The development field is an exhilarating space to work within, and it can also be a bit confusing. In this article, we will explore some of the most important aspects of development and how to study it.
Human development (also known as lifespan development) is the scientific study of how we change, or stay the same, throughout our entire lives. It encompasses physical and neurophysiological processes, cognitive, language, personality, and moral development as well as our social relationships with others.
A common way to describe the goals of development is as “good change.” But how do we know which change is good? One metric that has gained popularity is identifying countries as more developed or less developed. However, this can have some limitations because it only considers how much money a country has and doesn’t account for factors like the quality of education and health care or the availability of clean air and water.
A more holistic approach to development is sustainable development. This is the goal of increasing the quality of life and reducing poverty, while also making sure to protect the environment. It takes into account all the resources a nation has and the impacts that those resources have on its people and the world. It is the best way to ensure that all humans have access to what they need in order to live a full and happy life. This includes material goods like food, clothing, and housing; natural resources such as soil,water,and forests; human capital including education,employment,and health; and social capital such as trust and harmony.