Developmental Psychology
Catalog Description: Theory and research on psychological development from birth through adulthood.
Goals: The primary goal of this class is to teach students how to think like developmental psychologists. Because the field of developmental psychology is so massive and touches on so many different areas and concepts, it is impossible to teach “all there is to know” about developmental psychology. It is, however, possible to practice asking the right questions. Important theories and research will be covered because these are fundamental to what developmental psychologists believe and what they do. But rather than rote memorization, it is the goal of this course for students to walk away with a deeper understanding of developmental psychology, and how to apply it in a practical way.
Objectives: By the end of this class, students should have a working knowledge of overarching principles, issues, and theories of developmental psychology.
Catalog Description: Theory and research on psychological development from birth through adulthood.
Goals: The primary goal of this class is to teach students how to think like developmental psychologists. Because the field of developmental psychology is so massive and touches on so many different areas and concepts, it is impossible to teach “all there is to know” about developmental psychology. It is, however, possible to practice asking the right questions. Important theories and research will be covered because these are fundamental to what developmental psychologists believe and what they do. But rather than rote memorization, it is the goal of this course for students to walk away with a deeper understanding of developmental psychology, and how to apply it in a practical way.
Objectives: By the end of this class, students should have a working knowledge of overarching principles, issues, and theories of developmental psychology.
- Human development is lifelong, multidimensional and multidirectional, plastic, multidisciplinary, contextual, and involves growth, maintenance and regulation.
- Development is a co-construction of biology, culture and the individual
- Developmental issues of Nature vs. Nurture, Universal vs. Context Specific, Stability vs. Change, Active vs. Passive, and Continuity vs. Discontinuity
- Ability to compare and contrast psychological theories, evaluate research, and translate what was learned to day-to-day issues surrounding human development.
- Familiarity with importance of developmental psychology in a variety of contexts, both within the field of psychology and outside of the field.