Survey of Developmental Psychology
This course provides an in-depth examination of lifespan development from conception to death. Students will study the theoretical contributions of many developmental scientists and examine the importance of their work in human development.
Students will also have the opportunity to learn more about the many ages and stages of development over the course of life and examine developmental milestones through the lens of cognitive, socio-emotional, and physical development.
Students also have the opportunity to apply newly acquired course content and concepts when raising their own virtual child, playing the role of a child in a simulation/gamification experience, incorporates case studies and videos, and complete assignments using an AI Chat bot. This course contains many daily assignments which will require a consistent lengthy daily commitment to the course structure and content to be successful.
Learning Outcomes
The instructor will use readings, PPTs, simulation and gamification activities, case studies, videos, and analysis of virtual parenting to facilitate students’ critical thinking and successful mastery of the following learning objectives:
- Compare and contrast theoretical perspectives used to frame developmental findings.
- Explore the importance of the parent-child relationship over time.
- Identify the basic process of brain and cognitive development over the lifespan and how developmental neuroscience contributes to our understanding of human development.
- Describe the hallmark features of physical, cognitive, and social/emotional development over the lifespan, and appreciate the inter-relationship among these domains.
- Discuss environmental influences on human development including socioeconomic status, abuse, education, niche-picking, peers, and parenting.
- Differentiate, reflect upon, articulate, and integrate ways in which lived experiences associated with culture, ethnicity, race, nationality, age, gender, and socioeconomic status influences expectations and development over time.
- Describe how the mind ages and how intelligence is expressed during adulthood.