Development is the scientific study of how people change, as well as how they remain the same, from conception to death. It encompasses changes in the physical body, brain and neurophysiology, cognitive functions, language, emotions, personality, morality and psychosocial relationships. It is also the process of acquiring skills and abilities that enable individuals to function in their chosen professions. The field is also referred to as human development or lifespan development, and it may be subdivided into four stages.
A key aspect of development is how people learn and grow through experience. The earliest forms of development occur in the primary years, when children develop their basic sensory experiences and acquire fundamental cognitive abilities. The next stage occurs during adolescence, when adolescents begin to make decisions about their own identity and social roles. The final stage, adulthood, involves establishing independence and mastering lifelong skills.
For companies, the development of new products and services can provide a competitive advantage. Alphabet invests more than $16 billion annually in its R&D arm, X, which includes the Waymo self-driving car project, and Amazon spends even more on its Alexa voice assistant and cashier-less grocery store, Amazon Go. Software developers can accelerate their development efforts with artificial intelligence, which enables their applications to learn and perform tasks more quickly and efficiently.
Developing and retaining talent is an essential aspect of company growth. Providing employees with real-time professional growth and opportunities to learn will keep them happy and productive—and help you avoid losing them to competitors that offer better pay and career paths.