© San Mateo Municipal College All Rights Reserved

Module 8
Childhood to
Adulthood

PSY04
DEVELOPMENTAL
PSYCHOLOGY

I. MODULE OVERVIEW
This module presents the distinct characteristics of the
periods of childhood up to adulthood. We will also discuss
the different developmental changes that each stages
undergoes in terms of cognitive, physical, social, emotional,
psychological and moral aspect.

COLLEGE OF ARTS II. MODULE SCHEDULE

AND SCIENCES 3 Units Course
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN Synchronous Meeting : 1. 5 hours per week
PSYCHOLOGY Asynchronous Meeting : 1.5 hours per week

Date: December 5-10, 2022

III. LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of the module, you are expected to:

1. define the stages of childhood, puberty, adolescence and

adulthood.
2. explain the characteristics of early childhood, late
childhood, puberty, adolescence, early adulthood, middle
adulthood and late adulthood or old age;
3. describe the physical, cognitive, emotional, social, moral
and psychological aspect of developmental changes
during each period.

MARICEL L. ABAYA, LPT, RGC

abayamaricel@gmail.com
09569917040
Part-time Instructor
San Mateo Municipal College
Gen. Luna St. Guitnang Bayan I, San Mateo, Rizal
Tel. No. (02) 997-9070 No part of this module may be reproduced or used in any manner without
www.smmc.edu.ph written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a
review.

San Mateo Municipal College DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Bachelor of Science in Psychology Maricel L. Abaya, LPT, RGC
 © San Mateo Municipal College All Rights Reserved

IV. INPUT INFORMATION

I. EARLY CHILDHOOD

A child is most often defined as a young human being between birth and puberty; a boy or girl. The legal definition
of “child” generally refers to a minor, otherwise known as a person younger than the age of majority.

Early Childhood is a time of tremendous growth across all areas of development. The dependent newborn grows
into a young person who can take care of his or her own body and interact effectively with others. For these reasons, the
primary developmental task of this stage is skill development.

Physically, between birth and age three a child typically doubles in height and quadruples in weight. Bodily
proportions also shift, so that the infant whose head accounts for almost one-fourth of total body lenghts, becomes a
toddler with a more balanced, adult-like appearance. Despite these rapid physical changes, the typical three-year-old has
mastered many skills including sitting, walking, toilet training, using a spoon, scribbling, and sufficient hand -eye
coordination to catch and throw a ball.

Physical changes in early childhood are accompanied by rapid changes in the child’s cognitive and language
development. Over the first three years of life, children develop a spoken vocabulary of between 300 and 1,00 words, and
they are able to use language to learn about and describe the world around them. By age 5, a child’s vocabulary will grow
to approximately 1,500 words. Five years old are also able to produce five to seven word sentences, learn to use the past
tense, and tell familiar stories using pictures as cues. Language is a powerful tool to enhance cognitive development.
Using language allows the child to communicate with others and solve problems.

From age 3 to 5, growth in socio emotional skills includes the formation of peer relationships, gender identification,
and the development of right and wrong. Taking the perspective of another individual is difficult for young children, and
events are often interpreted in all-or-nothing terms, with the impact on the child being the fore-most concern. For example,
at age 5 a child may expect others to share their possessions freely but still be extremely possessive of a favorite toy.
Social comparison is heightened at this time, and taking other people’s perspective begins to play a role in how children
relate to people, including peers

CHARACTERISTICS OF EARLY CHILDHOOD

Names used by Parents

1. It is a problem or a troublesome age.
2. It is a toy age.
Names used by Educators
1. It is the preschool age.
Names used by Psychologists
1. It is the pre-gang age.
2. It is an exploratory age.
3. It is often referred as the questioning age.
4. It is an imitative age.
5. It is the creative age
II. LATE CHILDHOOD

Late childhood extends from the age of six years to the time the individual becomes sexually mature. At both
its beginning and end, late childhood is marked by conditions that profoundly affect a child’s personal and social
adjustments

Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory labeled this period of life the latency stage, a time when sexual and
aggressive urges are repressed. Freud suggested that no significant contributions to personality development were
made during this period.

However, more recent theorists have recognized the importance of late childhood for the development of
cognitive skills, personality, motivation, and interpersonal relationships. During late childhood children learn the
values of their societies. Thus, the primary developmental task of late childhood could be called integration, both
in terms of development within the individual and of the individual within the social context.

San Mateo Municipal College DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Bachelor of Science in Psychology Maricel L. Abaya, LPT, RGC
© San Mateo Municipal College All Rights Reserved

Physical development during late childhood is less dramatic than in early childhood or adolescence. Growth
is slow and steady until the onset of puberty, when individuals begin to develop at a much quicker pace.

The cognitive development of late childhood is also slow and steady as with physical development. Children
in this stage are building upon skills gained in early childhood and preparing for the next phase of their cognitive
development. Children’s reasoning is very rule based. Children are learning skills such as classification and forming
hypotheses. While they are cognitively more mature now than a few years ago, children in this stage still require
concrete, hands-on learning activities. Late childhood is a time when children can gain enthusiasm for learning and
work, for achievement can become a motivating factor as children work toward building competence and self-esteem.
Late childhood is also a time when children develop competence in interpersonal and social relationships.
Children have a growing peer orientation, yet they are strongly influenced by their family. The social skills learned
through peer and family relationships, and children’s increasing ability to participate in meaningful interpersonal
communication, provide a necessary foundation for the challenges of adolescence. Best friends are important at this
age, and the skills gained in these relationships may provide the building blocks for healthy adult relationships.

CHARACTERISTICS OF LATE CHILDHOOD

Names used by Parents

1. It is the troublesome age.
2. It is a sloppy age.
3. It is a quarrelsome age.
Names used by Educators
1. It is the elementary school age.
2. It is the critical period in the achievement drive.
Names used by Psychologists
1. It is a gang age.
2. It is the age of conformity
3. It is a creative age.
4. It is a play age.

III. PUBERTY

Puberty - is the time in life when a person becomes sexually mature. It is a physical change that usually
happens between ages 10-14 for girls and ages 12 and 16 for boys.

The word puberty is derived from the Latin word pubertas, which means “age of manhood”. It refers to the
physical rather than the behavioral changes which occur when the individual becomes sexually mature and is capable
of producing offspring.

Puberty starts when a part of the brain called the hypothalamus begins releasing a hormone called
gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). GnHR then signals the pituitary gland to release two more hormones -
luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) - to start sexual development.

Puberty affects boys and girls differently.

In females:
➢ The first sign of puberty is usually breasts development.
➢ Other signs are the growth of hair in the pubic area and armpits, and acne.
➢ Menstruation (or a period) usually happens last.
In males:
➢ Puberty usually begins with the testicles and penis getting bigger.
➢ Then hair grows in the pubic area and armpits.
➢ Muscles grow, the voice deepens, and acne and facial hair develop as puberty continues.

San Mateo Municipal College DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Bachelor of Science in Psychology Maricel L. Abaya, LPT, RGC
© San Mateo Municipal College All Rights Reserved
CHARACTERISTICS OF PUBERTY

1. It is an overlapping period.
2. It is a short period.
3. It is divided into stages: prepubescent, pubescent and postpubescent.
4. It is a negative phase.
5. It occurs at a variable age.
III. ADOLESCENCE

Adolescence - is the life stage that bridges childhood and adulthood. In general, it represents the second
decade of life. Many psychologists have begun to separate this life stage into several, including early adolescence
(10-13), traditional or mid-adolescence (14-18) and late adolescence (19-23).

The term adolescence comes from the Latin word adolescere, meaning “to grow” or “to grow to maturity”.
Today, the term adolescence has a broader meaning. It includes mental, emotional, and social maturity as well as
physcial maturity.

The development of adolescents is characterized by continuity and discontinuity.

Physically, adolescents are still influenced by their inherited genes, but now the inheritance interacts with new
social conditions with family, peers, school, dating, and friendships. Socially, an adolescent has already spent years
interacting with parents, friends and teachers. Now, though, new experiences arise and relationships take on a
different form, especially concerning dating and intimacy. And lastly, the cognitive development of adolescents involve
thought processes that are more abstract and idealistic.

Physical Development

⚫ Puberty and Sexual Development

Puberty is a period of rapid skeletal and sexual maturation. It is not a single, sudden event, but
rather it is a gradual process. It is hard to pinpoint the beginning and end of puberty, however, menarche
(first menstruation) for girls, or the first few whiskers for boys can mark its appearance. Testosterone (males)
and estradiol (females) play important roles in pubertal development. Growth spurts that accompany puberty
occur at the average age of 12.5 years for boys and 10.5 years for girls.

Cognitive Development

⚫ Formal Operational Thought

Jean Piaget, a famous Swiss psychologist and theorist, placed adolescents in a cognitive stage he
called formal operational thought. In between ages 11 and 15 Piaget believe that thought became more
abstract than a child, more idealistic, and more logical.

Social Cognition

Adolescents begin to develop a type of egocentrism characterized by two parts: an imaginary

audience and a personal fable. An imaginary audience is the youth’s belief that others are as preoccupi ed with
them as they are. The personal fable is characterized by the thought, “That would never happen to me.”
Adolescents have a sense of personal uniqueness that leads them to believe no one can really understand them.

Schooling
The transition to middle or junior high school is stressful time characterized by the top-dog
phenomenon. Adolescent move from the top position in elementary school to the lowest position in middle or
junior high school. They are the youngest, smallest and least powerful in their new school.
Drooping out of high school has been a serious problem for decades. Causes of dropping out include
school related problems such as liking school, and being expelled or suspended. There are also economic
reasons, and personal reasons such as pregnancy or marriage.

San Mateo Municipal College DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Bachelor of Science in Psychology Maricel L. Abaya, LPT, RGC
© San Mateo Municipal College All Rights Reserved

Social Development
⚫ Families
Within the family there is a greater transfer of control from the parents to the adolescent, but there
is still the boundary of co regulation. Adolescents begin to push for autonomy and responsibility which can
puzzle and anger parents, and often causes some conflict. This push for autonomy by the adolescent is a
process, though, and they continue to keep some strong attachments to their parents. The best change then, is
a gradual one wherein the parental relinquishes control step by step, and retains a secure attachment or
connectedness to the teen, which will promote more competent relationships for the adolescent later in life.
Some adolescents experience the marital separation of their parents. This raises a number of other
developmental challenges.

⚫ Peers
Teens spend much more time with their peers during adolescence, with popularity being a strong
motivation for many of them. Peer pressure is strong during this age, cliques become visible, groups
and crowds become more heterogenous and heterosexual, and dating, becomes more important. Youth
organizations can have an important influence on adolescents.

⚫ Identity
Erik Erikson’s stage of “identity vs. role confusion” is the fifth of his eights developmental stage
in his life cycle theory. During adolescence, world views become important and the individual enters what
is called a “psychological moratorium”. This refers to a period of exploring different roles, values and skills.
As part of identity formation, adolescents often affiliate with different groups. It is a time between
childhood security and the responsibilities of adulthood.
Canadian psychologist James Marcia has proposed four stages of identity development: identity
diffusion, identity foreclosure, identity moratorium and identity achievement. Overall, researchers say that
this development of identity happens during the latter half of adolescence.

⚫ Spirituality and Religion

Teens show more of an interest in religion during adolescence, and religious institutions are
often designed to introduce them to religion. Adolescence can be an important time for religious development,
and Piaget’s ‘theory provides a cognitive basis for their understanding of religion (abstract thought).

⚫ Problems and Disorders

Drugs and Alcohol Abuse

Drugs used includes marijuana, stimulants, LSD, inhalants and cocaine, but by far alcohol is the most
commonly abused drug.

Juvenile Delinquency
Juvenile delinquency refers to a variety of behaviors, ranging from socially unacceptable behavior
(such as acting out in the school) to status offenses (such as running away) to criminal acts (such as burglary). For
some these criminal behaviors become acts of violence.

Adolescent Pregnancy
1 of every 10 adolescent females become pregnant each year, consequences include the
increased possibility of health risks, and the mother usually drops ot of school, fails to gain employment,
and become dependent on welfare.

Depression and Suicide

Suicide is a growing problem. The rate has tripled in the past 30 years. Suicide accounts for about
12% of deaths among adolescents and young adults. Worse, for every successful suicide, 6 to 10 attempts
are made.
Factors that can trigger suicide include high stress, loss of a boyfriend or girlfriend, poor grades,
an unwanted pregnancy, or earlier experiences such as family instability and unhappiness.

Eating Disorders
Two types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Anorexia nervosa is an eating
disorder that involves the relentless pursuit of thinness through starvation. Bulimia involves a binge-and-
purge sequences in a regular basis. These are primarily female disorders caused by societal,
psychological, and physiological factors.

San Mateo Municipal College DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Bachelor of Science in Psychology Maricel L. Abaya, LPT, RGC
 © San Mateo Municipal College All Rights Reserved

CHARACTERISTICS OF ADOLESCENCE

1. It is an important period.
2. It is a transitional period.
3. It is a period of change.
4. It is a problem age.
5. It is a time of search for identity.
6. It is a dreaded age.
7. It is a time of unrealism.
8. It is a threshold of adulthood.

IV. EARLY ADULTHOOD

The term adult comes from the same Latin verb as the term adolescence - adolescere- which means “to grow
to maturity”. However, the word adult is derived from the past participate of that verb - adultus - which means “grow
to full size and strength” or “matured”. Adults are, therefore, individuals who have completed their growth and are
ready to assume their status in society along with other adults.

Early Adulthood extends from age eighteen to approximately age forty, when the physical and psychological
changes which accompany the beginning of the loss of reproductive capacity appear.

It is the time when most of us finish school, find a career we enjoy, and create a family of our own. Physically,
it is a time where we are our healthiest and will reach our peak performance. Cognitively, it is a time to grow up and
make life decisions. Socioemotionally, it is a time to take on roles of independence, lifestyles, marriage, and family.

CHARACTERISTICS OF EARLY ADULTHOOD

1. It is the settling-down age.

2. It is the reproductive age.
3. It is a problem age.
4. It is a period of emotional tension.
5. It is a period of social isolation.
6. It is a time of commitments.
7. It is a time of value change.
8. It is the time of adjustment to new lifestyle.
9. It is often a period of dependency
10. It is a creative age.

According to Erik Erikson’s eight stages of development, this is a time of intimacy vs. Isolation. One either gets
involved in an intimate relationship or isolates oneself. According to the literature, any areas of development are
paramount during early adulthood. Some of these include:
⚫ Cognitive changes and transitions
⚫ Changing bodies: health, nutrition, and exercise
⚫ Sexuality and Aids
⚫ Substance use and abuse
⚫ Mentoring and career development
⚫ Friendship
⚫ Gender issues
⚫ Love and intimate interactions

San Mateo Municipal College DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Bachelor of Science in Psychology Maricel L. Abaya, LPT, RGC
© San Mateo Municipal College All Rights Reserved

IV. MIDDLE ADULTHOOD

Middle age is a non-specific stage in life when a person is neither young young nor old, but somewhere in
between. Generally, this is seen to be the period of life in which a person is expected to have settled down in terms
of their sense of identity and place in the world, raising a family and have established career stability. It is also a period
often associated with the potential onset of midlife crisis. Most women go through the menopause during middle age.

Middle Adulthood or middle age, begins at forty and extends to age sixty, when both physical and
psychological decline become apparent in the average person.

Physical Development
One of the major aspects of middle adulthood is the physical and biological changes that occur in the
body. Two of the most noticeable changes are hearing and seeing. Each of these begins to decline in the middle
years. One of the physical changes that occur is in height. Most individuals get a little shorter through the years. Also,
hair is graying, skin is wrinkling, bodies are sagging, and teeth are yellowing. Some adults strive to make themselves
look younger by having plastic surgery, dying their hair, wearing wigs, joining exercise program, or taking heavy
vitamin dose.
While the adult years are generally a time of vitality and good health, there are health concerns. The
main health problems of middle adulthood are cardiovascular disease, cancer, and menopause. Another major
problem that affects health and behavior is stress. Overall, this is a time of major change and development physically
and mentally.

Career and Finances

During the middle adult years there is a noticeable change in how adults view their careers, By t his time
most individuals have settles into their careers and between the age of 40-45 have ceased to advance up the
career ladder. In general, job satisfaction and commitment tend to be high and continue to increase into our sixties.
It also at this time that adults adjust their idealistic hopes to realistic possibilities. This adjustment to
attainable goals is dependent on how much time is left before retirement, with retirement planning being a major
are of financial concern. This reassessment may lead to stress and sadness over unaccomplished goals, which
for a small few may lead to a midlife career change.

Marriage and Family

Many marriages either improve or deteriorate during middle age. If a couple forms a relationship
appropriate to this new period of life, their marriage will likely grow stronger. But if they cannot adapt to the new
conditions of their lives, their marriage may develop problems. Regardless, intimacy, marriage, and family
concerns are a priority during middle adulthood. Some specific issues include the empty nest syndrome, late
parenting, divorce, sexuality, remarriage, and grandparenting.

Leisure
Leisure holds an important place in helping adults to deal with life experiences. Not only does leisure
enhance ones’s well-being it is also a buffer to the stresses of life.
CHARACTERISTICS OF MIDDLE ADULTHOOD
1. It is a dreaded period.
2. It is a time of transition.
3. It is a time of stress.
4. It is a dangerous age.
5. It is an awkward age.
6. It is a time of achievement.
7. It is a time of evaluation.
8. It is evaluated by a double standard.
9. It is the time of empty nest.
10. It is a time of boredom.

San Mateo Municipal College DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Bachelor of Science in Psychology Maricel L. Abaya, LPT, RGC
 © San Mateo Municipal College All Rights Reserved

IV. LATE ADULTHOOD/SENESCENCE/OLD AGE

Late Adulthood - is the term coined by the developmental psychologists describing the period in an
individual’s life beginning at age sixty or seventy and ending at death. This life period, like any other, is one of continuing
change and adjustment both in the physical and the psychological aspect.

Old age is the closing period in the lifespan. It is a period when when people “move away” from previous,
more desirable periods- or times of “usefulness”. As people move away from the earlier periods of their lives, they often
look back on them, usually regretfully, and tend to live in the present, ignoring the future as much as possible.
With the introduction of improved medicines, lifesaving operations, better nutrition, and the ever-increasing
propensity to exercise, the oldest segment of our population is living longer and, in many instances, enjoying the extension
of life.
The elderly filled many roles, including caregiver for extended family members, laborer, and a source of
precious knowledge and experience. The elderly nearly always live with their children and grandchildren. The bond between
generations was recognized as crucial for the unification of the family and the well-being of the grandchildren. More than
that. There was an unspoken commitment on the part of the children to watch over and protect their aging parents that
reinforced the communal living.
Late adulthood is a time of relinquishing some roles and adopting new ones. Many seek full retirement;
others shift their work roles to accommodate their changing ideas and schedules. Some become caregivers to ill spouses
or aging family members. Some may lose their role as spouse, and some begin dating again. For many, being a grandparent
is a new and challenging role. Regardless of the life changes, late adulthood is a time of continued development and
enjoyment.

Physical and Psychological Changes in the Late Adulthood

This period is marked by the process of growing old, resulting in part from the failure of the body cells to function
normally or to produce new cells to replace those that are dead or malfunctioning. This in turn results in significant physical,
psychological, and cognitive changes, like cardio-vascular, digestive malfunctioning, depression, impaired memory functioning,
and so on.

Physical Changes in Late Adulthood

The physical changes that occur in the bodies of the individuals, in their late adulthood can be divided into two
main categories.

External Changes

These changes are the outward signs of aging, and are quiet obvious to notice. They consist of changes in hair, skin,
posture, etc. Most people’s hair becomes distinctly gray and eventually turns white, and it may also thin out. The skin becomes
less elastic, more wrinkled, dry, and thin. Wrinkles are formed partly because of loss of fatty tissue under the skin.

Internal Changes
As the outward physical signs of aging become increasingly apparent significant changes occur in the internal
functioning of the organ systems. Though mood disorders are seemed more commonly, it could also be partially due to changes
in posture. The blood vessels become less elastic and some become clogged resulting in fewer capillaries, delivering blood to
the entire body. Due to hardening and shrinking of blood vessels in the body the heart is forced to work harder, and it is typically
unable to compensate fully.

Psychological Changes

With the advancing age, along with several physical changes there are also certain psychological changes occuring, in
the older people. As the old people become more depressed, their perceived health decreases, their ability to function and
sense of mastery, and sense of contentment diminishes.

Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are significant conditions in the elderly population. The anxiety disorders most prevalent in old people
include panic disorder, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There are several
other psychological challenges faced by the older people, which include mood disorders, schizophrenia and the like.

San Mateo Municipal College DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Bachelor of Science in Psychology Maricel L. Abaya, LPT, RGC
 © San Mateo Municipal College All Rights Reserved

Dementia
Dementia is a broad category covering several diseases, each of which includes serious memory loss accompanied by
reduction in other mental functions.

CHARACTERISTICS OF LATE ADULTHOOD/OLD AGE

1. It is a period of decline.
2. There are individual differences in the effects of aging
3. Old age is judged by different criteria.
4. There are many stereotypes of old people.
5. The elderly has a minority-group status.
6. Aging requires role changes.
7. Poor adjustment is a characteristic of old age.
8. The desire for rejuvenation is widespread on old age.
9. Social attitudes toward old age.

San Mateo Municipal College DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Bachelor of Science in Psychology Maricel L. Abaya, LPT, RGC
© San Mateo Municipal College All Rights Reserved

San Mateo Municipal College DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Bachelor of Science in Psychology Maricel L. Abaya, LPT, RGC
© San Mateo Municipal College All Rights Reserved

San Mateo Municipal College DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Bachelor of Science in Psychology Maricel L. Abaya, LPT, RGC
© San Mateo Municipal College All Rights Reserved

San Mateo Municipal College DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Bachelor of Science in Psychology Maricel L. Abaya, LPT, RGC
 © San Mateo Municipal College All Rights Reserved

V. LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Instructions: Do the following activity using microsoft word format and submit it to our google classroom.

Among the stages of development discussed in this module, which stage can you mostly relate
with? Explain you answer.

VI. ASSESSMENT/ EVALUATION

Online quiz will be given during asynchronous learning session.

VII. ASSIGNMENT
Instructions: Do the activity using microsoft word format and submit it to our google classroom.

Answer the following questions:

1. What are the implications of childhood experiences in adulthood?

2. Discuss the significance of experiences in puberty stage to growth and development.
3. Explain health and vitality among adult people.

VIII. LEARNING RESOURCES

Textbooks:
Gines, Adelaida G., et.al. (2004). Developmental Psychology. Quezon City,
Philippines: Rex Printing Company Inc.
Hurlock, Elizabeth, B. (1982). Developmental Psychology: A Lifespan Approach (5 th
ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc.
Papalia, Diane E. and Feldman, Ruth Duskin (2012). Experience Human Development.
New York: McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.
Rodriguez, Tessie J. (2009). Understanding HUman Behavior. Manila, Philippines: Rex Bookstore, Inc.
Online Resources:
https://www.pdfdrive.com/search?q=developmental%20psychology&pagecount=&pub
year=&searchin=&page=4

San Mateo Municipal College DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Bachelor of Science in Psychology Maricel L. Abaya, LPT, RGC
© San Mateo Municipal College All Rights Reserved

San Mateo Municipal College DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Bachelor of Science in Psychology Maricel L. Abaya, LPT, RGC
© San Mateo Municipal College All Rights Reserved

San Mateo Municipal College DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Bachelor of Science in Psychology Maricel L. Abaya, LPT, RGC