What is the next area of study with regards to human development?

Answer 1

I don't know if this strictly falls strictly under human development. But the American Psychological Association has been pushing the study of "Positive psychology." The feeling is that current psychology is geared too much toward treating mental illness and not enough toward maximizing happiness and optimism.

So now there are a number of new studies underway to determine what happiness is, what kind of personalities are happiest, etc.

It may be associated in part with the aging of the boomers. The geriatric population tends to be less happy, so psychologists may be bracing for ways to improve the quality of life for the boomers as they age.

Martin Seligman, a past president of the APA, started the new movement:

"In 1946, the Veterans Administration was created, and practicing psychologists found they could make a living treating mental illness," he wrote last year in the American Psychological Association Monitor. "In 1947, the National Institute of Mental Health was created, and academic psychologists discovered they could get grants for research on mental illness." Two of psychology's original missions -- nurturing greatness and making life fulfilling -- were lost, according to Mr. Seligman.

Answer 2

from a psychological standpoint, there is an emphasis in Geriatric studies of human development in that the baby-boomer populace is now aging, and there is an increasing demographic shift.
Other psychologies have been veniewing the "life-course" perspective, thereby covering brith to death.

As for development of humanity, cybernetic technologies seems to be the key to the future - we've tried evolution, now some want to try going beyond cultural practice to culturally acquired evolution at it's finest.

Answer 3

I think we should focus on more important issues like the real reason we are here. Study that and all others will seem like a waste of time. We are special on this planet , and it doesn't make sense that evolution caused our mental abilities and our development. Study that, that will be a worthwhile accomplishment.

Answer 4

We are close to being able to correct genetic defects before birth. Will we be able to correct mental problems through genetics as well? Are there genetic triggers that make one person a hard driving professional athlete and someone else a violent person.

Answer 5

no new area , i guess, brain is still under developement, universal id is not new, and nanotech is still working

Answer 6

develpmental psychology