A normative approach to lifespan development involves studying and comparing the typical patterns of development and behavior across different individuals or groups of people at various ages. Here are some benefits of using this approach:
Identifying developmental milestones: A normative approach helps to identify the typical milestones and achievements that people reach at different ages, such as crawling, walking, talking, and reading. This can help parents, educators, and healthcare professionals to monitor and assess a child's development and provide appropriate support and interventions when necessary.
Understanding individual differences: While a normative approach focuses on typical patterns of development, it also recognizes that there are individual differences in development and behavior. By comparing people's development to the norm, we can better understand how and why some individuals may differ from the norm, such as in terms of their physical, cognitive, or socioemotional development.
Informing public policies and interventions: A normative approach can help to inform public policies and interventions that support healthy development across the lifespan. For example, knowledge about the typical milestones of development can inform early childhood education programs, while information about the typical age-related changes in cognition and memory can inform policies related to employment and retirement.