Lifespan development is a subfield of the discipline of psychology; human development adds a multidisciplinary approach to the study of the lifespan The study of lifespan development extends back to the ancient Greeks, through the Child Study Movement in the early 1900s, to today

Lifespan development as a scientific discipline is concerned with application—taking findings and putting them to use in people’s lives Lifespan development addresses the nature and nurture question, which explores the sources of developmental change and the relative contributions of genetics and the environment

psychology — scientific study of the mind and all the behavior it produces. critical period — developmental age range in which certain experiences are required for the development of a psychological or physical ability. sensitive period — age range when the development of a characteristic is particularly open to inputs and influences from the environment. child study movement — social and historical consensus that combined several interests to focus the scientific community’s interest on child development.