Human development accounts for approximately 10% of Paper A marks (roughly 15 of 150 questions). The content covers attachment theory, cognitive development, psychosocial development, moral development, and developmental psychopathology. Questions often present a clinical vignette and ask which developmental concept best explains the presentation.
Attachment Theory
Bowlby proposed that attachment is an innate biological system keeping the infant close to the caregiver for protection. The internal working model formed in infancy influences relationships throughout life. Bowlby’s phases: pre-attachment (0-6 wks), attachment-in-the-making (6 wks to 6-8 mo), clear-cut attachment (6-8 mo to 18-24 mo), goal-corrected partnership (from 18-24 mo). The maternal deprivation hypothesis from Bowlby’s 44 juvenile thieves study proposed that prolonged separation leads to affectionless psychopathy and cognitive delay.
Ainsworth’s attachment styles (Strange Situation):
- Secure (60-65%): Explores freely, distressed at separation, easily soothed on reunion. Sensitive, responsive caregiving.
- Insecure-avoidant (15-20%): Little distress, avoids caregiver on reunion. Rejecting/unresponsive caregiving.
- Insecure-ambivalent (10-15%): Intense distress, difficult to soothe, seeks and resists contact. Inconsistent caregiving.
- Disorganised (5-10%): Contradictory behaviours (freezing, stereotypies, approach-avoidance). Maltreatment or caregiver trauma. Strongest link to later psychopathology.
Cognitive Development: Piaget
- Sensorimotor (0-2): Object permanence at 8-12 months
- Preoperational (2-7): Symbolic thinking, egocentrism, lack of conservation
- Concrete operational (7-11): Logical thinking about concrete events, conservation achieved
- Formal operational (11+): Abstract reasoning, hypothetical thinking (~1/3 of adults reach this)
Psychosocial Development: Erikson (8 Stages)
Trust vs Mistrust (Hope, 0-1), Autonomy vs Shame/Doubt (Will, 1-3), Initiative vs Guilt (Purpose, 3-6), Industry vs Inferiority (Competence, 6-12), Identity vs Role Confusion (Fidelity, 12-18), Intimacy vs Isolation (Love, 18-40), Generativity vs Stagnation (Care, 40-65), Ego Integrity vs Despair (Wisdom, 65+).
Moral Development: Kohlberg
Preconventional (obedience, self-interest), Conventional (interpersonal accord, social order), Postconventional (social contract, universal ethics). Based on responses to the Heinz dilemma.
Vygotsky
Emphasised social learning driving development (contrary to Piaget’s maturation-first view). Zone of proximal development (ZPD) and scaffolding.
Key Recall Patterns
- Object permanence: Sensorimotor stage (Piaget, 0-2)
- Identity vs role confusion: Adolescence (Erikson, 12-18)
- Disorganised attachment + maltreatment: Strongest link to later psychopathology
- Assimilation vs accommodation: Assimilation fits new info into existing schemas; accommodation modifies schemas
- 44 juvenile thieves study: Bowlby, maternal deprivation hypothesis
PsychStar’s Paper A question bank covers human development with questions calibrated to exam depth. Start with 5 free questions at psychstar.io/try.