developmental psychology

American  

noun

1. a branch of psychology that studies changes in human behavior from early life to death.

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developmental psychology Cultural  

1. The branch of psychology that studies the psychological growth of individuals. It deals with the psychological responses and changes in behavior that characterize such stages of life as infancy, adolescence, and old age.

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Other Word Forms

• developmental psychologist
  noun

Example Sentences

As a researcher in developmental psychology, focusing on social development and psychological well-being, I argue that news fatigue is not laziness, weakness or a generational decline in civic interest.

From Science Daily • Jun. 16, 2026

Thalia R. Goldstein, associate professor and director of applied developmental psychology at George Mason University, said storytelling could be a healthy way to introduce kids to painful truths.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

Monique Botha, a professor in social and developmental psychology at Durham University, said the "fearmongering" could stop women from seeking appropriate care during their pregnancy.

From BBC • Sep. 23, 2025

In the developmental psychology classes I teach, I talk about different theories of aging.

From Salon • Jan. 30, 2022

Research into developmental psychology says children become aware of gender categories as early as age 3 and are very sensitive to gender-based labels, he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 9, 2021