PSY30040 Lifespan Developmental Psychology

Academic Year 2021/2022

This module explores developmental themes that occur across different stages of life from birth and infancy through adulthood and into old age. Although development at each stage of life has unique features, there are also important themes that recur across the lifespan. The module draws on psychosocial theory and the lifespan perspective to organize our understanding of these developmental themes including: attachment, social development, parenting, sexual behaviour across the lifespan moral development, mental health, wellbeing and body image across the lifespan, intelligence, executive functioning and numerical cognition, and ageing and health. The course will draw on an assigned textbook as well as on readings from the international peer reviewed literature.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students will be able to:
• Conceptualise development as a life long process;
• Apply the framework of psychosocial theory to specified lifespan development themes;
• Critically evaluate the empirical evidence regarding lifespan development in the thematic areas covered in the module;
• Reflect on a case study related to a lifespan development topic and draw on evidence to support our understanding of this
case study.

Indicative Module Content:

The topics that will be covered include: Lifespan theories of development e.g. psychosocial theory; attachment across the lifespan; social development; parenthood; gender and sexual development; moral development; mental health and body image; intelligence; numerical knowledge and executive function across the lifespan; and ageing.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

21

Tutorial

3

Autonomous Student Learning

80

Total

104

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures; active/task-based learning (e.g., group discussions); critical writing; case-based learning; tutorials 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

This module will draw on psychological concepts and theories. Students who have not taken modules in psychology or a related discipline would need to do additional reading to ensure that they understand the principal concepts.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Continuous Assessment: 2000 word mid-term assignment and case study Week 7 n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

50

Assignment: Written assignment based on topics covered in the module. Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

50


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Individual written feedback will be provided on both the mid term and end of term assignments via Brightspace. In addition, group /class feedback post-assessment will be provided to students in-class.

Newman, B. M. & Newman, P. R. (2017). Development Through Life: A Psychosocial Approach. 13th ed. Belmont: Wadsworth.
Name Role
Assoc Professor Amanda Fitzgerald Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Eilis Hennessy Lecturer / Co-Lecturer