PSYCHOLOGY OF DEVELOPMENT: THEORIES AND METHODS Single channel
Chair (Coordinator) and Rapporteur: MARA MORELLI
Lecturers
Objectives
The course aims to provide the student with knowledge regarding theoretical, methodological and applicative aspects of developmental psychology. The course aims to promote the understanding of the mechanisms that underpin psychological development and the acquisition of the technical-scientific lexicon of this discipline. The descriptive frameworks of the major areas of development will be illustrated: motor, perceptual, cognitive, linguistic, emotional, affective, and social development. The particular methodological tools that characterise the field of developmental psychology will be examined
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course the student should:
a) have a basic knowledge and understanding of developmental and learning processes in the different psychological domains (motor, perceptual, cognitive, communicative-linguistic, emotional, socio-relational) from neonatal life to adolescence;
b) have a basic knowledge and understanding of the main theories explaining these processes;
c) have a basic knowledge and understanding of factors which can promote or hinder individual developmental trajectories;
d) have a basic knowledge and understanding of the observational methods used to study infancy and to collect data in developmental research.
Applying knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course the student should be able to:
a) interpret child behaviour (the behaviour of a given child in a given context) in the light of the acquired knowledge;
b) understand and analyse the scientific literature on the topics discussed in the course;
c) use some techniques for observing interaction;
d) assess validity and reliability of observational data.
Making judgements
The course aims to provide the student with the necessary knowledge in order to reflect in a critical and competent way on the phases, processes and causes of development.
Communication skills
The course aims to provide the student with the ability to describe, with appropriate scientific language, the main phases of typical development within the different psychological domains (motor, perceptual, cognitive, communicative-linguistic, emotional, socio-relational) from neonatal life to adolescence.
Learning skills
At the end of the course the student should be able to find and use bibliographic and sitographic tools in order to constantly update and deepen professional knowledge and skills.
Prerequisites
2. Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites because this is an introductive course.
Programme
3.1 Contents
FIrst part of the course (40 hours) will be dedicated to presenting the normative frames (cognitive, affective, and social development) of development with reference to the main theories. In these part of the course, 6/8 hours may be devoted to discussing examples that allow for practice in applying the theories.
Second part of the course (32 hours) will be focused on the study of different research methods in developmental psychology. The main research design and research methods in developmental psychology will be presented, with particular attention to the observational method. It will also be possible to work in small groups on national and international scientific papers that illustrate different research methodologies (and deepen the topics addressed in the first part of the course) and which will include presentation in the class-room to encourage group discussion.
Books
Santrock, J,W. Deater-Deckard, K. Lansford, J. Rollo, D. (2021) Psicologia dello sviluppo 4/ed. Mc Graw Hill
Aureli, A. e Perucchini, P. Osservare e valutare il comportamento del bambino. Bologna: Il Mulino, 2014
Additional materials (papers, slides, etc.) could be available.
Lessons mode
3.2 Methods
Lessons supported by power point slides to teach theories. Exercises about methods and other group activities and discussions to favour the ability to apply knowledge to practice. During classes, explanations will be alternated with moments in which students will be actively engaged in discussion through presentation and discussion of research manuscripts.
3.3 Participation
A regular participation is suggested.
Frequency
A regular participation is suggested.
Exam mode
4. Evalutation
Students can obtain, an evaluation of 30 points.
To pass the exam, students must in any case demonstrate that they have reached a sufficient level of preparation both on theories and on methods.
For students that will participate to the optional evaluation, the scores obtained in the optional examination will be added to the scores obtained in the final exam.
The optional examination will be evaluated for clarity of presentation, ability to use scientific lexicon and the ability to relate hypotheses of the article with the empirical data. This score will range from sufficient, good or excellent (1-3 points) depending on the quality of presentation.
The score of the optional examination will be added to the score obtained at the final exam only if a minimum score of 18 (sufficient) has been reached at the final exam.
Example exam questions
A four-year-old child, according to Piaget, is in the
a) sensorimotor stage
b) preoperational stage
c) formal operational stage
The correct answer is b.
Arguments
- What is a scientific article and how to find it (Morelli)
- Different research design in developmental psychology (Morelli)
- Data sources (Morelli)
- Different kinds of osservation (Morelli)
- Observation in practice (Morelli)
- Assessment of cognitive development (Morelli)
- Assessment of communicative and language development (Morelli)
- Assessment of social development (Morelli)
- Introduction (Di Norcia Module)
- Physical, motor, and perceptual development (Di Norcia)
- Cognitive Development (Di Norcia)
- Human Information Processing (Di Norcia)
- Intelligence (Di Norcia)
- Language development (Di Norcia)
- Emotional development (Di Norcia)
- Self Development (Di Norcia)
- Family (Di Norcia)
- Peers (Di Norcia)
Sustainability goals
- Academic year2026/2027
- Degree program to which the course belongsPsychology and social processes
- Lesson code1036163
- Year and semester1st year - 1st semester
- Activity typeAttività formative caratterizzanti
- Academic areaPsicologia dello sviluppo e dell'Educazione
- SSDM-PSI/04
- Mandatory presenceNo
- Languageita
- CFU9 CFU
- Total duration72 hours
- Hours distribution72 classroom hours