Developmental Psychology
- Health Sciences
- 200 level
- 2 credit units
- 81 pages
- 13 units
This course explores the principles of developmental psychology, covering key concepts from conception through adulthood. It examines major theories, including psychosexual, psychosocial, and cognitive development, and their impact on human behavior. The course also investigates biological and environmental influences, research methods, and developmental tasks across the lifespan. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of human growth and development.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 150 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of PED221, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
PED221 · UNIT 1 DEVELOPMENT PSYCHOLOGY AS A BRANCH OF PSYCHOLOGY
Developmental psychology is a branch of psychology which deals with studying developmental changes of human and animal behaviour. The unit examines the basic concepts and nature of developmental psychology. In addition the unit x-rays scientific methods in the study of developmental psychology.
What you should be able to do
- Define developmental psychology and its key concepts
- Explain major theories of human development
- Describe the stages of prenatal, neonatal, and childhood development
- Analyze the characteristics and challenges of adolescence
- Discuss the physical, social, and psychological changes in adulthood
- Apply developmental psychology principles to real-world scenarios
What it prepares you for
- Teacher
- Counselor
- Social Worker
- Psychologist
- Childcare Provider
- Education
- Social Services
- Healthcare
- Child Development
- Mental Health
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: MAJOR THEORIES OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Unit 1: Sigmund Freudian Theory of Psycho-sexual Development
The abstract nature of the id, ego, and superego, along with the complex defense mechanisms, requires a strong grasp of psychological theory.
- Module 2: MAJOR THEORIES OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Unit 2: Behaviouristic Learning Theories of Human Development
Understanding the nuances between operant and classical conditioning, and applying them to real-world scenarios, demands critical thinking.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 71 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: BASIC CONCEPTS AND NATURE OF DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
Unit 1: Development Psychology as a Branch of Psychology · 4 hours
Define developmental psychology and its objectives.. Distinguish between growth and development.. Describe the roles of maturation and learning..
Unit 2: Basic Principles of Growth and Development in Human Behaviour · 3 hours
Explain the cephalocaudal and proximodistal laws.. Describe the principles of development.. Identify factors influencing growth and development..
- Week 2Module 1: BASIC CONCEPTS AND NATURE OF DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
Unit 3: Biological Basis of Human Development · 4 hours
Define heredity and environment.. Describe the nature-nurture controversy.. Explain chromosomal abnormalities..
Unit 4: Scientific Methods in Developmental Psychology · 3 hours
Identify and discuss scientific methods of studying developmental psychology.. Explain the applications of these methods..
- Week 3Module 2: MAJOR THEORIES OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Unit 1: Sigmund Freudian Theory of Psycho-sexual Development · 5 hours
Identify and describe the stages of psychosexual development.. Explain Freudian theory of personality structures.. List and explain ego defense mechanisms..
- Week 4Module 2: MAJOR THEORIES OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Unit 2: Behaviouristic Learning Theories of Human Development · 5 hours
Identify major learning theories of human development.. Describe operant and classical conditioning.. Outline similarities and differences..
- Week 5Module 2: MAJOR THEORIES OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Unit 3: Psychosocial Theory of Erick Erikson · 5 hours
Identify and describe stages of Erikson's theory.. Compare Freudian and Erikson's theories..
- Week 6Module 2: MAJOR THEORIES OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Unit 4: Cognitive Theory of Human Development. The Cognitive Development View · 5 hours
Explain concepts in Piaget's cognitive stages.. Describe Piagetian stages of human development..
- Week 7Module 3: PHASES/STAGE OF HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT (THE LIFE SPAN)
Unit 1: Prenatal Development · 5 hours
Discuss biological aspects of human development.. Describe stages of prenatal development.. Identify factors affecting prenatal development..
- Week 8Module 3: PHASES/STAGE OF HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT (THE LIFE SPAN)
Unit 2: Neonatal Development · 5 hours
Define neonate development/infancy.. Describe physical and motor development.. Identify characteristics of infancy..
- Week 9Module 3: PHASES/STAGE OF HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT (THE LIFE SPAN)
Unit 3: The Concept and Nature of Childhood Development · 5 hours
Explain the concept of childhood.. Describe physical, perceptual, language, mental, social, and emotional development of early childhood.. List and explain developmental tasks of infancy and early childhood stage..
- Week 10Module 3: PHASES/STAGE OF HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT (THE LIFE SPAN)
Unit 4: Adolescence Stage · 5 hours
Define adolescence.. Outline needs of adolescents.. Identify themes associated with adolescence.. List and explain developmental tasks.. State and explain problems of this stage..
- Week 11Module 3: PHASES/STAGE OF HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT (THE LIFE SPAN)
Unit 5: Adulthood Development · 5 hours
Define subdivisions of adulthood.. Identify characteristics of each subdivision.. State developmental tasks.. Describe physical, physiological, and psychological changes..
- Week 12Module 1: BASIC CONCEPTS AND NATURE OF DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
Review of Module 1 · 6 hours
Review key concepts from Module 1.. Complete practice questions.. Prepare for Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA)..
- Week 13Module 2: MAJOR THEORIES OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Review of Modules 2 and 3 · 6 hours
Review key concepts from Modules 2 and 3.. Complete practice questions.. Prepare for Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA)..
Preparing for the exam
- Create timelines for each developmental stage (prenatal to adulthood) with key milestones.
- Compare and contrast the major developmental theories (Freud, Erikson, Piaget) using a table.
- Focus on understanding the developmental tasks associated with each stage of life.
- Practice applying theoretical concepts to case studies of individuals at different life stages.
- Review tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) and address any areas of weakness.
Questions students ask about this course
What is PED221 about?
This course explores the principles of developmental psychology, covering key concepts from conception through adulthood. It examines major theories, including psychosexual, psychosocial, and cognitive development, and their impact on human behavior. The course also investigates biological and environmental influences, research methods, and developmental tasks across the lifespan. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of human growth and development.
How many units does PED221 have?
PED221, Developmental Psychology, has 13 units across 3 modules, over 81 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is PED221?
PED221 carries 2 credit units, at 200 level in Health Sciences.
Is PED221 hard?
PED221 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does PED221 take to study?
About 150 hours of study, spread across its 13 units.
How is PED221 assessed?
PED221 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with PED221?
Teacher, Counselor, Social Worker, Psychologist and Childcare Provider.