Part 1 Introduction

The science of human development has many beginnings. Chapter 1 introduces what we study, why, and how, explaining some research strategies and methods used to understand how people grow and change. Pivotal are theories that provide a broad overview of the process of development. Chapter 2 traces development from the genetic interactions that produce all inherited characteristics to the first movements, sounds, and reactions of a newborn.

Throughout these chapters, the interplay of nature (heredity) and nurture (the environment) is illustrated. For instance, whether or not a person will develop type 2 diabetes at age 60 depends on both nature (the person’s genetic vulnerability) and nurture (the mother’s diet during pregnancy and the person’s exercise and eating habits). Similarly, nature and nurture interact to determine whether a 6-year-old will learn to read or a 16-year-old will get drunk. The multicontextual and multicultural aspects of development are apparent throughout the life span.