Developmental Psychology the Difference Between Additive and Subtractive Developmental Process

¶ … termed as a process that enables individuals to realize their potential and build confidence of one self. This enables them to lead dignified lives. Through this process individuals have the freedom to do what they want that can positively impact their lives as indicated by Aronson J. (2006). A development processes therefore entails the improvement of things that are already in existence and can be through expansion of what is already in place. It may also be termed as enlarging or transforming something that is already in existence.

Development process therefore involves the refining of things that are already in existence. This paper gives the difference between a constructive developmental process also termed as additive and a weeding out developmental process also termed as a subtractive. The development process can be categorized into a constructive developmental process or a weeding out developmental process. These categories are as a result of the varied actions or the measures that are taken to realize this development processes.

Though the two have different approaches to development process the overall effect is development as a whole. The development process entails the refining, enlargement or expansion of various aspects that bring about positive change. A constructive or additive developmental process means that the development changes that will be embraced are those that aim to enlarge or expand what is already in existence. These changes can be either in an individual or a whole community or a whole nation at large (Igbinovia, 2012).

When viewed in an individual's point-of-view then constructive developmental process can involves the following; An individual can decide to put more of his money into savings which he or she can use at a later time when there is a rising need. An individual can also decide or take up an investment project. This means that the individual has developed himself or herself economically since they will have extra or new investments at their disposal.

The choice to put money into investment or saving is itself a way of constructive development. An individual can also opt to go through education process probably in an institution of higher learning where they acquire new skills. These skills that have been acquired will make the individual more competitive in the job market. Once an individual is skilled enough they can get employment with a good pay which will make the individual develop economically. The individual will hence have development in both the intellectual and economic point-of-view.

The act of going through education is therefore what is regarded as a constructive developmental process since the individual will have an addition in his intellect. Socializing is also another way of constructive developmental process for an individual; this is because there are people or friends who can be a positive influence to an individual. This means that an individual who makes a choice to associate with friends who have positive influence on how they act and think hence a positive effect in their self development.

The choice to associate with positive thinkers is therefore considered as a constructive developmental process. Constructive developmental process can also be viewed from the perspective of a community and a nation at large. For a community or nation to be termed as developed there have to be existence of various social amenities such as schools and hospitals.

The availability of schools of all levels and institutions of higher learning throughout the nation that are put in place due to decisions by leaders in a particular nation is a sign of constructive developmental process. There will be an increase in intellectuals within that society and hence the nation will have developed in terms of research, skills and knowledge. The set up of hospitals ensures that people get access to medical care and hence the nation is a healthy one.

A healthy nation eventually trickles down to economic development since the people are in good health and good state of mind thus can work in building the nation and hence economic development of the nation. The leaders can also decide to put investments into ventures that are termed to be lucrative and hence lead to economic development of the nation. When these new investments are added to the already existing ones there will be a positive outcome in terms of increased overall profits which can be invested for more development.

All these decisions form part of the constructive developmental process. On the other hand a weeding out or subtractive developmental process is one that entails the removal of hindrances to development that exist within an individual or a nation. On an individual's basis one can make the decision to spend less than he or she usually does (the hindrance here is spendthrift attitude). Through this the individual will have some money left that he will divert to other more constructive investments and hence self development.

Some of the things that an individual may be spending on may be irrelevant and hence a decision to scrap them off is termed as the subtracting or weeding out developmental process that will lead to personal development. An individual can also make a decision not to stay in the company of people who.