Final answer:
Developmental psychology is the study of human growth and development throughout the lifespan, examining physical, cognitive, and psychosocial changes. It addresses theoretical debates about the nature of development and includes influential theories from Freud, Erikson, Piaget, and Kohlberg.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Developmental Psychology
The correct answer is c. Developmental psychology. This area of psychology is concerned with the study of how humans grow, develop, and change throughout the lifespan. It is an interdisciplinary field that incorporates aspects of biology, psychology, and sociology to better understand human development from conception to death.
Developmental psychologists research the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial domains of human growth. Physical development refers to bodily and brain changes, motor skills, and health. Cognitive development encompasses learning, attention, memory, and reasoning. Psychosocial development includes the evolution of emotions, personality, and social relationships. Theories from luminaries like Sigmund Freud, Erik Erikson, Jean Piaget, and Lawrence Kohlberg shed light on various aspects of human growth and the factors that influence our development such as the continuous versus discontinuous nature of change, the role of genetics versus environment (nature versus nurture), and the singularity or multiplicity of developmental courses.