Growth and Development
MEANING OF GROWTH:
The term growth denotes a net increase in the size, or mass of the tissue. It is largely attributed to the multiplication of cells and increase in the intracellular substance. The term growth implies an increase in size. When a body or any of its parts is described as having grown, it usually means that it has become large and heavy. It is thus that we speak of the growth of arms, brain, muscles or the body in general. Growth means an increase or addition in size, height, length or weight and can be measured. It is due to cell divisionDefinition:
The Encyclopedia Britannica defines “growth” as an increase in the size or the amount of an entity. The word growth is used for all those structural and physiological changes that take place within individuals during the process of maturation.For example, the increase in weight, height, length of limbs, limbs and size different organs is called growth. It is a biological process and continues from birth to adulthood. When a child eats food, it becomes a part of his body. During this time new cells are produced, which results in physical increase. This physical increase is called growth.
According to Hurlock (1959): “Growth is change in size, in proportion, the disappearance of the old features and acquisition of new ones”. i.e. growth in height, falling of milk teeth and acquisition of permanent teeth.
According to Crow and Crow (1962): “Growth refers to structural and physiological changes.” It means any change in size and proportion of limbs indicates structural change, whereas, an increase in the internal organs are physiological changes.
CHARACTERISTICS OF GROWTH:
• Changes in the quantitative aspects come into the domain of growth. Growth is used in purely physical terms; it generally refers to change in size, length, height, weight and shape of body organs like the brain etc. of an individual.
• Growth is one of the aspects of the developmental processes. Growth describes the changes which take place in a particular aspect of the body and behavior of an organism.
• Growth does not continue throughout life, it stops when maturity has been attained. The changes produced by growth may be quantified.
• Growth may or may not bring development. A child may grow (in terms of weight) by becoming fat, but his growth may not bring any functional improvement (qualitative change) or development.
MEANING OF DEVELOPMENT:
Development means a change in shape, form or structure so as to improve its working or functioning. Human development is the progression and regression that occur within human beings over the life span. Development implies certain qualitative changes or changes in character leading to maturity of improvement in functioning. For example, when the muscles of the legs become strong, a child begins to crawl, then stand, and then starts walking. So, this crawling, standing and walking is called development.Children grow, but they also develop by undergoing certain changes, which equip them for better work. Development is a progressive change the child undergoes, which increases the physical, social, mental and emotional capacities of the child. In the early stages of life these changes are constructive. After middle age, there are destructive changes in the body, which lead to old age.
According to J.E. Anderson (1950): “Development is concerned with growth as well as those changes in behavior which results from environmental situations”.
According to Hurlock (1959): “Development means a progressive series of changes that occur in an orderly, predictable pattern as a result of maturation and experience.”
According to Crow and Crow (1962): “Development is concerned with growth as well as those changes in behavior which results from environmental situations”.
According to Liebert, Poulos and Marmor (1979): “Development refers to a process of change in growth and capability over time, as a function of both mature and interaction with the environment. Thus, the development includes Growth Capability Maturation Interaction with the environment”.
• Development implies overall changes in shape, form or structure, resulting in improved working or functioning.
Definition:
The Encyclopedia Britannica defined the word ‘development’ as the progressive change in size, shape, and function during the life of an organism by which its genetic potential (genotype) is translated into functioning adult systems (phenotype). This means that development includes the increase not only in the size, but also in the function of an organ.According to J.E. Anderson (1950): “Development is concerned with growth as well as those changes in behavior which results from environmental situations”.
According to Hurlock (1959): “Development means a progressive series of changes that occur in an orderly, predictable pattern as a result of maturation and experience.”
According to Crow and Crow (1962): “Development is concerned with growth as well as those changes in behavior which results from environmental situations”.
According to Liebert, Poulos and Marmor (1979): “Development refers to a process of change in growth and capability over time, as a function of both mature and interaction with the environment. Thus, the development includes Growth Capability Maturation Interaction with the environment”.
CHARACTERISTICS OF DEVELOPMENT:
• Changes in the child that occur over time. The changes follow an orderly pattern that moves toward greater complexity and enhances survival.
• It indicates the changes in the quality or character rather than in quantitative aspects.
• Development is a wide and comprehensive term; it refers to overall changes in the individual. Growth is one of its aspects. It can be observed by maturing behavior.
• Development describes the changes in the organism as a whole and does not list changes in parts.
• Development is a continuous and lifelong process.
• Development implies improvement in functioning and behavior and hence brings qualitative changes.
• Development is also possible without growth as we see in the cases of some children. They do not gain in terms of height, weight or size, but they do experience functional improvement or development in Physical, Social, emotional or intellectual aspects. Development deals with all the aspects of personality and has a vast scope.
These two terms have different meaning and characteristics, but they are interdependent. Growth cannot be separated from development and development is comprised of growth. Thus limited growth hampers development, whereas balanced growth promotes development.
Growth is one of the parts of developmental process. In a strict sense, development in its quantitative aspect is termed as growth. Development is a wider and comprehensive term. It refers to overall changes in the individual.
Growth describes the changes which take place in particular aspects of the body and behaviour of an organism. Development describes the changes in the organism as a whole and does not list the changes in parts.
Growth does not continue throughout life. It stops when maturity has been attained. Development is a continuous process. It goes from womb to tomb. It does not end with the attainment of maturity, the changes however small they may be, continue throughout the life span of an individual.
The changes produced by growth are the subject of measurement. They may be quantified. Development implies improvement in functioning and behaviour and hence brings qualitative changes which are difficult to be measured directly.
Later, their fears become more specific and elicit different kinds of behaviour, such as, crying, turning away and hiding etc.
RELATIONSHIP OF GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT:
The term growth is used in purely physical sense. It generally refers to an increase in size, length, height and weight. Changes in the quantitative aspects come into the domain of growth. Development implies overall changes in shape, form or structure resulting in improved working or functioning. It indicates the changes in the quality or character rather than in quantitative aspects.Growth is one of the parts of developmental process. In a strict sense, development in its quantitative aspect is termed as growth. Development is a wider and comprehensive term. It refers to overall changes in the individual.
Growth describes the changes which take place in particular aspects of the body and behaviour of an organism. Development describes the changes in the organism as a whole and does not list the changes in parts.
Growth does not continue throughout life. It stops when maturity has been attained. Development is a continuous process. It goes from womb to tomb. It does not end with the attainment of maturity, the changes however small they may be, continue throughout the life span of an individual.
The changes produced by growth are the subject of measurement. They may be quantified. Development implies improvement in functioning and behaviour and hence brings qualitative changes which are difficult to be measured directly.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT:
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Areas
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Growth
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Development
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Meaning
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Net increase in size due to multiplication of cells
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Change in body structure resulting into functioning
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Examples
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Increase in height, weight Growth of limbs and organs
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The child develops skills in writing, reading, drawing, communicating
etc.
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Aspects
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More emphasis is on the physical aspect. Physical development is
referred to as growth
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It includes physical, cognitive, emotional, social and moral aspects
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Measurability
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It is quantitative in nature, so measurable in various units
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Qualitative in nature. It cannot be measured, but observed in terms
of implications
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Age limit
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Growth is limited up to a certain age. i.e. 17-18 years. It stops at
maturity
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It is throughout human life, from birth through old age, Development
continues through experiences
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Inclusiveness
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Growth does not include development. But it has an impact on
development, i.e. due to adequate growth in height and weight a child gains
confidence
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Development is a broad term. Growth is one aspect of development. It
is an integrated concept comprised of many aspects.
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Scope
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Growth may or may not bring development. i,e. Obesity
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Development is possible without growth, i.e. a person may not grow
physically, but functional progress is observed
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Principles of Growth and Development:
1. Development is Continuous:
The process of growth and development continues from the conception till the individual reaches maturity. Development of both physical and mental traits continues gradually until these traits reach their maximum growth. It goes on continuously throughout life. Even after maturity has been attained, development does not end.2. Development is Gradual:
It does not come all on a sudden. It is also cumulative in nature.3. Development is Sequential:
Most psychologists agree that development is sequential or orderly. Every species, whether animal or human, follows a pattern of development peculiar to it. This pattern in general is the same for all individuals. The child crawls before he creeps, stands before he walks and babbles before he talks.4. Rate of Development Varies Person to Person:
Rate of development is not uniform. Individuals differ in the rate of growth and development. Boys and girls have different development rates. Each part of the body has its own particular rate of growth. There are periods of great intensity and equilibrium and there are periods of imbalance.5. Development Proceeds from General to Specific:
Development proceeds from general to specific. In all areas of development, general activity always precedes specific activity. For example, the fetus moves its whole body but is incapable of making specific responses. With respect to emotional behaviour infants approach strange and unusual objects with some sort of general fear response.Later, their fears become more specific and elicit different kinds of behaviour, such as, crying, turning away and hiding etc.
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