The Developing Child: A Psychological Perspective

• Credit value: 30 credits at Level 4
• Convenor: to be confirmed
• Assessment: four pieces of coursework

This module aims to review the psychological changes which take place from birth through to the end of adolescence.

Indicative module content

• Concepts and methods: the module will begin with a discussion of the history of the study of developmental psychology, a consideration of research methodologies (including a discussion of the particular ethical concerns when studying this particular group) and key concepts and theoretical perspectives. Major theories of child development will be described and discussed as well an exploration of the role of heredity and environment. Concepts of childhood and adolescence across ages and cultures will be introduced.
• Infancy: we will explore pre-natal development, influences and the birth process as well as aspects of early neuropsychological development. We shall then examine what infants can and cannot do, the process of attachment and bonding with caregivers and differences in temperament.
• Social development: we shall explore key issues in a child’s social development. This will include how children develop an understanding of other people and develop attachments to them, the role of family, and the development of identity including gender and sex roles and moral development.
• Language and cognitive development: we will explore how children learn to speak, how they acquire reasoning and conceptual understanding and how they think at different stages of childhood and adolescence. We will also explore the relationship between language and thought, how children learn to read and how they acquire mathematical skills.
• Adolescence: the module will end by considering aspects of the nature of adolescence and the problems faced. We will consider how the physical and cognitive changes in adolescence affect feelings and behaviour.

By the end of the module, you will be able to:

• outline and evaluate major theories of psychological, social and cognitive development, focusing particularly on the typical development of the child as an individual
• demonstrate an understanding of the development of ideas within this field, and of contemporary approaches and issues.
• describe, discuss and evaluate a range of research methodologies that might be appropriate to the study of this area of psychology (identifying strengths and weaknesses of core methodologies)
• identify the ethical issues when conducting research in this area (with particular consideration of harm)
• illustrate the practical applications of research findings
• think critically about the subjects covered
• present your own ideas about issues addressed on the course
• discuss and implement a range of strategies to support your learning
• successfully plan and write essays or other assignments which have been set to support your learning on this course.