03079 - Developmental Psychology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the scientific method and research designs in developmental psychology.

2. Differentiate key concepts and theories within developmental psychology with particular attention to the following fields: communication, language, cognition, emotional and relational skills.

3. Know the phases of psychological development from the first years of life up to adolescence.

4. Illustrate differences among physical, psychological, and social frames of development.

5. Identify the basic psychological needs for developing well-being in infants, children and adolescents.

6. Recognize the complex interactions between risk and protective factors during development.

7. Develop theoretical and methodological competencies to build positive dyadic and group relationships.

8. Know observational tools and methodologies in educational settings.

9. Demonstrate skills in developing educational projects.

10. Use bibliographic sources to update the professional knowledge.

Course contents

Main theoretical approaches:

• Piaget
• Vygotskij
• Bruner
  

Methods:

• Research designs in Developmental Psychology
• Observation

Developmental domains:

• Communication and language
• Emotional and affective development
• Self-consciouness

Different contexts:

• Family
• School and peers
• Culture and new technology

Readings/Bibliography

Santrock J. W. (third edition 2017 or fourth edition 2021). Psicologia dello Sviluppo. Milano: McGraw-Hill.

Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14

 

ERASMUS STUDENTS

Erasmus students with limited knowledge of Italian may choose to study the following book in English (soon to be available in the library of the Department of Education Studies G. M. Bertin):

Santrock J. W. (2021). Child Development: An Introduction (15th Edition). McGraw-Hill.
(link )

Please, study the followiong chapters:

• Chapter 1 Introduction
• Chapter 3 Prenatal Development and Birth
• Chapter 6 Cognitive Developmental Approaches
• Chapter 9 Language Development
• Chapter 10 Emotional Development
• Chapter 11 The Self and Identity
• Chapter 14 Families
• Chapter 15 Peers
• Chapter 17 Culture and Diversity

Teaching methods

The lectures will be supplemented by group discussion and short video.

Assessment methods

The exam will consist of three open questions requiring written answers (60 minutes). The maximum score for the exam is 30 with honors and 18/30 is the minimum score to pass the exam. For each answer a maximum score of 10 point will be attributed following these criteria: 1) completeness of responses; 2) consistency of the responses; 3) the ability of personal reflection; 4) appropriate lexicon and morphosyntax.

To take the exam, students have to register on the Almaesami online platform.

If the student fails the exam, s/he can enroll in the next one.

Teaching tools

The lectures will be supported by the use of Power Point presentations. Short videos related to the topics of the course will be used.

Office hours

See the website of Consuelo Mameli