10809188Developmental Psychology
Course Information
Description
Developmental Psychology is the study of human development throughout the lifespan. This course explores developmental theory and research with an emphasis on the interactive nature of the biological, cognitive, and psychosocial changes that affect the individual from conception to death. Application activities and critical thinking skills will enable students to gain an increased knowledge and understanding of themselves and others.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Examine current research as relevant to lifespan development
    Assessment Strategies
    a written or oral response that evaluates current research
    Criteria
    apply research to issues pertinent to development
    evaluate the influence of culture on research
    compare research designs within the context of development
    apply current research in developmental psychology to one's personal and professional life

  2. Analyze key issues that influence developmental perspectives
    Assessment Strategies
    a written or oral response that identifies current developmental perspectives
    Criteria
    discuss nature/nurture issues
    compare continuity versus discontinuity across the lifespan
    identify normative versus exceptional development
    examine critical time periods and life events that impact development
    apply key issues of developmental psychology to one's personal and professional life

  3. Compare the various theoretical frameworks as they apply to development
    Assessment Strategies
    a written or oral response that identifies developmental theoretical frameworks
    Criteria
    apply the psychodynamic theoretical framework to development
    apply the cognitive theoretical framework to development
    apply the behavioral theoretical framework to development
    apply the contextual theoretical framework to development
    apply theories of developmental psychology to one's personal and professional life

  4. Evaluate the integration of genetics and environmental influences on development
    Assessment Strategies
    a written or oral response that identifies genetic and environmental influences across the lifespan
    Criteria
    recognize the impact of genetics and environment on pre-conception
    recognize the impact of genetics and environment on prenatal period
    recognize the impact of genetics and environment on early childhood
    recognize the impact of genetics and environment on middle childhood
    recognize the impact of genetics and environment on adolescence
    recognize the impact of genetics and environment on adulthood
    apply theories/knowledge base of genetic and environmental influences on developmental to one's personal and professional life

  5. Analyze developmental issues related to physical/biological changes across the lifespan
    Assessment Strategies
    a written or oral response that identifies physical/biological changes across the lifespan
    Criteria
    identify major life changes/tasks throughout the lifespan
    describe the germinal, embryonic and fetal periods of development
    describe the predictable biological changes in infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood
    apply knowledge base of physical/biological changes to one's personal and professional life

  6. Analyze developmental issues related to cognitive changes across the lifespan
    Assessment Strategies
    a written or oral response that identifies cognitive changes across the lifespan
    Criteria
    identify major life changes/tasks throughout the lifespan
    describe the predictable cognitive changes in infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood
    describe the cognitive theories of Piaget, Vygotsky, Information Processing, Gardner and Sternberg
    compare the major cognitive theoretical perspectives to more recent biological brain development research
    apply theories/knowledge base of cognitive changes to one's personal and professional life

  7. Analyze developmental issues related to psychological/emotional changes across the lifespan
    Assessment Strategies
    a written or oral response that identifies psychological/emotional changes across the lifespan
    Criteria
    identify major life changes/tasks throughout the lifespan
    describe the predictable psychological changes in infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood
    describe the psychological theories of Freud, Erikson and Levinson
    identify exceptional versus normal psychological development
    apply theories/knowledge base of social influences to one's personal and professional life

  8. Analyze developmental issues related to social changes across the lifespan
    Assessment Strategies
    a written or oral response that identifies social influences across the lifespan
    Criteria
    identify major life changes/tasks throughout the lifespan
    describe the predictable social changes in infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood
    describe historical/contextual influences on human development
    identify the impact of culture on development
    apply theories/knowledge base of social influences to one's personal and professional life

  9. Examine issues surrounding death and dying
    Assessment Strategies
    a written or oral examination of issues surrounding death and dying
    Criteria
    summarize the changes in perspective on death and dying across the lifespan
    summarize bereavement that pertain to different life stages
    differentiate normal from abnormal grief reactions
    identify sociocultural and spiritual influences on death and dying issues
    apply theories/knowledge base of issues surrounding death and dying to one's personal and professional life