Which psychological approach emphasizes changes throughout the entire lifespan?

The correct choice emphasizes developmental psychology as it focuses specifically on the changes that occur throughout a person’s entire lifespan. Developmental psychology is concerned with understanding how individuals grow and change from infancy through old age, encompassing a wide array of factors such as cognitive, emotional, and social development.

This approach studies various stages of life, including childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and aging, highlighting the significant milestones that define each period. It recognizes that development is a continuous process influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, and includes both qualitative and quantitative changes.

In contrast, cognitive psychology primarily focuses on mental processes such as perception, memory, and problem-solving, without an explicit emphasis on lifespan changes. Behavioral psychology centers on observable behaviors and the ways they are learned, often neglecting the ongoing changes within individuals over time. Lastly, social psychology examines how individuals are influenced by the presence and actions of others, primarily focusing on social environments rather than the developmental trajectory over an individual's life.