03079 - Developmental Psychology

Course contents

During the course, the students will be asked to learn the main developmnetal theories, as well as the main developmental milestones. In particular these are the course main contents: 

Theoretical issues of Developmental Psychology

 Research methods and designs

 Biological factors and prenatal development 

The development of sensory and perceptual functions

 The development of knowledge according to Piaget, Vygostsky and HIP approaches 

Language and communicative development

 Emotional and social development

 Peer relationships in prescool and schoolage children: play, friendship, peer cultures

 bullying and cyberbullying

Readings/Bibliography

1. Santrock, Psicologia dello sviluppo, Custom Publishing -Create  Brighi-Nicoletti  eds (both the editions 2013-14 or 2014-2015 are ok, but not the original uncostumized version of the textbook), Edizioni McGraw-Hill.

2.     In this book please DO NOT study the following chapters: :

a.        3: La comunicazione in Psicologia;

b.      13: il Disturbo Distimico;

c.       20: La cultura.

Study only the part as indicated below from the following chapters: 

cap. 4 " Dagli inizi biologici alla nascita" studiare da pag.98 dal paragrafo "3.2.4 La prospettiva epigenetica e l'interazione Geni X Ambiente (G x A)" in poi; da lì in avanti tutto.

In the chapter  "Approccio dell'elaborazione delle informazioni" do study from  pag. 214 to 236;

chapter 18: “La scuola”, study only  frompag. 584 a 593 ( i disturbi dell'apprendimento” e 606-616 (case study).

Dove non indicato si deve studiare tutto!

Precisiamo che i numeri di pagina da considerare sono riferiti all'edizione personalizzata; l'indice da considerare è il primo (INDICE) in apertura del libro. I numeri di pagina a cui si fa riferimento sono quelli nell'angolo superiore della pagina dentro al quadratino grigio. 

 2.Genta M.L., Brighi A., Guarini A., (2009). Il Bullismo elettronico, Roma Carocci. Studiare SOLO i capitoli 1,2,3,4 (pp. 23-88).  


3. Genta M.L., Brighi A., Guarini A., (2013). Il cyberbullismo, ricerche e strategie di intervento, Milano, FrancoAngeli. Studiare SOLO cap. 5 (pp.62-74), 7 e 8 (pp. 91-121). 

 4. Linee guida per il diritto allo studio degli alunni e degli studenti con Disturbi Specifici di Apprendimento. Ministero dell'istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca. Allegate al Decreto Ministeriale 12 Luglio 2011. Testo disponibile nel sito http://hubmiur.pubblica.istruzione.it/alfresco/d/d/workspace/SpacesStore/76957d8d-4e63-4a21-bfef-0b41d6863c9a/linee_guida_sui_dsa_12luglio2011.pdf

Teaching methods

Lessons, discussion of clinical cases, discussion on multimedial didactic products, supplying materials for individual study.

Assessment methods

The examination aims to assess the achievement of the following learning objectives:

· In-depth knowledge of development theories, knowing how to illustrate the themes, methods and content in a critical way, and developing comparisons between different authors.

· Ability to use this knowledge to discuss the different areas of development (emotional, social, cognitive, language) using a specific and appropriate language.

· Ability to use the knowledge related to the development in order to interpret problematic situations and suggest possible interventions.

The examination is performed in writing and includes an assessment of thirty/30. In addition to responding to some questions (three), about theories that relate to the areas of development, students will be proposed a "case study" in which they will demonstrate their ability to apply the tools (theoretical and methodological) acquired to draft a plan of action or critically discuss the case, using a specific language appropriately and proposing possible solutions theoretically founded. By way of example, the handbook by Santrock has an exercise area for students, which has some cases and multiple-choice questions on the various chapters of the manual, on which to practice independently (http://www.ateneonline.it/santrock). Alternatively, it may be presented a research paper in which the student will have to make a critical analysis, highlighting the theoretical approach, the methodology, the main results and discussing the findings in light of theories of development.

The final evaluation shall be the arithmetic average of the valuations obtained in each individual questions and discussion of case studies or research article and therefore relates to the whole exam its entirety. The student is able to pass the written test (and also provide the maximum grade) without attending the course. During the test, lasting 90 minutes, is not allowed the use of support material such as textbooks, notes, computer media. Only for students who present an LD, supported by appropriate certification, there will be possible to provide oral examinations or with the help of computer specially provided by the university. Students must then notify the teacher at least 15 days prior to the incurrence of the examination and to agree arrangements for individualized verification. The exam registration is required via bulletin board, in compliance with mandatory deadlines of the university of Bologna. Those who do not succeed to enroll by the due date, are required to report promptly (and in any event before the official closing of the subscription lists) the problem to the Secretary's office. The teacher shall have the right to admit to the examinations.

The verbalization of the evaluation test are possible after the acceptance of the evaluation on Almaesami. It is possible to examine the test and ask for clarification about the evaluation in one month following the call in which you took the exam. T

For detailed information about verbalization of exams, see also the website of the professor. Graduating students who pass the exam and need to verbalize the vote in advance of the scheduled date, are invited to notify the teacher by means of an e-mail message to be sent immediately after passing the test.

Office hours

See the website of Antonella Brighi

See the website of Annalisa Guarini