Course Details

Course Information Package

Course Unit Title	DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
Course Unit Code	PSY102
Course Unit Details
Number of ECTS credits allocated	6
Learning Outcomes of the course unit	By the end of the course, the students should be able to: Describe and compare basic theories of development and research methods in developmental psychology. Develop scientific thought and skills to discover knowledge individually as well as through cooperative learning. Develop critical thinking skills and understanding of the different processes of human development. Apply theories of learning in the description, understanding and differentiation of human behaviour and obtain a clear perception as to the role of the teacher in optimizing the cognitive, linguistic and psychosocial development of the child. Evaluate learning outcomes to improve teaching effectiveness.
Mode of Delivery	Face-to-face
Prerequisites	NONE	Co-requisites	NONE
Recommended optional program components	Δημητρίου, Λ. (2005). Τα 6 πρώτα χρόνια της ζωής.  Αθήνα: Ελληνικά Γράμματα
Course Contents	1.  Introduction: Introduction to basic concepts of Psychology, Introduction to Developmental Psychology, Theories of Development (Piaget: Theories of Cognitive Development; Erikson: Psychosocial perspective; Freud: Psychoanalytic perspective), Historical foundations of the study of development; Research Methods. 2.  Prenatal Development and the Neonatal period: Developmental milestones and characteristics; The role of genetic and environmental factors (nature / nurture debate) in development. Physical, motor, cognitive, emotional growth of the newborn. 3.  Development in Infancy: Physical, motor development of the infant (development of the brain, biological rhythms, reflexes); Cognitive development (senses, perception, learning); Language acquisition (theoretical concepts); Psychosocial development (attachment, sociability). 4.  Development of the Toddler: Physical and motor development (development of the brain, motor skills); Cognitive development (learning, concepts, memory); Language development (vocabulary, understanding of concepts); Psychosocial development (autonomy, prosocial behaviour, socialization). 5.  Development of the Preschool Child: Physical and motor development (growth and maturation); Cognitive development (Piaget’s preoperational stage; Egocentrism); Language development (vocabulary, grammar); Psychosocial development (self-esteem, gender identity, peer influence). 6. Development of the School-age Child Physical and motor development; Cognitive development (social scripts, Piaget: Concrete thought, categorisation, understanding the concept of number); Psychosocial development (Kohlberg’s moral development, Socialization, Aggression).
Recommended and/or required reading:
Textbooks	Δημητρίου, Λ. (2005). Τα 6 πρώτα χρόνια της ζωής.Αθήνα: Ελληνικά Γράμματα
References	Cole, M. & Cole, S. (2002). H ανάπτυξη των παιδιών. Αθήνα: Τυπωθύτω Shaffer, D. (2008). Εξελικτική Ψυχολογία: Παιδική Ηλικία και Εφηβεία. Εκδόσεις Έλλην.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods	Lectures, discussions, presentations, assignments.
Assessment methods and criteria	Mid-term exam, Presentation, Final exam 100%
Language of instruction	Greek
Work placement(s)	NO