The document discusses the differences between growth and development. Growth refers to a physical increase in size or amount through biological processes like gaining weight or height from birth to adulthood. Development refers to progressive changes in size, shape, and function that allow genetic potential to be realized, including increases in organ function. While growth is a physiological change, development involves psychological changes in functions and activities. Growth is external and measurable, while development is internal and involves changes in character and behavior that continue into old age. Both growth and development are interrelated and influence each other.

1. Difference betweenDifference between
Growth and developmentGrowth and development

2. What is growth?What is growth?
 The Encyclopedia Britannica defines “growth” as an increaseThe Encyclopedia Britannica defines “growth” as an increase
in the size or the amount of an entity. The word growth is usedin the size or the amount of an entity. The word growth is used
for all those structural and physiological changes that takefor all those structural and physiological changes that take
place within individual during the process of maturation.place within individual during the process of maturation.
 For example, the increase in weight, height, and differentFor example, the increase in weight, height, and different
organs is called growth. It is a biological process andorgans is called growth. It is a biological process and
continues for birth to adulthood.continues for birth to adulthood.
 From the very beginning, a child needs food. When he eatsFrom the very beginning, a child needs food. When he eats
food, it becomes a part of his body. During this time new cellsfood, it becomes a part of his body. During this time new cells
are produced which results in physical increase. This physicalare produced which results in physical increase. This physical
increase is called growth.increase is called growth.

3. What is development?What is development?
 The Encyclopaedia Britannica defined theThe Encyclopaedia Britannica defined the
word ‘development’ as the progressive changeword ‘development’ as the progressive change
in size, shape, and function during the life ofin size, shape, and function during the life of
an organism by which its genetic potentialan organism by which its genetic potential
(genotype) are translated into functioning adult(genotype) are translated into functioning adult
systems (phnotype). This means thatsystems (phnotype). This means that
development includes the increase not only indevelopment includes the increase not only in
the size but also in the function of an organ.the size but also in the function of an organ.

4. What is development?What is development?
 Thus ‘development’ is the name of all thoseThus ‘development’ is the name of all those
psychological changes that take place in thepsychological changes that take place in the
functions and activities of different organs offunctions and activities of different organs of
an individual. For example, when the musclesan individual. For example, when the muscles
of legs become strong, a child begins to creep,of legs become strong, a child begins to creep,
then stand, and then starts walking. So, thisthen stand, and then starts walking. So, this
creeping, standing and walking are calledcreeping, standing and walking are called
development.development.

5. Difference between Growth andDifference between Growth and
developmentdevelopment
 Most people use the word ‘growth’ andMost people use the word ‘growth’ and
‘development’ in the same meanings. But‘development’ in the same meanings. But
there is difference between these two terms.there is difference between these two terms.
The first term, i.e ‘growth’ means the changeThe first term, i.e ‘growth’ means the change
in the physical or physiological structure. Thein the physical or physiological structure. The
second term, i.e ‘development’ is the changesecond term, i.e ‘development’ is the change
in the function and activities of differentin the function and activities of different
organs. This shows that ‘growth’ is aorgans. This shows that ‘growth’ is a
physiological change whereas development isphysiological change whereas development is
a psychological change.a psychological change.

6. Difference between Growth andDifference between Growth and
developmentdevelopment
 Similarly, we can say that growth is external inSimilarly, we can say that growth is external in
nature and can be directly measured becausenature and can be directly measured because
its chief concern is with physical aspect of anits chief concern is with physical aspect of an
individual. Growth stops at a particular stage.individual. Growth stops at a particular stage.
But, development is internal in nature. It canBut, development is internal in nature. It can
not be measured directly. It can only be felt. Itnot be measured directly. It can only be felt. It
chief concern is not only with increase in thechief concern is not only with increase in the
size of the brain but thinking process also.size of the brain but thinking process also.

7. Difference between Growth andDifference between Growth and
developmentdevelopment
 Moreover, growth is generally taken to beMoreover, growth is generally taken to be
quantitative in nature whereas development ofquantitative in nature whereas development of
‘intelligence’ and emotions’. Development‘intelligence’ and emotions’. Development
goes on into senility but growth stops atgoes on into senility but growth stops at
maturity. Development indicates the changesmaturity. Development indicates the changes
in the character or behavior morein the character or behavior more

8. Difference between Growth andDifference between Growth and
developmentdevelopment
 Growth and development are interrelated andGrowth and development are interrelated and
inter dependant. Both influence each other.inter dependant. Both influence each other.
When growth stops because of illness, or thereWhen growth stops because of illness, or there
is a premature stoppages of growth,is a premature stoppages of growth,
development is equally affected.development is equally affected.

9. There are four aspects ofThere are four aspects of
developmentdevelopment
 Cognitive developmentCognitive development
 Social developmentSocial development
 Emotional developmentEmotional development
 Physical developmentPhysical development

10. Cognitive developmentCognitive development
 Its referents to activities that involves thinking,Its referents to activities that involves thinking,
perceiving and problem solving. Its also calledperceiving and problem solving. Its also called
intellectual development Perception throughintellectual development Perception through
sensessenses

11. Social developmentSocial development
 It refers to behaviour that involvesIt refers to behaviour that involves
relation/interaction with others.It refers to therelation/interaction with others.It refers to the
behaviour that how you behave in certainbehaviour that how you behave in certain
circumstances.circumstances.

12. Emotional developmentEmotional development
 It refers to feelings and attitutdes.It refers to feelings and attitutdes.

13. Physical developmentPhysical development
 An organised increase in volume. PhysicallyAn organised increase in volume. Physically
growth but in organized form is calledgrowth but in organized form is called
physically development. Organize growth isphysically development. Organize growth is
called development.called development.