11th NCERT Psychology Chapter 3

Development refers to the changes that have a direction and hold a definite relationship with what precedes and follows it, while growth is an increase in the size of body parts and maturation refers to changes that follow an orderly sequence and are largely dictated by the genetic blueprint.

The life-span perspective on development emphasizes that various processes of human development, including biological, cognitive, and socio-emotional aspects, are interwoven throughout a person's life-span, and development is multi-directional with different dimensions showing increments or decrements. Additionally, development is highly plastic, influenced by historical conditions, and studied by multiple disciplines like psychology, anthropology, sociology, and neurosciences.

Developmental tasks are tasks or challenges that individuals face during specific periods of their lives, which are influenced by their physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development. For example, in childhood, a developmental task could be learning to walk, while in adolescence, a task could involve forming one's identity.

Socio-cultural factors influence development by shaping an individual's experiences and opportunities based on the cultural norms, values, and practices of their society. For instance, the career orientation of students today differs significantly from those 50 years ago due to changes in societal expectations and structures.

In a developing child, cognitive changes progress from preoperational thought characterized by egocentrism and animism to concrete operational thought marked by the ability to perform reversible mental actions on concrete objects. This shift allows children to think logically, focus on different characteristics of objects, and consider various perspectives when problem-solving or retracing steps if needed.