Skip to main content Skip to navigation

PS218-15 Developmental Psychology

Department
Psychology
Level
Undergraduate Level 2
Module leader
Hester Duffy
Credit value
15
Module duration
12 weeks
Assessment
33% coursework, 67% exam
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry
Introductory description

The module builds on the first year developmental module of PS112 'Psychology in Context' by exploring current research in infancy, childhood and adolescence.

Module web page

Module aims

The key findings in Developmental Psychology will be linked to examples from atypical development and education. The module is necessarily selective and focuses primarily on cognitive and social development in childhood. The module links with the adult cognitive and social psychological literature, particularly in the areas of reasoning, language and social relationships.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Developmental beginnings
Cognitive development
Language development
Memory and Number development
Cognitive development in wider contexts
Children’s close relationships
Peers, popularity, and views of the self
Moral development
Understanding of emotions and mental states
Adolescence
Revision
Revision

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • Understand classical and contemporary theoretical views of child development.
  • Describe and evaluate the main findings in cognitive developmental psychological research.
  • Describe and evaluate the main findings in social developmental psychological research.
  • Show an understanding of how different influences interact in development.
Indicative reading list

Gillibrand, R., Lam, V., & O’Donnell, V. (2011). Developmental Psychology. Harlow: Prentice-Hall
Slater, A. & Bremner, J.G. (2011). An Introduction to Developmental Psychology (2nd ed). Oxford: Blackwell
Thornton, S. (2008). Understanding Human Development. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan.

Subject specific skills

critical evaluation of psychological research, understanding how different influences interact in development, employ evidence-based reasoning and examine issues associated with the range of methodologies;

Transferable skills

make appropriate use of journal articles, and of research catalogues to locate relevant articles
use a range of established techniques to initiate and undertake critical analysis of information
effectively communicate information, arguments and analysis

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 12 sessions of 2 hours (16%)
Seminars 4 sessions of 1 hour (3%)
Private study 122 hours (81%)
Total 150 hours
Private study description

guided student study

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.

Assessment group D2
Weighting Study time
Critical review 33%
Online Examination 67%
Feedback on assessment

Essays via annotated paper copy and academic guidance form; exam performance via personal \r\ntutor or online.

Past exam papers for PS218

Post-requisite modules

If you pass this module, you can take:

  • PS348-15 Issues in Families and Development

Courses

This module is Core for:

  • Year 2 of UPHA-VL78 BA in Philosophy with Psychology
  • Year 2 of UPSA-C800 Undergraduate Psychology

This module is Core optional for:

  • Year 2 of UIPA-C8L8 Undergraduate Psychology and Global Sustainable Development
  • Year 3 of UPSA-C804 Undergraduate Psychology with Education Studies
  • Year 2 of UPSA-C802 Undergraduate Psychology with Linguistics

This module is Optional for:

  • UECA-3 Undergraduate Economics 3 Year Variants
    • Year 2 of L100 Economics
    • Year 2 of L100 Economics
    • Year 2 of L100 Economics
  • UECA-LM1D Undergraduate Economics, Politics and International Studies
    • Year 2 of LM1D Economics, Politics and International Studies
    • Year 2 of LM1D Economics, Politics and International Studies
  • Year 2 of UPSA-C804 Undergraduate Psychology with Education Studies

This module is Core option list A for:

  • Year 3 of UPSA-C802 Undergraduate Psychology with Linguistics