Introduction to Developmental Psychology (Theory)

Paper Code: 
25CPSY311
Credits: 
04
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course aims at providing conceptual foundation of human development, along with a focus on development in the different domains with an emphasis on the cultural context.

 

Course Outcomes: 

Course

Course Outcomes

Learning and teaching

strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

25CPSY311

Introduction

CO41:              Demonstrate             an

Approach

Class             test,

 

to

ability   to           understand           and

in

Semester end

 

Developmental

distinguish major theoretical

teaching:

examinations,

 

Psychology

perspectives                               and

Interactive

Quiz, Solving

 

(Theory)

methodological                         approaches

Lectures,

problems                in

 

 

in human development.

Discussion,

tutorials,

 

 

CO42:      Understand               the

Reading

Assignments,

 

 

contributions    of                     biological

assignments,

Presentation,

 

 

factors and cognitive factors

Team

Individual

 

 

toward      shaping               human

teaching

and           group

 

 

development.

Learning

projects

 

 

CO43: Develop an insight

activities

 

 

 

into the current trends of

for               the

 

 

 

media and its influence on

students:

 

 

 

development

Self-learning

 

 

 

CO44:                              Acquire

assignments,

 

 

 

understanding     of                        gender

Effective

 

 

 

typing,

questions,

 

 

 

expectancies and gender-role

Simulation,

 

 

 

development.

Seminar

 

 

 

CO45: Develop an ability to

presentation,

 

 

 

identify   the             milestones             in

Giving tasks,

 

 

 

diverse domains of human

Field

 

 

 

development                       across                     life

practical

 

 

 

stages.

 

 

 

 

CO46: Contribute effectively

 

 

 

 

in course-specific interaction.

 

 

 

12.00
Unit I: 
Issues and Theories in Development Psychology:

Concept of Human Development; Theories: Psychoanalytical, Behaviouristic, Social learning, Ethology, Evolutionary and Ecological; Methods of Studying Human Development: Observation, Longitudinal, Cross-sectional research

12.00
Unit II: 
Physical Development:

Biological factors in Human Development; Genetics, Congenital defects, and prenatal influences, birth process and complications, Nature-nurture debate in Human Development.

Development of Self-concept: Development of Self-concept, Self- Esteem: The Evaluative Component of Self, Development of Achievement Motivation and Academic Self-Concepts, Identity Formation.

12.00
Unit III: 
Cognitive Development:

Nature and Approaches; Piaget, Vygotsky, Information-Processing Perspective - Introduction to Multistore model, Language: Structure of language, theories of language development

Moral Development: Cognitive and Behavioural components of Morality, Theories of Piaget and Kohlberg

12.00
Unit IV: 
Context of Human Development - Family:

Role of Family - The Ecological Systems Viewpoint: Bronfenbrenner’s Contexts for Development, Understanding the Family, Parental Socialization During Childhood and Adolescence, Social Class and Ethnic Variations in Child Rearing, Influence of Siblings and Sibling Relationships, Sibling Relationships over the Course of Childhood, Positive Contributions of Sibling Relationships

Context of Human Development - Social Milieu: Peers as Agents of Socialization, School as a Socialization Agent, The Effects of Television on Child Development, Child Development in the Digital Age

Attachment and Development: Attachments as Reciprocal Relationships, Fathers as Caregivers, Factors That Influence Attachment Security, Attachment and Later Development

12.00
Unit V: 
Sex Differences and Gender-Role Development:

Defining Sex and Gender, Categorizing Males and Females: Gender-Role Standards, Developmental Trends in Gender Typing, Theories of Gender Typing and Gender-Role Development

Problems of Aging: Physical, Cognitive and Psychological development in late adulthood; Problems of aging; Markers for successful aging

Essential Readings: 
  • Berk, L.E. (1989). Child Development, Boston : Allyn & Bacon.
  • Santrock , J.W. (1999). Lifespan Development. New York : McGraw Hill.
  • Shaffer. D.A.(2014). Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence, 9th, USA: Cengage Learning

Suggested Readings

  • Barnes, P. (1995). Personal, Social and Emotional Development.Oxford : Blackwell.
  • Berry, J.W., Dasen, D.R. and Saraswathi, T.S. (1997). Handbook of Cross-cultural psychology : Basic Processes and Human Development. New York: Allyn and Bacon.
  • Gilligan, C. (1982). In a Different Voice : Psychological Theory and Women’s Development. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
  • Mishra, G. (Ed. 1999). Psychological Perspective on Stress and Health. New Delhi: Concept.
  • Taylor, I. (1976). Introduction to Psycholinguistics. New York: Holt.
  • Vygotsky, L.S. (1962). Thought and Language. Cambridge: NIT Press.
  • Vygotsky, L.S. (1978). Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.

E Resources

  • Introduction to Developmental Psychology: A course offered by The University of Queensland on EDx. Access Via: https://www.edx.org/learn/human-psychology/the- university-of-queensland-introduction-to-developmental-psychology

 

Academic Year: 
2025-2026
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