​ Can a person born shy become confident through experience? Why or why not?
Some scientists believe that our behavior is mostly decided by the traits we are born with. This means
that how we act, think, and feel comes from our biology and genetics—things we inherit from our parents.

For example, some people are naturally more active, emotional, or intelligent because of the way their
brains and bodies are built. This suggests that our behavior is already set by our genes and cannot be
easily changed.
●​ Lisa is naturally energetic and always moving around. Even as a baby, she was active and
curious. This might be because of her biological makeup (nature).
●​ Tom, on the other hand, is naturally quiet and shy. Even without anyone teaching him to be that
way, he prefers to be alone or in small groups. This could also be due to his inherited traits.

-​ Do you think personality is something we are born with, or can it change over time? Why?
-​ Can someone born shy become outgoing, or is it already decided by their genes?

Some scientists believe that all the behaviors we will ever have are already inside us from the moment we
are born. These behaviors don’t all show up immediately—some appear when we are babies, while
others develop as we grow older.

This idea is based on our genes, which act like a blueprint—a plan that decides how we grow and
change. Some behaviors, like crying or sucking, are present at birth, while others, like walking or talking,
appear later because they are pre-programmed to develop at a certain age.

This is called a developmental approach because it focuses on how behavior changes over time as we
grow.

Focusing on Piaget's Theory on Cognitive Development:

Examples:
●​ A newborn baby doesn’t know how to talk or solve problems yet, but the ability to learn language
is already inside them from birth.
●​ At 2 years old, children begin to think in simple ways and learn through their senses (like touching
and tasting).
●​ At 7 years old, they start understanding rules and logic better.
●​ As teenagers, they begin to think in more complex and abstract ways.
●​ Can a newborn baby solve a math problem? Why not?

-​ Do you think all children develop in the same way and at the same age? Why or why not?

Some scientists believe that our behavior is not something we are born with but something we learn from
the world around us. The way we act, think, and feel depends on what we see, hear, experience, and how
people around us influence us.

This reflects the concept of behaviorism, which says that all human behavior is shaped by interactions
with the environment—our family, friends, school, and experiences.

Let’s say there are two children, Mia and Jake.

●​ Mia grows up in a home where everyone speaks politely and solves problems by talking calmly.
Over time, she also learns to be polite and handle problems peacefully.
●​ Jake, on the other hand, grows up in a home where people often argue loudly. Because of this,
he also learns to express himself by raising his voice.
This shows that behavior is shaped by what we see and experience in our environment.

-​ Think about a habit you have—did you learn it from someone around you?
-​ If a child grows up in a kind and respectful environment, do you think they will also be kind and
respectful? Why?

-​ "Lead by example."

Some scientists believe that when we are born, our minds are like an empty container or blank paper—we
don’t have built-in knowledge or behaviors. Instead, everything we know and do is learned from our
experiences and the people around us.

This means that there is no limit to what a person can achieve—as long as they have the right
environment. If a person grows up in a positive and supportive environment, they can develop skills,
talents, and intelligence. But if they grow up in a bad environment, their growth and success may be
affected.

Imagine two children, Sam and Ben.

●​ Sam grows up in a home with books, loving parents, and teachers who encourage him. He learns
to love reading, asks questions, and develops confidence. Because of his supportive
environment, he has the chance to succeed.
●​ Ben, on the other hand, grows up in a place with little support, no books, and no encouragement.
He struggles in school and doesn’t believe he can succeed because no one pushes him to try.

This example shows that the environment plays a huge role in shaping who we become. It’s not about
being born smart or talented—it’s about having the right people and experiences to help us grow.

*I hope you don't surround yourselves with people who don't encourage or inspire you to become a better
version of yourself. "Don't stay too long where you don't belong."

-​ Do you believe people are born smart, or do they become smart through learning and
experience? Why?
-​ Can someone born into a poor environment still become successful? What would they need to
change their situation?

Some scientists believe that behavior is not just about nature (genes) or nurture (environment) alone—it’s
a mix of both. The way a person acts is shaped by their natural characteristics (what they are born with)
and how people around them react to those characteristics.

This means that sometimes, a person’s behavior influences how others treat them. For example, if a baby
is always smiling and happy, people are more likely to play and talk to them. But if a baby cries a lot and
is hard to comfort, people might act differently.

Temperament (Personality as a Baby)

●​ Some babies are naturally calm, while others cry easily and get frustrated quickly.
●​ If a baby is always happy and easy to soothe, parents may respond with more patience and
affection.
●​ If a baby is fussy and hard to comfort, parents might feel stressed and respond differently.
This shows that a baby’s natural temperament (nature) affects how parents treat them (nurture).

Gender and Expectations

●​ People tend to treat boys and girls differently based on what society expects.
●​ A boy who loves dolls might be encouraged to play with cars instead because people expect boys
to like "masculine" toys.
●​ A girl who climbs trees and plays rough might be told to "act like a lady" because people expect
girls to be gentle.

This shows that a child's gender (nature) affects how people interact with them (nurture).

Aggression and Reactions

●​ A child who often gets into fights might get punished more by teachers or avoided by classmates.
●​ A calm and friendly child might attract more friends and positive attention.

This shows that how someone behaves (nature) influences how others respond to them (nurture).

Key Takeaway
●​ Our natural characteristics (like personality, gender, or behavior) can influence how people treat
us.
●​ How people treat us can then shape who we become.
●​ This shows that nature and nurture work together in shaping behavior.

-​ Have you ever noticed that people treat boys and girls differently? Can you give examples?
-​ Do you think babies who are naturally quiet get treated differently than babies who cry a lot?
Why?
-​ If someone is always angry and aggressive, how might others react to them?

These behaviors are influenced by genes, biology, and natural development.

Physiological (Body & Brain Functions)

Some traits, like eye color, height, and natural reflexes, are inherited from parents.
●​ Example: A baby doesn’t need to be taught how to breathe or how their heart should beat—it
happens naturally.

Individual Differences (Personality & Talents)

Some people are naturally more athletic, intelligent, or artistic.
●​ Example: A child may be born with a natural talent for singing, even before any training.

Developmental (Stages of Growth & Maturity)

Everyone goes through predictable stages of development.
●​ Example: A baby will start crawling, then walking, then talking in a natural sequence—these
milestones happen because of biological development.
These behaviors are shaped by our surroundings, experiences, and people around us.

Social (How We Act with Others, Like Helping Behavior)

We learn how to interact with others by watching and experiencing social situations.
●​ Example: A child isn’t born knowing how to share—they learn it when parents or teachers teach
them to be kind.
Behavioral (Habits & Actions We Learn Over Time)
Many of our daily habits and reactions come from what we see and experience.
●​ Example: A child raised in a home where everyone speaks politely is more likely to grow up
speaking politely, too.

-​ Nature influences things we are born with (like physical traits, talents, and stages of
development).
-​ Nurture influences things we learn from the world around us (like social skills, habits, and
behaviors).
-​ Both work together to shape who we become!

Continuity Theory (Slow and Gradual Change)

This theory says that change happens little by little over time, like a smooth path.
●​ Imagine a child learning to talk—first, they babble, then say simple words, then full sentences. It’s
a slow and steady process.

Example of Continuity:
●​ A child slowly becomes more independent over the years—first, they need help eating, then they
learn to use a spoon, and later, they cook meals on their own.
●​ A teenager slowly gains confidence—first, they are shy, then they make a few friends, and over
time, they become comfortable speaking in public.

Discontinuity Theory (Sudden and Big Changes)

This theory says that people change in big, sudden shifts instead of slowly.
●​ Think about a caterpillar turning into a butterfly—it doesn’t gradually grow wings; it transforms
suddenly after being in a cocoon.

Example of Discontinuity:
●​ A child who was quiet and dependent on their parents suddenly becomes very independent after
moving to a new school.
●​ A person who never cared about exercise suddenly becomes a fitness enthusiast after
experiencing a health scare.

-​ Can you think of something you learned gradually over time (continuity)?
-​ Have you ever experienced a sudden, big change in your personality or behavior (discontinuity)?
-​ Do you think most changes in life happen slowly or suddenly? Why?

The two theories, continuity and discontinuity, not only differ on when and how people change but also on
how they think about those changes.

Continuity Theory (Focuses on Quantity and Steady Change)

This theory believes that change is gradual and continuous over time.
It focuses on the quantity of change, meaning that people improve or grow in small, measurable
steps.
 ●​ For example: A student who starts reading at a beginner level and over time increases the
number of books they can read or the complexity of the books. The change is steady and
measurable.

Continuity (Measuring Change Over Time - Quantity)

●​ School grades: A student might start with a C in math but over time works harder, practices, and
consistently earns better grades (B, then A). This change happens in a step-by-step and
measurable way.

Discontinuity Theory (Focuses on Quality and Sudden Change)

This theory believes that change happens in big steps or “leaps.”
It focuses on the quality of change, meaning that people might experience a sudden shift in how
they think, feel, or behave.
●​ For example: A shy person who has always avoided social gatherings suddenly becomes very
outgoing and loves meeting new people after a life-changing event, like making a new close
friend. The change is not gradual, but a complete shift in how they behave and interact with
others.

Discontinuity (Big Changes - Quality)

●​ Personality change: A child who is afraid of trying new things suddenly becomes brave and
adventurous after a big trip or meeting someone who inspires them. This is a sudden and drastic
shift in their behavior or attitude.

-​ Continuity theory looks at how much a person changes over time (quantity) in small, steady
steps.
-​ Discontinuity theory looks at what kind of change happens (quality), often in big jumps or shifts.
-​ Both theories help explain how we grow—some things happen little by little, while other things
change suddenly and dramatically.

-​ Have you experienced a change in your personality or behavior that was sudden and dramatic
(discontinuity)?
-​ Which type of change do you think happens more often in your life—small steps or big shifts?
Why?

Not all psychologists agree on how people develop. While some think development is a gradual and
smooth process, others believe it happens in separate stages, where people experience big changes at
different points in life.

These psychologists who support discontinuous development say that people go through distinct
stages—each stage has different behaviors and abilities. It’s like climbing stairs, where at each step, you
experience a new kind of change or ability.

Think about how a child’s thinking changes:

●​ At one stage (around age 2), a child can only think about what is right in front of them, like a toy
they are holding.
●​ At another stage (around age 5), the child starts thinking about things that aren't present, like
imagining what happens after a story ends.
●​ In another stage (around age 10), the child can think logically and understand abstract ideas, like
how a map shows places that are far away.
Each of these changes is a big jump or shift in how the child thinks, meaning their development isn't
gradual—it happens in separate stages, where they act very differently in each one.

-​ Can you think of something that you could do at one stage of life but couldn’t do at another?
-​ What stage of life do you think you are in right now? What behaviors or skills do you have that are
different from when you were younger?

The stability vs. change debate is one of the fundamental questions in developmental psychology along
with nature vs. nurture.
-​ This idea asks the question: Do the traits or behaviors we have as babies stay the same
throughout our lives, or do they change over time?
●​ For example, if a baby is shy or very energetic, will they always be shy or energetic as they grow
older? Or do their personality traits change as they experience life?

Psychologists debate whether certain traits (like being calm, anxious, or outgoing) are fixed and stay the
same from childhood to adulthood, or if they develop and change based on life experiences and
environmental factors.

●​ (Trait: Shyness) A baby who is shy may be very quiet and hesitant around new people. As they
grow, they might stay shy throughout their life, or they might become more confident as they have
more experiences, like making new friends or going to school.

Some people believe that shyness in infancy stays the same, while others think that with the right
experiences, a shy child can grow into a confident adult.

●​ (Trait: High Energy) A child who is always active, running around and playing non-stop, might
always be energetic and love sports. But it’s also possible that, with age, they become more
focused and calm down, especially if they find something they enjoy like reading or art.

-​ Some believe that being active as a child stays the same, while others think that life experiences
can shape this trait and cause a person to change.
-​ Some psychologists believe that certain traits from infancy remain the same throughout life, while
others think that experiences and surroundings can change those traits.

-​ Were you shy or outgoing as a child? Do you think your personality has changed?
-​ What do you think has influenced that?

The stability-change debate is about whether the personality traits we have when we are born stay the
same throughout our lives, or if they change as we grow older.
●​ For example, think about a baby who is very talkative and loves being around other people (this is
called being extroverted). Will they always be that way, or will they become more quiet or shy as
they get older? This debate asks whether these traits are stable and stay the same, or if they
change over time because of life experiences.

Example of Stability (Trait Stays the Same)

●​ Imagine a baby who is always smiling, curious, and loves being with people. As they grow into a
teenager and then an adult, they continue to be outgoing, sociable, and enjoy meeting new
people. In this case, their extroverted nature would be stable, meaning it stays the same over
time.
Example of Change (Trait Changes Over Time)
●​ Now, think of a different baby who is also talkative and loves to interact with others. But as they
grow, they might go through experiences that make them more reserved or shy. Maybe they had
a difficult experience at school, or their family moved to a new place. Over time, they could
change from being very extroverted to becoming more introverted and quiet. This shows how
personality traits can change as we go through different life experiences.

-​ Stability means that traits we are born with, like being talkative or shy, stay the same throughout
our lives.
-​ Change means that those traits can shift or evolve based on our experiences, like how we are
raised or the people we meet.

-​ Do you think you’ve always been the same personality type (extroverted or introverted)?

Change theorists believe that personality traits can change as a person interacts with different things in
their life, like their family, their experiences at school, and the culture they are part of. They think that life
experiences can play a big role in how we develop and change over time.

For example, a person’s personality might change because of:

●​ Family: How supportive, strict, or loving the family is can shape a child’s behavior and attitudes.
●​ School: Interactions with friends, teachers, and classmates can change how a child feels about
themselves and how they behave.
●​ Acculturation (cultural experiences): A child who moves to a new country might develop a
different personality as they adapt to a new culture, language, and environment.

However, there are also studies that suggest some parts of our personality stay the same, such as how
we feel attached to our parents or our basic personality traits. These studies show that certain things in
life are stable and don’t change much.

But, there is also evidence that shows change is possible and may happen if the right conditions are in
place, like having a good support system or learning new behaviors.

Example of Stability:
●​ A child who is very attached to their parents might continue to feel that strong bond as they grow
older. Even though they might experience new things like school or friendships, that attachment
to their parents could stay the same.

Example of Change:
●​ Imagine a child who is shy and withdrawn in preschool. But as they grow older, they start making
friends, join sports or clubs, and eventually become more outgoing and confident. This change
happened because their experiences at school and with other people helped shape who they
became.

-​ Can you think of a time when you changed because of an experience with your family or school?
-​ Do you think your attachment to your parents will always be strong, or might it change as you
grow? Why?