Lifespan Development

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Lifespan development is defined as “the field of study that examines patterns of growth, change, and stability in behaviour that occur throughout the lifespan” (Feldman, 2014, p. 5), particularly focusing on humans, rather than other species. People often think of the term ‘learning’ as formal education inside a classroom, however from the day of conception, right throughout a person’s lifetime, learning is constantly occurring. In fact, learning is defined as a “step-by-step process in which an individual experiences permanent, lasting changes in knowledge, behaviours, or ways of processing the world” (Study.com, 2018, p. 1). (Kolb, 1976) states that educational and lifelong success derives from learning from past experiences, new opportunities …show more content…

It is also important to understand how different cultures, environments, societies, ethnicities, and economic status may affect the development of someone’s life. I thought it would be interesting to do a case study on someone to see if I could identify themes and similarities between the information I have learnt in lectures and by reading the (Feldman, 2014) textbook and an individual. This report aims to analyse and discuss the life, challenges, and themes that have occurred in my chosen participants lifespan. ‘William’ was born on a family farm in a rural part of New Zealand. His family was close, and still are. William has three younger siblings, one sister and two brothers. He cannot recall going to kindy, however he went to the local community primary school, followed by boarding school some five hours away for intermediate and high school. William left home at aged 10 and thinks back on these schooling years as a “great grounding” and a time where he had to “man up”. William got very involved in many sporting aspects and agrees that he had good …show more content…

He had a close and supportive family growing up, and states that his parents were the most influential on his early development, had good experiences at school, a variety of jobs and careers, and is currently a successful businessman. The most stressful time in his life was living on the farm, and then having to establish a new life with his partner once leaving the farm. Following this William also had Hodgkin’s disease which was the most significant health issue that William had to overcome. William got much joy from being with his family, and strongly believes that family is the most important thing in his life. This interview with William has been interesting to look at the significant events and changes that have occurred throughout his life and have helped me to become more aware of the way humans develop. It is also interesting to be able to relate some of these findings to what I have been learning in lectures, and also to my own

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