life span development

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Kirsty Stevenson        Life Span Development        Helina

Task 5

P1.5

Describe the influences of genetic, environmental and socio-economic factors on the development of the individual

  • Genetic influences
  • Environmental factors
  • Socio-economic factors

Genetic influences

In 1993, it was explained that genetics is just a language by Jones. His words were “a set of inherited instructions passed from generation to generation”. The genes within the body contain the information or instructions needed to make living organisms. There are some very powerful genetic influences apparent in the human body, which are:

  • Downs Syndrome
  • Huntington’s Disease
  • Phenylketonuria (PKY)

Downs Syndrome

This is a disease that is present in the foetus before birth and is basically where there are only 47 chromosomes instead of the standard 46. This extra chromosome is due to the extra copy of chromosome 21. The extra chromosome cause certain characteristics to change such as:

  • Slanting eyes
  • Large tongue
  • Little fingers curve inwards
  • Flat face
  • Broad hands

Huntington’s Disease

This is a genetic abnormality which is found in the chromosome 4. An individual with Huntington’s disease, may find that 10 years before actually being diagnosed with the disease their personality will change dramatically. Also there begin to experience abnormal movements. As the disease progresses the symptoms begin to get worse. Eventually, after roughly 15 to 20 years after the first symptoms death will occur.

Environmental Factors

There are 4 major environmental factors:

  • Lifestyle factors
  • Social and Community Support factors
  • Physical Environmental factors
  • Psychological factors

Lifestyle factors

There are various factors which affect the everyday lifestyle of an individual such as; abuse, diet, exercise and stress. Abuse is a major factor of lifestyle as it affects an individual personally. It may cause the individual to become withdrawn and shut themselves away from the people who love them most. Some such cases end in suicide or other health related problems. Diet is another factor of lifestyle, such as the food we eat. This can make us become overweight if we do not eat the correct foods and take regular exercise. Exercise is an issue in everyday life as people are unaware of the dangers of not undertaking regular exercise. This causes people to gain weight alongside not eating the correct portion sizes of foods. Stress can cause many other problems for an individual, as it may cause them to withdraw or to become angry with the people closest to them. Stress occurs all the time, even due to small things changing in an individual’s life. It may cause the personality of the individual to change dramatically, and may eventually lead to severe depression and sometimes an individual taking their own life.

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Social and Community Support factors

There are many services available to an individual for different aspects of life. Such as, family and friends are there to help with the worries of college and school, as well as being able to give advice for certain topics. The health services are available to help with any health problems that an individual may have, such as giving up smoking, the NHS run a support group to help the individual to quit the habit. Social class is also a factor which has been addressed, as many service are also available in order to ...

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