Module PSYC3031: DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Department: Psychology

PSYC3031: DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Prerequisites

• Social and Developmental Psychology (PSYC2021) OR Modules to the value of 100 credits from Level 2 Applied Psychology (C810)

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• PSYS3171 Applied Developmental Psychology

Aims

• To demonstrate the inextricable link between social, cognitive and motor processes in development, and to consider how these links are manifest in normal and atypical development

Content

• The module is divided into two main components that investigate early social cognition via different techniques
• The first part covers research methods and social-cognitive theories, evaluating key aspects of infant and toddler abilities in light of current research
• Links between social and cognitive and motor development are illustrated through the infant's ability to process intentions, act jointly with another person, and focus on social information
• The emphasis is on early development, but development in later childhood is also covered
• Developmental disorders are also examined, including autism, specific language impairment and dyslexia
• The module will also cover related conceptual and historical issues in psychology

Learning Outcomes

• Detailed knowledge of key theories and empirical work in developmental psychology, and their influence on current research

• Ability to review critically and consolidate understanding of a coherent body of psychological knowledge and apply it appropriately

• Good written communication skills
• Good IT skills in word processing, data manipulation and data presentation
• Abilities to work independently in scholarship and research within broad guidelines

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Students' acquisition of detailed knowledge will be facilitated by lectures, audio-visual materials and detailed reading lists
• These modes of teaching provide students with detailed knowledge of the key theories and the skills needed to evaluate different theoretical positions in light of current evidence
• The summative essay and examination will assess students' detailed subject knowledge
• Students' skills in independently undertaking a literature search and reviewing recent material will be assessed by the summative essay
• An assessment of the range and appropriateness of sources will be included in the overall assessment of the essay
• The summative essay and written examination will effectively assess students' critical and analytical skills
• The use of a summative essay and written examination will ensure that students' written communication skills are assessed
• Feedback on the summative essays will be available from the beginning of the Epiphany term, allowing students plenty of time to benefit from feedback on this aspect of their work

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

None

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University