In developmental psychology, at what stages of the life course does the development of the self typically begin and end?

• A. It begins in prenatal development and ends at adolescence.
• B. It starts in childhood and stops at middle age.
• C. It begins in infancy and continues throughout the entire lifespan, ending only at death.
• D. It begins in adolescence and ends in early adulthood.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of 'development of the self' in developmental psychology, which refers to how individuals come to understand their own identity, personality, and sense of being over time.
2. Recognize that the development of the self is a continuous process that starts early in life, specifically in infancy, when basic self-awareness begins to emerge.
3. Acknowledge that this development does not stop at a specific stage like childhood, adolescence, or middle age, but rather continues to evolve throughout a person's entire lifespan.
4. Note that the process of self-development includes changes and growth influenced by experiences, social interactions, and cognitive maturation from infancy through adulthood and into old age.
5. Conclude that the correct understanding is that the development of the self begins in infancy and continues throughout the entire lifespan, ending only at death.