Module: PSY6002-20 Developmental Psychology

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Dr Cordelia Sutton

Module Tutor Contact Details: c.sutton@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

This module will examine the major themes in developmental psychology within the context of infant, child and adult development. Important aspects of individual development through the lifespan will be considered in the light of current debate and new exciting theoretical and research findings occurring within psychology per se. You will also be introduced to research and clinical fields in which developmental psychologists are most active in professional roles.

The aims of this module are:

1. To enable you to acquire knowledge of psychological theories regarding individual development and apply this to situations where things go wrong.

2. To introduce you to different perspectives on development.

3. To create enthusiasm for this interesting and expanding area and to gain insight to contemporary theories being applied to development.

4. To provide you with an insight to employability in this area.

To enable you to reflect on this area as part of their PDP.

2. Outline syllabus:

The syllabus includes a detailed examination of developmental psychology research and theory, with a view to giving you a firm grounding in the core ideas and issues in developmental psychology, as well as professional roles taken by developmental psychologists across a broad range of topics. These topics include:

• What is Developmental Psychology and What Can You do with It? (focus on Employability)

• Themes in Developmental Psychology

• Methodological Approaches in Developmental Psychology

• Prenatal Development and Birth

• Infant Cognitive Abilities

• Early Social Interactions

• Attachment, Bonding and Caregiving

• Cognitive Development: Piaget’s Theory

• Cognitive Development: Piaget’s Critics

• Stages in the Acquisition of Language

• Explaining Language Acquisition: Is There a Language Instinct?

• Stages of Theory of Mind

• Autism: Links with Theory of Mind Deficiencies

• Development of the Self and Social Identity

• Development of Sex and Gender Roles

• Learning in a Social Context

• Importance of Play for Social and Cognitive Development

• Aggression and Victimisation

• Socialization: Impact of Parents, Siblings and Peers

• Moral Development

• Individual Differences in Development

• Changes in Brain Structure with Age

• Deprivation and Enrichment: Cycles of Development

3. Teaching and learning activities:

Teaching: Lectures and seminars.

Learning: Through lectures and seminar activities and formative assessment based on each lecture in a MCT format. Through PDP Independent Reflective Learning.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: 2500-word essay.

• % Weighting: 50

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: EXAM

• Description: unseen 2-hour exam

• % Weighting: 50