Growth and development are affected by a number of different factors:

  • Physical factors
  • Social and emotional factors
  • Economic factors
  • Environmental factors

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Physical Factors

Genetic Inheritance:

We share some of our physical features with other people. The reason for this is we share similar genes. Long before anyone used the term gene and DNA, it was well known that physical characteristics could be passed down from parent to child.

This means that diseases can also be passed down the family line by harmful genes.

There are many physical problems and diseases that can be inherited genetically.

The most common physical problems and diseases are

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Nature or Nurture?
  • Check the definitions of nature and nurture again and then complete the table below to show if the factors listed are as a result of nature or nurture.
  • Then go on to decide if the factors are physical, environmental, intellectual, economic or social.

Factors affecting Development / Nature or Nurture? / P, En, I, Ec or S
Short-sightedness
Downs Syndrome
Having chicken pox
Having red hair
Living in a polluted area
Baldness
High level of cholesterol
Being fit and healthy
Doing well at school
Having a well paid job
Living in a high- rise flat
Having good friends

Read the text below:

3

(a) Complete the table below to identify 2 examples for each factor that is affecting Ben’s growth and development.

Factors / Examples
Economic / 1.
2.
Genetic / 1.
2.
Social / 1.
2.
Environmental / 1.
2.
Emotional / 1.
2.

(10)

(b) Explain 3 positive effects on Ben’s development as a result of attending the nursery school

(Remember these effects should be PIES !!)

1.______

______

2.______

______

3.______

______(6)

(c) Maria loses her job at the nursery school. Explain 2 ways this would affect her self-esteem.

1.______

2.______(4)

Total marks achieved______

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The effect of diet on development responses – weight - obesity - energy – weaning - healthy body - bulimia - self esteem - atmosphere/surroundings - protein - anorexia - carbohydrates – diet – dinner party – sociable – fluid - health – emotional – dehydration

  • Find the missing words to complete the paragraphs below:

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Read the text below:

Use the information given above to answer questions 3(a) and 3(b).

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3(a)Complete the table below.

Identify two examples to show how each factor has affected Steve’s growth and development.

Use each example only once.

Factors / Examples
Environmental
Factors / 1.
2.
Social
Factors / 1.
2.
Economic
Factors / 1.
2.
Physical
Factors / 1.
2.

(8)

(b) (i)Identify two factors that are positive influences on Steve’s growth and development.

Explain why each is a positive influence.

1. ______

Why positive ______

______

2. ______

Why positive ______

______(4)

(ii)Identify one negative influence on Steve’s growth and development. Explain why it is a

negative influence.

1 ______

Why negative ______

______(2)

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(c)Steve has experienced three other factors that have influenced his development. These are:

  • supportive family relationships
  • a broken marriage
  • good access to health services

Explain how these three factors in Steve’s life could interrelate (work together) to affect his

development.

______

______

______

______

______(6)

Total mark achieved______

The effects of physical activity on development

Complete the mind map below to show how exercise affects development:

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Social and emotional factors affecting development

Complete the mind map below to identify the social and emotional factors affecting development

Primary socialization – occurs as a result of our home life and the people we meet first in our lives e.g our parents, immediate family, extended family.

Secondary socialization – refers to those things that affect us as we grow and develop e.g things we learn from wider society.

  • Find the missing words to complete the paragraphs below:

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Complete this mind map with the help of a partner to identify the positive features of friendships:

Complete this mind map with the help of a partner to identify the positive effects of educational experiences on growth and development:

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Effects of employment on growth and development:

In the table below identify how having a job can affect all areas of personal development:

Development / Positive affects of having a job
Physically
Intellectually
Emotionally
Socially

Extension Activity – Case study of Belinda

Read the case study below and then answer the following questions:

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(a) Complete the table below to identify examples for each of the factors listed which have affected Belinda’s growth and development:

Factor / Example
Genetic Factors / 1
2
Physical factors / 1
2
3
4
Intellectual factors / 1
2
3
Social factors / 1
2
Economic factor / 1

(12)

(b) Identify 2 positive influences on Belinda’s growth and development and explain why each is positive:

1______

Why positive______

______

2______

Why positive______

______(4)

Total mark achieved______

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The effect of life experiences on growth and development

These are experiences such as birth, marriage, divorce and death – but there are many more in between!!

  • Work in a group to complete the separate activity sheet and then copy some of the factors below:

Economic factors

Complete the table to show the meanings of the terms listed:

Economic factors / Examples
Income
Savings
Essential bills
Debts
Material possessions

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Environmental Factors

Environmental factors are the conditions people live in. They include:

  • Housing conditions
  • Pollution
  • Access to health and welfare services

Read the text below:

3a) Complete the table below.

Factor / Examples
Environmental factors / 1.
2.
Social factors / 1.
2.
Economic factors / 1.
2.
Physical factors / 1.
2.

(8)

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(b)(1) Identify 2 positive influences on Shona’s growth and development and explain why each is a positive influence.

1______

Why positive ______

2.______

Why positive______

______(4)

(b)(ii) Identify 1 negative influence and explain why it is negative.

1.______

Why negative______

______(2)

(c) Explain how 3 different factors in Shona’s life could interrelate (work together) to affect her self-esteem :

(6)

Total mark out of 20 ______

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