Life Span Theory in Developmental Psychology

Lifespan developmental psychology is an overarching framework, which considers the study of individual development (ontogenesis) from conception into old age. Efforts are made to highlight the uniqueness in developmental theory that emanates from a lifespan developmental framework. Models and definitions of successful (effective) development, which highlight individual and cultural variations, are a main focus of researchers in this field. The concept of lifespan developmental psychology was previously advanced to incorporate two approaches (i.e., wholistic person-centered and function-centered) to lifespan ontogenesis. Historical and societal contexts of theoretical arguments are discussed to embed the…