Which term describes development driven by genetic factors and maturation rather than learning?

Which term describes development driven by genetic factors and maturation rather than learning?

• A. Maturation
• B. Psychosis
• C. Systematic Desensitization
• D. Defense Mechanisms

Answer: (A)

Maturation describes development driven by genetic factors and the natural sequence of biological growth rather than learning. It refers to the biologically programmed timeline by which abilities and behaviors unfold as the nervous system and body mature. Milestones like rolling over, sitting, walking, first words, and puberty tend to occur in a similar order for most individuals, largely independent of specific teaching or practice. Learning can shape and refine skills, but the overall trajectory is set by maturation. The other terms pertain to different ideas—psychosis is a mental disorder, systematic desensitization is a therapy method for phobias, and defense mechanisms are unconscious coping strategies—so they don’t describe development governed primarily by genetic maturation.

Maturation describes development driven by genetic factors and the natural sequence of biological growth rather than learning. It refers to the biologically programmed timeline by which abilities and behaviors unfold as the nervous system and body mature. Milestones like rolling over, sitting, walking, first words, and puberty tend to occur in a similar order for most individuals, largely independent of specific teaching or practice. Learning can shape and refine skills, but the overall trajectory is set by maturation. The other terms pertain to different ideas—psychosis is a mental disorder, systematic desensitization is a therapy method for phobias, and defense mechanisms are unconscious coping strategies—so they don’t describe development governed primarily by genetic maturation.