DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Psychological foundation of Education

ASSIGNMENT 1 (MEM-1002)

TOPIC – How growth differs from

development? Describe principles of
development.

SUBMITTED TO: SUBMITTED BY:

Prof. Gunjan Dubey Deepak Sharma
21EDMOA150
 CONCEPT OF GROWTH

Growth refers to physical increase in some quantity over

time. It includes changes in terms of height, weight, body
proportions and general physical appearance.
growth is defined as “an increase in size or the amount of an
entity”. It means growth involves all those structural and
physiological changes that take place within individual
during the process of maturation. For example, growth of a
child means the increase in weight, height and different
organs of the child’s body.
Hurlock has defined Growth as “change in size, in
proportion, disappearance of old features and acquisition
of new ones”.
Growth refers to structural and physiological changes
(Crow and Crow, 1962).
Thus, growth refers to an increase in physical size of whole
or any of its part and can be measured.
 CONCEPT OF DEVELOPMENT

Development refers to the qualitative changes in the

organism as whole. Development is a continuous process
through which physical, emotional and intellectual
changes occur. It is a more wide and comprehensive term
than growth. It is also possible without growth.
development is defined as “the series of changes which an
organism undergoes in passing from an embryonic stage to
maturity.”
the term development defined as “the progressive change
in size, shape and function during the life of an organism by
which its genetic potential is translated into functioning
adult system.” So, development includes all those
psychological changes that take in the functions and
activities of different organs of an organism.
Development is continuous and gradual process (Skinner).
According to Crow and Crow (1965) development is
concerned with growth as well as those changes in
behaviour which results from environmental situation.”
Thus, development is a process of change in growth and
capability over time due to function of both maturation and
interaction with the environment.
How growth differs from
development?

GROWTH DEVELOPMENT
Growth refers to Development refers to overall
physiological changes. changes in the individual. It
involves changes in an orderly
and coherent type towards the
goal of maturity.
Changes in the quantitative Development changes in the
respect is termed as growth. quality along with quantitative
aspect.
Growth does not continue Development continues
throughout life. throughout life.
Growth stops after Development is progressive.
maturation.
Growth occurs due to the Development occurs due to
multiplication of cells. both maturation and
interaction with the
environment.
Growth is cellular. Development is organizational.
Growth is one of the parts of Development is a wider and
the developmental process. comprehensive term.

Growth may be referred to Development describes the

describe the changes in changes in the organism as a
particular aspects of the body whole
and behaviour of the
organism.
The changes produced by Development brings qualitative
growth are subjects of changes which are difficult to
measurements. They may be measure directly. They are
quantified and observable in assessed through keen
nature. observation of behaviour in
different situations.
Growth may or may not bring Development is possible
development. without growth.
 PRINCIPLES OF DEVELOPMENT

1. Principle of Continuity
The development follows the principle of continuity which
means that development is a continuous process. It starts
with pre-natal and ends with death.

2. Principle of Integration
Development thus involves a movement from the whole to
parts and from parts to the whole and this way it is the
integration of the whole and its parts as well as the specific
and general responses. It enables a child to develop
satisfactorily concerning various aspects or dimensions of
his personality.
Example: Child first starts to learn hand movement then
finger movement and then learn the movement of both
hand and finger together this is called integration.

3. Principle of lack of uniformity in the developmental

rate
Development through the continuous process, but does not
exhibit steadiness and uniformity in terms of the rate of
development in various development of personality or the
developmental periods and stage of life.
Example: A person may have a high rate of growth and
development in terms of height and weight but may not
have the same pace of mental and social development.
4. Principle of individual difference
Every organism is a distinct creation in itself. One of the
most important principles of development is that involves
individual differences. There is no fixed rate of
development. That all children will learn to walk is
universal, but the time at which each child takes his /her
first step may vary.

5. Principle of uniformity pattern

Although development does not proceed at a uniform rate
and shows marked individual differences concerning the
process and outcome of various stages of development, it
follows a definite pattern in one or the other dimension
which is uniform and universal concerning the individual
of a species.

6. Principe of proceeding from general to specific

While developing to any aspect of personality. The child
first pickup or exhibit a general response and learn how to
show specific and goal-directed responses afterwards.

7. Principle of interaction between Heredity and

Environment
The development of a child is a process that cannot be
defined wholly based on either heredity or environment.
Both have to play an important role in development. There
are arguments in favour of both. However, most
psychologists agree that an interplay o these two factors
leads to development.
Where heredity decides or set some limits on development
(mostly physical), environmental influences complete the
developmental process (qualitative). Environmental
influences provide space for multidimensional
development through interaction with family, peers,
society and so on. Growth and development are a joint
product of heredity and environment.

8. Principle of interrelation
Various aspects or dimensions of one’s growth and
development are interrelated. What is achieved or not
achieved in one or other dimensions in the course of the
gradual and continuous process of the development surely
affects the development of other dimensions?
A healthy body tends to develop a healthy mind and an
emotionally stable, physically strong and socially
conscious personality. Inadequate physical or mental
development may, on the other hand, result in a socially or
emotionally maladjusted personality.

9. Principle of Cephalocaudal
Development proceeds in the direction of the longitudinal
axis. Development from head to foot or toe. That is why,
before it becomes able to stand, the child first gains control
over his head and arms and then on his legs.

10. Principle of Proximodistal

Development of motor skills to start at central body parts to
outwards. That is why, in the beginning, the child is seen to
exercise control over the large fundamental muscles of the
arm and then hand and only afterwards over the smaller
muscles of the fingers.

11. Principle of predictability

Development is predictable, which means that with the
help of the uniformity of pattern and sequence of
development. We can go to a great extent, forecast the
general nature and behaviour of a child in one or more
aspects or dimensions at any particular stage of its growth
and development. We can know the particular age at which
children will learn to walk, speak and so on.

12. Principle of Spiral versus Linear advancement

The child doesn’t proceed straight or linear on the path of
development at any stage never takes place at a constant or
steady pace. After the child had developed to a certain
level, there is likely to be a period of rest for consolidation
of the developmental progress achieved till then. In
advancing further, therefore, the development turns back
and then moves forward again in a spiral pattern.

13. Principle of Association of Maturation and Learning

Biological growth and development are known
as maturation. Biological changes involve changes in the
brain and the nervous system, which provide new abilities
to a child. Development proceeds from simple to complex.
In the beginning, a child learns through concrete objects
and gradually moves to abstract thinking. This transition
happens because of the maturation