Human Development | Class 11 Psychology Notes
By ConceptScroll Team · Published on 17 July 2026 · 4 min read
Human Development – this guide gives you a concise, exam-ready overview of Human Development from Class 11 Psychology, written by ConceptScroll editors and reviewed against the latest NCERT textbook.
Infancy
Infancy spans from birth to about two years and is marked by rapid brain development and significant physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional growth. At birth, most brain cells are present, but neural connections develop rapidly postnatally. Newborns exhibit reflexes—automatic, built-in responses to stimuli—that are survival mechanisms and foundations for later motor development. Some reflexes like coughing and blinking persist lifelong, while others like rooting and grasp disappear as voluntary control develops (see Table 3.1). Motor development follows a universal sequence, progressing from reflexive to voluntary movements, including grasping, sitting, crawling, and walking. Sensory abilities are present at birth; infants can hear, respond to touch, smell, and taste. Vision is initially limited but improves to adult levels by about one year, with full color vision developing by three months. Cognitively, infants explore the world through sensory experiences and actions, lacking object permanence initially but developing it by about eight months. Language development begins with babbling between 3 to 6 months. Socio-emotionally, infants form attachments with caregivers, which are crucial for trust development (Erikson). Harlow's studies with monkeys demonstrated the importance of contact comfort over nourishment in attachment. Secure attachment leads to positive social and emotional outcomes, while insecure attachment can cause anxiety. Overall, infancy sets the foundation for future development across domains.
📊 Diagram: Table on page 8 (5×3) showing reflexes such as Rooting, Moro, Grasp, and Babinski with their descriptions and developmental course.
🔗 Connection: Prepares for the next stage: Childhood, focusing on slower physical growth and cognitive advances.
Table on page 8 (5×3)
| Reflex | Description | Developmental Course |
|---|---|---|
| Rooting | Turning the head and opening the mouth when touched on the cheek | Disappears between 3 and 6 months |
| Moro | If there is a loud noise, the baby will throw her/his arms outward while arching her/his back, and then bring the arms together as if grasping something | Disappears in 6 to 7 months (although reaction to loud noises is permanent) |
| Grasp | When a finger or some other object is pressed against the baby's palm, the baby's fingers close around it | Disappears in 3 to 4 months; replaced by voluntary grasping |
| Babinski | When the bottom of the baby's foot is stroked, the toes fan out and then curl | Disappears in 8 to 12 months |
Frequently asked questions
What is development? How is it different from growth and maturation?
Development refers to the progressive series of changes that occur in an individual from conception to death. It includes physical, cognitive, emotional, and social changes. Growth is a quantitative increase in size or body mass, such as height or weight, whereas maturation refers to the qualitative changes that occur naturally and are genetically programmed, such as puberty or the development of the nervous system. Thus, development is a broader concept encompassing growth and maturation.
Describe the main features of life-span perspective on development.
The life-span perspective on development views development as a lifelong process that involves growth and change from conception to death. Its main features include: (1) Development is lifelong, not limited to childhood or adolescence. (2) Development is multidimensional, involving physical, cognitive, emotional, and social aspects. (3) Development is multidirectional, meaning some abilities improve while others decline. (4) Development is plastic, meaning it can be shaped by experience. (5) Dev
What are developmental tasks? Explain by giving examples.
Developmental tasks are the skills, abilities, and competencies that individuals are expected to achieve at different stages of life. Successfully accomplishing these tasks leads to happiness and success in later stages, while failure may result in difficulties. For example, in infancy, developmental tasks include learning to walk and talk; in adolescence, forming an identity and gaining independence; in adulthood, establishing a career and family; and in old age, adjusting to retirement and cop
'Environment of the child has a major role in the development of the child'. Support your answer with examples.
The environment plays a crucial role in shaping a child's development. It includes family, school, peers, culture, and socio-economic conditions. For example, a child raised in a nurturing and stimulating environment with access to education and social interaction is more likely to develop cognitive and social skills effectively. Conversely, a child in a deprived environment with neglect or lack of resources may face developmental delays. For instance, children exposed to rich language environme
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Clear NCERT-aligned notes on अभिप्रेरणा एवं संवेग for Class 11 Psychology.
- अभिप्रेरणा एवं संवेग | Class 11 Psychology Notes
Clear NCERT-aligned notes on अभिप्रेरणा एवं संवेग for Class 11 Psychology.
- अभिप्रेरणा एवं संवेग | Class 11 Psychology Notes
Clear NCERT-aligned notes on अभिप्रेरणा एवं संवेग for Class 11 Psychology.