PS406-5-AU-CO:
Developmental Psychology
2024/25
Psychology
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 5
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 13 December 2024
15
07 May 2021
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BA 63C2 Psychological Studies,
BA 63C3 Psychological Studies (Including Year Abroad),
BA 63C4 Psychological Studies (Including Placement Year),
BA C801 Psychology (Including Year Abroad),
BA C802 Psychology,
BA C807 Psychology (Including Foundation Year),
BA C810 Psychology (Including Placement Year),
BSC C800 Psychology,
BSC C803 Psychology (Including Year Abroad),
BSC C811 Psychology (Including Placement Year),
BSC C812 Psychology (Including Foundation Year),
BSC C806 Psychology with Cognitive Neuroscience (Including Year Abroad),
BSC C808 Psychology with Cognitive Neuroscience,
BSC C809 Psychology with Cognitive Neuroscience (Including Placement Year),
BSC C813 Psychology with Cognitive Neuroscience (Including Foundation Year),
MSCIC999 Psychology with Cognitive Neuroscience,
MSCICA98 Psychology with Cognitive Neuroscience (Including Placement Year),
MSCICA99 Psychology with Cognitive Neuroscience (Including Year Abroad),
BSC C814 Psychology with Economics,
BSC C815 Psychology with Economics (Including Year Abroad),
BSC C816 Psychology with Economics (Including Placement Year),
BSC C817 Psychology with Economics (Including Foundation Year),
MSCIC998 Psychology with Advanced Research Methods,
MSCICB98 Psychology with Advanced Research Methods (Including Placement Year),
MSCICB99 Psychology with Advanced Research Methods (Including Year Abroad),
BSC C680 Sport and Exercise Psychology,
BSC C681 Sport and Exercise Psychology (including Year Abroad),
BSC C682 Sport and Exercise Psychology (including Placement Year)
The module provides an introduction to the main theories of developmental psychology with a specific focus on Piaget's theory of development, followed by a topical approach that combines theories and research on prenatal development, early sensorimotor development, cognitive and social development, as well as patterns of behaviour in typical and atypical development.
Classical and contemporary theoretical views of child development are contrasted, highlighting key issues and current controversies for each topic. The module also examines methods of research in developmental psychology, and provides an overview of the key ethical issues that surround research with vulnerable populations.
The module provides an overview of psychology across the lifespan, with a focus on classical and contemporary theoretical views of child development, whilst highlighting the importance of appropriate research methods and designs. This approach will familiarise students with classic and up-to-date research, and encourage them to carry out independent research of scientific papers and apply the knowledge gained in class to written work (e.g. lab report).
As part of the module’s assessment, students will analyse research data on children’s cognitive development using tools and methods learned about in class. In addition, they will be evaluated on a multiple-choice questions (MCQ) exam that will test their understanding of the key topics learned throughout the module.
The specific learning outcomes are as follows:
1. Apply research methods learned about in class to analyse and report developmental data.
2. Acquire an understanding of key theoretical issues and concepts in developmental psychology.
3. Develop critical thinking skills in evaluating the relative strengths of methodological approaches and theoretical accounts of developmental psychology.
4. Communicate ideas effectively by producing written empirical reports.
Learning outcome 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be assessed by the lab report coursework and learning outcomes 2 and 3 will be assessed by the exam.
Lectures start on the hour. There will be a short break halfway through the class. Please ask questions during class if there is anything that is unclear. You will be expected to participate in classroom activities designed to support your learning.
The module consists of 10 sessions each lasting 2 hours. At the end of each lecture, we will post a series of practice MCQ questions on Moodle to test your understanding of the topics covered during class. Students are strongly encouraged to complete these practice questions after each lecture. This module will be taught by blended learning. This will combine online material and face-to-face sessions where appropriate.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Lab Report |
|
100% |
| Exam |
Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 120 minutes during January
|
| Exam |
Reassessment Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 120 minutes during September (Reassessment Period)
|
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Andrew Simpson, email: asimpson@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Andrew Simpson, Dr Helge Gillmeister, Dr Gulia Poerio, Dr Pascal Vrticka
asimpson@essex.ac.uk
Yes
Yes
No
Dr Thomas Hunt
University of Derby
Senior Lecturer in Psychology
Dr John Patrick Rae
Roehampton University
Reader in Psychology
Prof Joanne Hudson
Swansea University
Professor
Available via Moodle
Of 32 hours, 30 (93.8%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
2 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
Psychology
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