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Development - GCSE Psychology Definition

Reviewed by: Raj Bonsor

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In GCSE Psychology, "development" refers to the process of growth and change that happens over a person's life, from birth to old age. It includes changes in how we think, feel, and behave, as well as how we physically grow and develop.

Psychologists study different stages of development to understand how people learn, relate to others, and form their own identities. For example, development can involve learning to talk, forming friendships, or developing problem-solving skills. Understanding development helps us see how our experiences and environment shape who we are as we grow up.

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Raj Bonsor

Reviewer: Raj Bonsor

Expertise: Psychology & Sociology Content Creator

Raj joined Save My Exams in 2024 as a Senior Content Creator for Psychology & Sociology. Prior to this, she spent fifteen years in the classroom, teaching hundreds of GCSE and A Level students. She has experience as Subject Leader for Psychology and Sociology, and her favourite topics to teach are research methods (especially inferential statistics!) and attachment. She has also successfully taught a number of Level 3 subjects, including criminology, health & social care, and citizenship.

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