Introduction to Developmental Psychology

Paper Code: 
24CPSY311
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

24CPSY311

Introduction to Developmental Psychology

(Theory)

 

CO41: Demonstrate an ability to understand and distinguish major theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches in human development.

CO42: Understand the contributions of biological factors and cognitive factors toward shaping human development.

CO43: Develop an insight into the current trends of media and its influence on development

CO44: Acquire understanding of gender typing,

expectancies and gender-role development.

CO45: Develop an ability to identify the milestones in diverse domains of human development across life stages.

CO46: Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction.

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Reading assignments, Team teaching

Learning activities for the students:

Self-learning assignments, Effective questions, Simulation, Seminar presentation, Giving tasks, Field practical

Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual and group projects

 

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

 

Suggested Readings

  1. Barnes, P. (1995). Personal, Social and Emotional Development.Oxford : Blackwell.
  2. 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.
  3. Gilligan, C. (1982). In a Different Voice : Psychological Theory and Women’s Development. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
  4. Mishra, G. (Ed. 1999). Psychological Perspective on Stress and Health. New Delhi: Concept.
  5. Taylor, I. (1976). Introduction to Psycholinguistics. New York: Holt.
  6. Vygotsky, L.S. (1962). Thought and Language. Cambridge: NIT Press.
  7. Vygotsky, L.S. (1978). Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.

 

 E Resources

 

  1. Wolfe, D. A., Jaffe, P. G., & Crooks, C. V. (2006). Adolescent Risk Behaviours: Why Teens Experiment and Strategies to Keep Them Safe. Yale University Press. EISBN: 978-0-30012-744-7. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/j.ctt1npxh3

 

  1. 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-...

 

  1. Wishy, B. (1968). The Child and the Republic: The Dawn of Modern American Child Nurture. University of Pennsylvania Press. EISBN: 978-1-51281-939-7. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/j.ctv4rftcd

 

 

Academic Year: 
2024-25
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