OVERVIEW

The course introduces students to the basic knowledge of Developmental Psychology and promotes a scientific approach, both by relating theories and learned topics to research results, and through the presentation of the main research design and methodologies.

The course is aimed to lay out the foundations for the acquisition of a suitable method of study, along with other basic courses and with the orientation activities provided by the Department for the first-year students.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The goal of this course is to provide students with: a theoretical and methodological framework for the understanding of developmental processes; an introduction to the scientific study of human development, with an emphasis on processes underlying perceptual, cognitive, social and emotional development; an introduction to observation methods and techniques and their role in studying and assessing children’s development.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, students will develop the following skills: 1) critical knowledge of the main theories of psychological development; 2) ability to associate skills and psychological processes to the appropriate age and developmental stage; 3) critical knowledge of research methods and design in developmental psychology; 4) knowledge of observation methods and techniques and their role in studying and assessing children’s development; 5) communication skills and appropriate use of technical vocabulary and language.

TEACHING METHODS

The course will consist mainly in lectures, in which contents will be exemplified by means of real-life, clinical and educational examples and research results. An active participation of the students will be encouraged.

Opportunities for in-depth learning, excercises, group discussions and exam simulations will be provided during the course.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course will be organized in three parts:

Part 1. Developmental psychology: definitions; developmental stages relating to cognitive, language, social and affective development; research methods and design in developmental psychology

Part 2. Critical analysis of the main developmental theories (Piaget's theory of cognitive development and neo-Piagetian perspectives; psychoanalytic theories; Vygotsky and the sociocultural approach; the social learning theory; human information processing theory)

Part 3. Child observation: theories; introduction to methods and tools in child observation. 

The course will contribute to the achievement of the following Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Goal 3 - Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages; Goal 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lectures will be delivered in Italian. English bibliography is provided and the exam can be taken in English.

Part 1.

J. W. Santrock, K. Deater-Deckard, J. Lansford, D. Rollo, Psicologia dello sviluppo, IV edizione, Mc Graw Hill, 2021. (except for chapters 12, 13, 14, 15) (J. W. Santrock, K. Deater-Deckard, J. Lansford, Child development, 15th edition, Mc Graw Hill, 2021)

Part 2.

P. Miller, Teorie dello sviluppo psicologico, Il Mulino, 2011. (except for chapters  VI, VII, VIII) (P. Miller, Theories of developmental psychology, Worth Publishers, 2016)

Part 3.

R. Cassibba, N. Salerni. Osservare i bambini: tecniche ed esercizi. Carocci Editore (For students who do not speak Italian, this book will be replaced by English-language materials available on the e-learning platform AulaWeb)

Slides and other materials, retrievable at www.aulaweb.unige.it

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

I semester (approx. from Sept. 16  to Dec. 18) 

Class schedule

DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Written exam, including multiple choice questions and open ended questions. To pass the exam, students are required to get a score of at least 18 in both multiple choice and open ended questions.

To take the written exam, students are required to register online by selecting the entry "Esame scritto".

To register the evaluation, students are required to register online on one of the following exams by selecting the entry "Registrazione."

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The written test aims to ascertain contents and skills acquired. In particular, the multiple choice questions will focus on specific contents (e.g. developmental stages, developmental theories, methods and tools in child observation). Open ended questions will also evaluate critical skills, communication skills and appropriate use of technical vocabulary and language.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students are invited to check regularly the e-learning platform Aulaweb (www.aulaweb.unige.it) where materials and information about the present course are constantly updated.