Principles of human development (BA II year IV sem developmental psychology)

1. Principles of Human
Development
Dr. Rajesh Verma
Asst. Professor in Psychology
Govt. College Adampur, Hisar, Haryana

2. Introduction
Development is unique psycho-biological
phenomena to every human being in its
manifestation but the process is similar,
organize, sequential and logical which is based
on certain inherent patterns. These pattern are
called as the ‘Principles of Human Development’.
These principles helps us in predicting the
process of development to a certain degree of
accuracy.

3. The development follows three
Universal Biological and 9 General
Principles.
Biological Principles:
1. Cephalocaudal
2. Proximodistal, &
3. Orthogenetic.

4. General Principles:
1. Principle of Continuity,
2. Principle of lack of uniformity in the rate of
development,
3. Principle of individual differences,
4. Principle of uniformity of pattern,
5. Principle of proceeding from general from
specific responses ,
6. Principle of integration,
7. Principle of interrelation,
8. Principle of interaction, and
9. Principle of predictability,

5. Biological Principles

6. 1. Cephalocaudal – It means ‘head to toe’.
Cephalic means ‘Head’ region while Caudal means
‘Tail’ region. The development of area near to
main neural region (head) than the area distant
from it. The infants head is proportionately larger
than the body due to which infants while crawling
uses the arms earlier than legs. It indicates that the
head develops before the body in the prenatal
period (prior to 5 months).
Courtesy: www.nursingdaddy.com/

7. 2. Proximodistal – The proximo means ‘near’
and distal means ‘far’. The prenatal
development from 5 months until birth when the
fetus' body grows from the ‘inside’ of the body
‘outwards’. It refers to development that
proceeds from the centre of the body and moves
towards the extremities.

8. 3. Orthogenetic – It is also known as progressive
evolution. The development of all aspects of
functioning (including cognition, perception, etc.)
progresses from lack of differentiation to increasing
differentiation, articulation, and hierarchic
integration (Heinz Werner, 1975). The development
of simple skills before complex skills is a type of
orthogenetic development.

9. General Principles

10. General Principles:
1. Principle of Continuity – It means development is
continuous through out life cycle. It’s a gradual and
incessant modification in both the domains
(Psychological and physiological) of human being.
2. Principle of Lack of Uniformity in the Rate of
Development – Although it is continuous but the rate of
development is not uniform in cognitive, physical
aspects and stages of human beings. For example in two
children the height may increase at varying rate, similar
is the case with emotions.
3. Principle of Individual Differences – The genetic
make up of every human being is unique and exclusive.
Hence, the development is accordingly distinct in all
dimensions.

11. 4. Principle of Uniformity of Pattern – The
pattern of development is uniform and universal in
its scope. The development of cognitive abilities,
language development, learning to walk etc.
develops in a definite and uniform pattern with
distinct rate and manifestation.
5. Principle of Proceeding from General from
Specific Responses – According to this principle
child learns to respond in general terms than
gradually picks up specific responses. For example
while waving the child initially uses full arm and
then learns to wave only palm similar is the case
with language where she address all individuals
mummy and papa etc.

12. 6. Principle of Integration – The development is
from specific to whole and from whole to specific
(Kuppuswami, 1963) that means it is a integrated effort
of all parts and organs of the body.
7. Principle of Interrelation – A famous quote,
“Healthy mind resides in healthy body”, which
indicates that the development of one organ is directly
or indirectly related to the development of other organ/s
and body parts. The poorly developed brain can lead to
poor emotional and intellectual responses.
8. Principle of Interaction – The active interaction of
internal and external forces results in comprehensive
development. For example “Nature v/s Nurture”
example suggests the significant role of genes and
psycho-social environment in development.

13. 9. Principle of Predictability – As we have discussed
that development follows the principle of uniformity of
pattern and continuity which refers to that its sequence
can be predicted. For example
‘Babinski’ is a reflex found in
newborn babies that
disappears at the age to
8 to 12 months etc.

14. References:
(i) NCERT, XI Psychology Text Book.
(ii) Mangal, S. K. (2017). Advanced Educational Psychology,
2nd ed. Delhi: PHI Learning.
(iii) http://www.psychologydiscussion.net/educational-
psychology/principles-of-human-growth-and-development/1813
(iv) https://study.com/academy/lesson/principles-of-growth-
and-development.html.
(v) http://www.shareyouressays.com/knowledge/12-main-
principles-of-growth-and-development-of-children/116600.
(vi) https://dictionary.apa.org/orthogenetic-principle

15. Next Lecture
Biological factors in
Human Development

16. Thanks
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