Which term describes developmental changes that occur in a set pattern and are common to most individuals?

• A. Normative Changes
• B. Non Normative Changes
• C. Developmental Milestones
• D. Maturation

Answer: (A)

Normative changes are developmental changes that follow a predictable pattern and occur across most individuals. This reflects shared timing in growth, influenced by biology and typical environmental experiences, so we can expect similar sequences of change as children grow—like how certain motor or language skills tend to emerge within established age ranges. Non-normative changes describe atypical or individual-specific developments that deviate from the common pattern. Developmental milestones are specific achievements along the development path (markers), not the overall pattern itself. Maturation refers to the biological unfolding that enables development, focusing on the process rather than the shared pattern across the population.