Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Development refers to the gradual changes in behavior, thinking abilities, emotions, relationships, and social skills over time as individuals mature from infancy through adulthood.
Related terms
Nature vs. Nurture: The debate about the relative influence of genetic inheritance (nature) and environmental factors (nurture) on an individual's development.