Every person who is even a little interested in science is well aware that all nature is based on development and movement forward. In particular, each of us goes in our development from a simple cell to a complex organism. Knowing this, you will be able to answer with sufficient accuracy the question of
what is ontogenesis. This concept is often found in pseudoscientific literature, but not everyone knows the definition of this term.
We will try to clarify this issue by talking about this most important concept in simpler words. So, if we talk about the scientific interpretation, then ontogenesis is the sequence of all qualitative changes in the body from its birth to death.
But what is ontogenesis in a simpler way? Simply put, this is the totality of all changes: biochemical, morphological, physiological, and even mental, that a person or other biological species undergoes during his life. Thus, ontogenesis is fundamentally different from simple development, as it is a more complex and far from always predicted phenomenon.
In addition, this concept is closely related to society: if an individual lives in a prosperous society, then his ontogenesis will go in a way radically different from that for a person who was born and lives in a dysfunctional environment. The main difference between the two individuals in this case will not even be external signs and well-being, but the ability to fully realize the potential laid down by nature. For example, with equal opportunities, the former may become a scientist, while the latter will not succeed due to the poor quality of the social environment. So what stages of human ontogenesis precede the emergence of a mature personality?
Enumerate all of them for a long enough time, and therefore we say that any period of a person’s life (infancy, adulthood) is at the same time a stage of ontogenesis. However, much more often, researchers operate on stages that divide a person’s life into generalized periods. Consider the stages of human ontogenesis in more detail. The embryonic, juvenile period, stages of maturity, reproduction, and also old age are distinguished. The most important in the sociological aspect is the juvenile period. If you have ever heard that character is laid in childhood, then it is not difficult to understand the reason for this.
It is in the juvenile period that the individual’s ability to communicate with society is laid. Subsequently, changes can be made, but this will require a lot of effort. The first and subsequent stages no longer play such a pronounced role in the psychological moment of ontogenesis, since their importance is more important for the physiological, biochemical, biological aspects of the development of a human being.
So, we can draw some conclusions: what is ontogenesis? In biological terms, this is the process of all qualitative and functional changes that the body undergoes throughout its existence. In psychological and sociological terms, this process can be roughly defined as a psychophysiological personality formation. We hope that we clarified a little what ontogenesis is, and you learned about its importance in relation to human development.