Life history: meaning, definitions and examples

Can refer to a detailed account of someone's life, sometimes focused on specific events or themes. May be used in both academic and casual settings.

• The professor asked us to write the life history of a historical figure.
• His life history is filled with adventure and resilience, making it a captivating story.

Written by someone else about another person. Useful for a more objective perspective, often including research and interviews.

• The biography of Steve Jobs detailed his innovation and impact on technology.
• Our class read a biography about Marie Curie for our science project.

Written by the person who lived the experience. Ideal for sharing personal insights, thoughts, and feelings.

• In her autobiography, the actress revealed the challenges she faced in Hollywood.
• The politician's autobiography became a bestseller, giving readers a glimpse into his personal life.

A personal account focusing on specific memories and experiences, often written in a more literary style.

• Her memoir about growing up during the war was both touching and enlightening.
• The chef's memoir included recipes along with anecdotes from his culinary career.

Used to describe the series of changes or events in the life of an organism or entity. Often utilized in biology, psychology, or social sciences to provide a detailed account of an individual's or species' life.

• The scientist wrote a detailed life history of the elephant to understand its behavior.
• Her life history was filled with challenges and triumphs.

Describes the course of events from the birth, growth, reproduction, and death of an organism or process. Frequently used in biology, project management, and product development to outline distinct phases.

• The butterfly’s life cycle includes the stages of egg, larva, pupa, and adult.
• Understanding the product life cycle can help businesses better manage their products from inception to decline.

Refers to the stages of growth and development an organism goes through from birth to maturity. Commonly used in fields focused on growth patterns such as developmental biology or child psychology.

• The developmental cycle of a frog includes stages such as egg, tadpole, and adult.
• Studying the developmental cycle of children helps educators create more effective learning programs.