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Developmental Psychology & Education - EDU00069I

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  • Department: Education
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Gill Francis
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
    • See module specification for other years: 2023-24

Module summary

This module will extend students' understanding of developmental psychology. Historical and contemporary perspectives related to key theoretical perspectives in developmental psychology will be presented. The module will explore basic issues in the study of development including social and emotional development, language and cognition. For each area of development, we will explore key changes in development including infancy, preschool, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Research methods relevant to the particular study of developmental psychology will also be explored.

Related modules

Pre-requisite modules

Co-requisite modules

  • None

Prohibited combinations

  • None

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25

Module aims

This module will extend students' understanding of developmental psychology. Historical and contemporary perspectives related to key theoretical perspectives in developmental psychology will be presented. The module will explore basic issues in the study of development including social and emotional development, language and cognition. For each area of development, we will explore key changes in development including infancy, preschool, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Research methods relevant to the particular study of developmental psychology will also be explored.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module students will be able to:

  • Examine the ways child and adolescent development, including the development of attachment and social relations, influences learner development and identity.

  • Examine sex, gender, and cultural influences on development across the lifespan.

  • Understand diverse theoretical perspectives on the ways in which social and cognitive development across the life-span impacts learners functioning in educational environments.

  • Understand the interaction between emotional, cognitive, and social development across all stages of the lifespan.

Academic and graduate skills

Students will have learned how to:

  • Formulate academic arguments in written and oral form.

  • Manage a range of sources and critically evaluate the reliability and validity of these in informing and supporting academic argumentation.

  • Analyse the ways in which theories and data from different disciplines can inform each other and enhance understanding (in this case, of development).

  • Use the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) website, and the internet for research purposes effectively.

Module content

The following is indicative of the different topics that will be covered:

  • Early childhood and attachment.

  • Middle childhood and gender identity (classic theories, e.g., Kohlberg, and more contemporary approaches).

  • Adolescent, risky behaviour, positive youth development.

  • Emerging adulthood.

  • Adulthood and ageing.

  • Longitudinal methods.

  • Cross cultural development.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay:essay 2000 words		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay:essay 2000 words		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Individual written feedback reports, with follow-up tutor meeting, if necessary. The feedback is returned to students in line with university policy. Please check the Guide to Assessment, Standards, Marking and Feedback for more information.

Indicative reading

Feldman, R.S. (2022). Development Across the Life Span, Global Edition (9th Ed.). Pearson

Gillibrand, R., O’Donnell, V.L., & Lam, V. (2018). Developmental Psychology (2nd Ed.). Pearson.

Miller, S.A. (2017). Developmental Research Methods (5th Ed.). Sage.

Smith, P.K., Cowie, H., & Blades, M. (2015). Understanding Children’s Development (6th Ed.). Wiley.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.