PSY2001 : Developmental Psychology
- Offered for Year: 2023/24
- Module Leader(s): Dr Bess Price
- Owning School: Psychology
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
Aims
To develop a thorough understanding of developmental processes in eight major areas: perception, cognition, language, social cognition, conceptual change, theory of mind, morality, and lifespan development. To appreciate the empirical approach to these areas and develop critical thinking in these topics.
This course focuses on the development of core cognitive abilities from birth through to childhood, as well as looking at how humans develop throughout their lifespan. The approach taken is cognitive – how does an infant learn about the world, in order to become a functioning adult? What perceptual and memory systems must develop to support our feeling of ourselves as unique, reflective individuals? The course also looks at how individuals develop emotions, and how emotions and morality function to integrate the person into the social group. We will then look at an example of developmental dysfunction, autism, and its possible causes.
Outline Of Syllabus
Research methods and theoretical approaches in child development
Language development
Face perception
Number concept
Object concept
Cognitive development: Information processing and social context
Social cognition
Moral & emotional development
Autism Spectrum Disorder and Theory of Mind
Adolescence, adulthood and ageing
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 22 | 1:00 | 22:00 | Present in person |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 42:00 | 42:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 6 | 1:00 | 6:00 | Synchronous online |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 30:00 | 30:00 | N/A |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The lectures are used as the principle and most effective mode of imparting the core knowledge of the module. The question and answer sessions are used to impart and discuss knowledge and understanding. Workshops will help students to consolidate knowledge gained through lectures. These include two essay writing workshops designed to help students practice their academic writing skills, familiarise themselves with marking criteria and receive constructive feedback. The private study is essential for in-depth review of knowledge imparted through lecture materials.
Formative practice will be gained via essay workshops and interactive sessions.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 90 | 1 | A | 100 | MCQs (45), essay questions (1 out of choice of 3), unseen, PIP Inspera invigilated. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The MCQs and essay questions are used to assess knowledge, independent learning and understanding of material; and the ability to integrate this material, to communicate it clearly, and to demonstrate critical thinking and an original approach.
FMS Schools offering Semester One modules available as ‘Study Abroad’ will, where required, provide an alternative assessment time for examinations that take place after the Christmas vacation. Coursework with submissions dates after the Christmas vacation will either be submitted at an earlier date or at the same time remotely.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- PSY2001's Timetable