1. Unit 1 Human Lifespan Development
B – Factors affecting human growth and development

2. B. Factors affecting human growth and development
B1 – The nature/nurture debate related to factors
B2 – Genetic factors that affect development
B3 – Environmental factors that affect development
B4 – Social factors that affect development
B5 – Economic factors that affect development
B6 – Major life events that affect development

3. B1 – The nature/nurture debate related to factors
Development across the lifespan is a result of genetic or inherited factors – Gesell’s maturation theory
Development across the lifespan is a result of environmental factors – Bandura’s social learning theory
Both factors may play a part – stress-diathesis model

4. Nature Vs Nurture

5. Nature Vs Nurture Science - Darwin Freud Piaget Chomsky Maslow Bandura
Nature Vs Nurture Debate

6. Gesell’s Maturation Theory (Nature)
Gesell noted that each child moved through the sequence of ‘norms’ or ‘milestones’ at their own pace.
Maturation is the genetically programmed sequence of change we all go through in life.
Gesell believed development is predetermined, with little influence from the environment. If a child experiences delayed development, then the problem is heredity not circumstances.

7. Gesell’s Maturation Theory

8. Bandura’s Social Learning Theory (Nurture)

9. Bandura’s Social Learning Theory

10. Stress-Diathesis Model
This helps to explain how stress caused by life events (nurture) can interact with an individual’s genetic vulnerability (nature) to impact on their mental well-being.
Some people are born with certain genetic predispositions to a mental illness (diathesis)
However, they may never develop the disorder if they do not experience stress in their life.
Stressful events that could trigger the onset for those with a predisposition = family conflict, abuse, trauma, problems at school etc.
Diathesis = a predisposition or vulnerability to mental disorder through abnormality of the brain or neuro-transmitters.

11. Stress-Diathesis Model