Developmental Processes

Abstract

Based on the conceptual claim that action develops and that the psychological processes that comprise action develop, the goal of this chapter is to conceptualize what happens during the development of action and how action develops. Organismic-developmental theory is used to explain what happens during action development in terms of differentiation and integration, and in terms of progress toward cultural goals of development. Sociocultural theory is used to explain how action develops as individuals participate with others in cultural practices. The chapter further considers how action develops through individual, social, cultural, bodily, and environmental processes. The chapter ends with a discussion of how development is relevant to all of psychology and need not be treated as a fragmented subfield or area of specialization.