Growing Minds: Understanding Development in GCSE Psychology

How do we become who we are—from tiny babies to thoughtful teens and beyond?

The Development topic in GCSE Edexcel Psychology explores just that. It’s all about how our brains, thinking, and behaviour change over time—and what influences that journey.

Whether you’re revising for exams or just curious about how humans grow and learn, this topic offers fascinating insights into the psychology of childhood, adolescence, and beyond.

From Neurons to Knowledge: Brain Development

One key focus is how the brain develops physically. Learners explore:

• 🧠 Neural connections: How experiences shape the brain’s wiring

• 🧒 Maturation: Why some abilities emerge at certain ages

• 🧬 Nature vs nurture: The age-old debate—are we born this way, or shaped by life?

Understanding brain development helps us see how learning, memory, and even emotions evolve over time.

Piaget’s Theory: Thinking in Stages

Jean Piaget’s theory is a cornerstone of this topic. He believed children go through four stages of cognitive development, each with its own way of thinking:

1. Sensorimotor (0–2 years) – Learning through senses and movement

2. Preoperational (2–7 years) – Imaginative play, but not yet logical thinking

3. Concrete operational (7–11 years) – Logical thinking about concrete things

4. Formal operational (11+ years) – Abstract reasoning and hypothetical thinking

Learners explore how Piaget tested these stages—and how his ideas still influence education today.

Dweck, Gunderson & More: Mindsets and Praise

This topic also dives into Carol Dweck’s theory of mindsets—how beliefs about ability affect learning—and Gunderson’s study on praise, which shows how the type of praise children receive can shape their motivation.

These studies help learners reflect on their own experiences and understand how psychology applies to real life.

Want to Dive Deeper?

If you're studying GCSE Edexcel Psychology, I’ve created a recorded lesson bundle that covers the Development topic in full:

• 8 recorded lessons  

• Accompanying workbook with learner-friendly tasks, word banks, and review activities

• Perfect for revision, catch-up, or extra support at home

  
  

If you’d like more details on how to purchase, just email me: psychwithgem@gmail.com

Final Thought

Development isn’t just about growing taller—it’s about growing wiser, more curious, and more aware of ourselves and others. Psychology helps us understand that journey—and empowers us to support it in others.

Let’s keep learning, reflecting, and growing—together.