Year
2024Credit points
10Campus offering
Prerequisites
PSYC500 Introduction to Psychology: Science and Practice
Unit rationale, description and aim
In order for human functioning to be understood, it needs to be examined within a developmental context, therefore examining psychological development across the lifespan is a key area of practice and research in psychology. This unit focuses on the main areas of developmental psychology, taking a lifespan perspective and is designed to highlight the main theories and seminal research in developmental psychology, thus providing an overview of current understandings in the field and explore the real-world application of this knowledge. It examines aspects of physical, cognitive, social and emotional development. Attention is also given to the research methods typically used in the study of development. Finally, the unit explores topics relating to professional ethics and contemporary issues in the field, including those relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The aim of this unit is to introduce and describe key concepts within developmental psychology.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
| Learning Outcome Number | Learning Outcome Description | Relevant Graduate Capabilities |
|---|---|---|
| LO1 | Demonstrate a broad and coherent understanding of theoretical perspectives and research related to development across the lifespan | GC1, GC4, GC9, GC10, GC12 |
| LO2 | Apply knowledge of research design, methodology and ethics to issues pertinent to developmental psychology | GC1, GC2, GC3, GC7, GC8, GC9, GC11 |
| LO3 | Critically analyse theoretical issues and research in developmental psychology | GC1, GC3, GC4, GC7, GC8, GC9, GC10, GC11, GC12 |
| LO4 | Critically evaluate and apply developmental psychology knowledge to complex social issues including those relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples/communities | GC1, GC4, GC5, GC9, GC10, GC12 |
Content
Topics will include:
- Theoretical perspectives including stage and continuous models of change, learning and maturity.
- Methods of studying development across the lifespan: including observational techniques, cross sectional and longitudinal methods.
- The role of heredity and environmental factors.
- Ethical issues relevant to developmental psychology.
- Biological, cognitive, social, moral, gender identity, sexual and emotional development, including the development of self.
- Implications for psychological health and wellbeing arising out of intergenerational interactions with a focus on Aboriginals & Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Maintenance and promotion of healthy development.
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
Teaching and learning strategies utilised in this unit will support students in meeting the aims and achieving the learning outcomes relevant to this unit as well as to the broader course learning outcomes. This unit uses an active learning approach to support students in the exploration of knowledge essential to the discipline, and opportunities to practice and apply their learning in situations similar to their future professions. Students are provided with choice and variety in how they learn. Students are encouraged to contribute to asynchronous discussions, interact with peers through these discussion forums, and engage with online modules and readings via the online learning platform. Activities encourage students to bring their own examples to demonstrate understanding and application, and to engage constructively with their peers. Collaboration with peers in the online environment will support students in considering, discussing and debating the content of the unit and will also facilitate group work. These learning and teaching strategies assist students in developing their knowledge and application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation of that knowledge in the field of developmental psychology. Students will receive regular and timely feedback on their learning, which includes information on their progress.
Assessment strategy and rationale
In order to pass this unit, students must:
- demonstrate the achievement of all learning outcomes
- complete and submit all of the assessment tasks
- obtain an aggregate mark of at least 50%
The assessment strategy for this unit allows students to demonstrate their acquisition of knowledge, as well as the application of that knowledge. The group presentation provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate their grasp of key concepts and their ability to synthesise information learnt throughout the course in meaningful ways. It also provides an opportunity to work collaboratively with peers and apply interpersonal skills and teamwork. The research proposal enables students to demonstrate their ability to critically evaluate and synthesise research literature in order to develop a relevant developmental research topic along with its hypotheses and methodology. Understanding of concepts and critical analysis of developmental issues is assessed via multiple choice and short answer questions in the end of term exam.
Overview of assessments
| Brief Description of Kind and Purpose of Assessment Tasks | Weighting | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
Assessment Task 1 - Group Presentation Students will work collaboratively with peers to demonstrate their oral communication skills, teamwork skills and their understanding of developmental psychology theories to examine a social issue. | 30% | LO1, LO3, LO4 |
Assessment Task 2 - Research Proposal Students will demonstrate their ability to critically evaluate literature in order to develop a research proposal which contains hypotheses and methodology. | 30% | LO2, LO3 |
Assessment Task 3 - Final Exam Students will demonstrate their understanding and application of knowledge of the concepts in the unit through multiple choice and short answer questions. | 40% | LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4 |
Representative texts and references
Australian Psychological Society (2007). Code of ethics. Australian Psychological Society.
Berk, L. (2018). Development through the lifespan: International edition (7th ed.). Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.
Feldman, R.S. (2018). Development across the lifespan (8th ed.). Pearson.
Hoffnung, M., Hoffnung, R.J., Seifert, K.L., Hine, A., Ward, L., Pause, C., Swabey, K. Yates, K., & Burton Smith, R. (2019). Lifespan development: A topical approach (4th ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
Santrock, J. W. (2019). Lifespan development (17th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
Sigelman, C.K., De George, L., & Cunial, K., Kohler, M., Ballam, N. & Rider, E.A. (2022). Life-span human development: Australia and New Zealand (4th ed.). Cengage Learning.