Final answer:
Developmental Psychology is the study of physiological, cognitive, emotional, and social changes that occur over a person's lifespan. It consists of physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development, and incorporates theories on how these developments occur and are influenced throughout life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The study of changes, over the life-span, in physiology, cognition, emotion, and social behavior is defined as Developmental Psychology. This field of psychology encompasses the scientific approach to understanding the lifespan development of individuals, taking into consideration physical growth, cognitive skills, moral reasoning, social behaviors, and psychological attributes from conception to death.
Developmental psychology explores three key domains: physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development. Physical development addresses body and brain growth, sensory capacities, motor skills, and overall health. Cognitive development covers learning, attention, memory, language, thinking, reasoning, and creativity. Psychosocial development involves emotions, personality, and social relationships.
Overall, lifespan theories, as studied by developmental psychologists, attempt to answer questions about development being continuous or discontinuous, universal or unique, and the interplay of genetic and environmental factors (nature versus nurture). Well-known theorists such as Freud, Erikson, Piaget, and Kohlberg have provided various frameworks to understand the different aspects of human development.