Читать книгу Lifespan Development - Tara L. Kuther - Страница 48

Development is characterized by plasticity: It is malleable, or changeable. Frequently, the brain and body can compensate for illness and injury. In children who are injured and experience brain damage, for instance, other parts of the brain take on new functions. The plastic nature of human development allows people to modify their traits, capacities, and behavior throughout life (Baltes et al., 2006; Overton & Molenaar, 2015). For example, older adults who have experienced a decline in balance and muscle strength can regain and improve these capabilities through exercise (McAuley et al., 2013). Plasticity generally tends to decline as we age, but it does not disappear entirely. Short instruction, for instance, can enhance the memory capacities of very old adults but less so in younger adults (Brehmer, Westerberg, & Bäckman, 2012; Willis & Belleville, 2016). Plasticity makes it possible for individuals to adjust to change and to demonstrate resilience, the capacity to adapt effectively to adverse contexts and circumstances (Luthar et al., 2015; Masten, 2016).