Final answer:
Lifespan development examines how individuals grow and change across physical, cognitive, and psychosocial domains from conception to death, with theories by Freud, Erikson, Piaget, and Kohlberg providing insight into the different stages of life such as prenatal, infant, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lifespan development is a field studied by developmental psychologists who analyze how individuals grow and change from conception to death. This study follows a comprehensive approach that covers three developmental domains: physical development, cognitive development, and psychosocial development. The progression within these domains is often assessed through various theories proposed by figures like Sigmund Freud, Erik Erikson, Jean Piaget, and Lawrence Kohlberg. For instance, Erikson's theory emphasizes the significant impact of social interactions and the completion of social tasks in shaping an individual's identity throughout different stages of life.
The continuous changes in our physical, cognitive, and psychosocial skills are seen as we move through different stages, such as prenatal, infant, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood development. Erikson's later stages, for example, describe late adulthood as a period where individuals reflect on their achievements with either a sense of integrity or a sense of despair, influencing their approach to aging and reflecting on life.