Most people consider growth and development to be the same. But there are different definitions of growth and development in psychology. The area of growth is small but the area of development is very vast. So, developmental psychologists have defined many developmental theories to understand development.
They are Jean Piaget’s cognitive development theory, Lev Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, Erikson’s psychosocial theory. There are many internal and external factors affecting growth and development. The main factors affecting growth and development
Maternal factors and teratogens also have a vast impact on growth and development. As a child’s growth and development progresses, different factors affect his overall development. They are:-
- Heredity factors These factors are biologically determined. Genes lead to physical characteristics such as weight, height, hair color, eye color, and Intelligence level. Many diseases such as diabetes and obesity may also be passed through genes. In conclusion, all these diseases affect growth and development.
- Intelligence factors It means to take the right decision in different-different situations. Your ability and capacity affect your development. An intelligent person controls his emotions and learns to adjust according to conditions in society. Low-intelligent children are not able to control their emotions. So, their growth and development are at low levels.
- Social factors The overall development of the child is possible only by staying in society. Consequently, man is like an animal without society.
- Emotional Factors The person who is not able to control negative emotions (fear, anger, jealousy) becomes suffering from a mental disorder.
- Environmental Factors Environment has positive and negative effects on the growth and development of the child. Therefore, a balanced diet, good living, and the best working conditions lead to positive development.
Other factors
- Nutrients In the prenatal period, the mother needs high nutrition. Because the child receives food only through the mother’s embryo. A child who is studying also needs high nutrients. in short, nutrition is much needed for pregnant women.
- Parents’ education In the developmental process, it is essential for parents to be educated. Because illiterate parents cannot guide their children. And without guidance, it is impossible for the child to have full development. in brief, children of educated parents also become educated.
- Peer group There is a saying like a group, so is a dialect. Your nature becomes the way you live in a group. Therefore, the effect of peer groups on the development of children.
- Parent’s relationship If there is a rift in the parents’ relationship then it has a negative effect on the development of the children. Because children imitate their parents.
- Exercise and health As there is a saying healthy body. And regular exercise keeps blood circulation going in the body which is beneficial for your health. In brief, health is wealth.
- Lack of opportunity In the absence of opportunity, the development of the child is not possible.
- Infectious diseases The growth and development of the child slow down due to infectious diseases. They are Malaria, Covid-19, AIDS, and Chickenpox.
- Home environment The environmental factors affect human beings. The home environment is a part of development. If the home environment is positive. So the child will be a very positive development.
- School environment The children spend most of their time at school. They keep observing teachers. And then try to behave like a teacher.
- Mass Media and social media In modern times, students also use social media. And students mostly use mobile. Mobile is affecting them badly.
- Geographical influences
- Risk-taking behavior
- Mental health
Difference between Growth and Development
| Growth | Development |
| Growth is related to physical changes. | This process is related to overall development. |
| It is a part of development. | It covers a vast area. |
| Growth is an external process. | The overall development is a continuous process. |
| It is a quantitative process. | Development is a qualitative process. |
| Growth cannot measure the entire personality. | Development can measure an entire personality. |
| Objectivity takes precedence in growth. | Subjectivity takes precedence in development. |
| It means an increase in size, height weight, and length. | It refers to overall changes related to cognitive, social, physical, and emotional. |
| Growth in human beings from conception through maturity. | Development in human beings from conception to death. |
| The growth leads to physiological changes. | It follows uniformity and a few individual differences. |
| It is based on physical appearance. | In the development process, it is based on cephalocaudal and proximodistal tendencies. |
| The growth stops at the maturity level. | The development is presented with the help of predictability. |
| In the growth process, it is not related to a continuous process. | It is a continuous process. |
| The growth is the more observable process. | The development is more unobservable process. |
growth and development have different definitions
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