Life history Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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life history

[laɪf ˈhɪstəri ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

personal development

The sequence of events in a person's life, considered as a whole, especially when documented and displayed in chronological order.

Synonyms

autobiography, biography, memoir.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
life history	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.
biography	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.
autobiography	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.
memoir	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.

Examples of usage

The life history of the famous author was filled with ups and downs.
Studying the life histories of successful individuals can provide valuable insights.
Her life history was the subject of a best-selling biography.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

biology

The series of changes undergone by an organism during its lifetime, including development, growth, reproduction, and aging.

Synonyms

developmental cycle, life cycle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
life history	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.
life cycle	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.
developmental cycle	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.

Word

Description / Examples

life history

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.

life cycle

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.

developmental cycle

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.

Examples of usage

The life history of a butterfly involves stages like egg, larva, pupa, and adult.
Understanding the life histories of different species is crucial for conservation efforts.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Biology

In biology, life history refers to the sequence of events in an organism’s lifespan, including growth, reproduction, and death.
Species adapt their life history strategies, like being born many times or just a few, based on their environment.
The life cycle can include different stages, such as larva, juvenile, and adult, depending on the species.

Anthropology

In anthropology, studying life histories helps researchers understand cultures by exploring individual experiences over time.
Oral histories are vital in many cultures, preserving the stories of elders that reflect their unique life experiences.
Life history research often focuses on personal narratives, illuminating the social context behind individuals' choices.

Psychology

Psychologists use life history approaches to help understand personality development through various life experiences.
The narrative of someone's life can reveal patterns in behavior and how past experiences shape future decisions.
Life history interviews in research help uncover the influences of early life events on mental health.

Literature

In storytelling, life histories of characters often reveal their motivations, challenges, and growth throughout the narrative.
Autobiographies and memoirs are forms of life history that allow writers to share personal journeys and insights.
Many classic novels are structured around the life journeys of characters, exploring universal themes of growth and change.

History

Historians study life histories of individuals to gain insights into wider social, economic, and political patterns across time.
The life history approach helps document the experiences and contributions of marginalized groups that traditional histories may overlook.
Biographies of historical figures often highlight life histories, sharing how personal experiences influenced significant events.

Origin of 'life history'

The term 'life history' originated in the field of biology in the late 19th century to describe the sequence of events in an organism's life. Over time, it also gained significance in personal development and history studies. Understanding life histories helps us comprehend the complexities of growth, change, and adaptation in both individuals and species.