The concept of life span development is relatively new. For many years, child psychology was studied, but it was understood that by the beginning of early adulthood most, if not all, of one’s important development had occurred. In other words, psychologists thought the important changes that come with age were completed by the end of adolescence.

Why do you believe that psychologists now study the whole life span? How does realizing that important developments occur throughout our whole lives affect our lives in general?

Next, describe the scientific methodology and typical research designs used in life span psychology (refer to your text). Which methodology and research design do you think produces the best results in the study of life span development? Why?