Child development is defined as a field of study that–

Child development is defined as a field of study that– Options: (a) Examines change in human abilities (b) Seeks to explain behavior across the life span (c) Compares children to adults to senior citizens (d) Accounts for the gradual evolution of the child's cognitive, social, and other capacities ✅ Correct option: (d) Accounts for the gradual evolution of the child's cognitive, social, and other capacities Explanation (200+ words): Child development is a comprehensive field examining how children grow, learn, and change over time across multiple domains, including cognitive, social, emotional, and physical. While examining changes in abilities (a) or explaining behavior (b) are part of it, the field focuses on the gradual and structured evolution of capacities, taking into account milestones, environmental influences, and individual differences. It is distinct from merely comparing children to adults (c), as it emphasizes development within the child’s own stage rather than against adults. The field uses theories such as Piaget’s cognitive stages, Erikson’s psychosocial stages, and Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems to analyze growth patterns and inform educational practice. Hence, option (d) fully captures the essence of child development as a scientific discipline, which is often examined in PPSC educational psychology questions. 10 PPSC-Oriented Facts: 1. Covers cognitive, social, emotional, and physical domains. 2. Focuses on gradual evolution, not isolated events. 3. Uses milestone frameworks. 4. Piaget: cognitive development stages. 5. Erikson: psychosocial stages. 6. Bronfenbrenner: ecological systems. 7. Individual differences considered. 8. Influences curriculum and pedagogy. 9. Distinct from merely comparing children to adults. 10. PPSC exams emphasize comprehensive definitions.