PSY20020 Child & Adolescent Development

Academic Year 2020/2021

During childhood and adolescence human development is taking place at a phenomenal pace, with children learning many of the skills that are crucial to their current and future emotional well being, relationships and cognitive functioning. This module explores the complex biological, psychological and cultural factors that influence this developmental process. The module introduces and critiques the major theories of developmental psychology that underpin understanding of development during childhood and adolescence. Lectures span all aspects of child development from birth through adolescence pointing to important methodological issues and gaps in our current understanding.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to: Describe the main changes that take place in children's cognitive, social and emotional development from infancy through adolescence. Evaluate the role of biological, psychological and cultural factors in development. Evaluate the major theoretical explanations of children's development and compare these theories with one another. Assess the strength of the empirical support for the major theories of development and give examples illustrating the links between theory and empirical research.

Indicative Module Content:

This module covers a wide range of theoretical and empirical topics within child and adolescent development and usually includes (for example): brain development, perception and motor skills, memory, the ecology of childhood, prosocial and aggressive behaviour, parenting, adolescent identity and self esteem.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20

Tutorial

3

Autonomous Student Learning

102

Total

125

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Teaching and learning approaches used in the module are lectures and tutorials.
Due to COVID-19 Lectures will be offered at-distance and special arrangements for small group tutorials in-person will be made.
There will be three tutorials on weeks 7, 8 and 9. Tutorial content is related to the lectures but aims to promote debate. Tutorial sessions will be in groups of 25 students once a week. Each tutorial will have four sessions in-person and one session online. Students at higher risk for coronavirus will have a preference for attending the online sessions.
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Intro to Child Development (PSY10070)


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Multiple Choice Questionnaire: Multiple choice exam delivered via Brightspace Week 5 n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

40

Group Project: The Group Project is a 1600-word essay in APA style presenting theory (60%) and research (40%) in Developmental Psychology with focus on one out of the three topics (children, adolescents or parents). Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% Yes

60


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will receive feedback on their MCQ score automatically from Brightspace