Current Topics in Developmental Psych. (PSYC40001)
HonoursPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
July
Principal Coordinator:
Prof Katherine Johnson
kajo@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
| Availability | July |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
The subject aims to provide students with the ability to critically review advances in developmental psychological research by analysing answers to questions about how best to conceptualise the impact of genetic, environmental, neurological, cognitive, behavioural, and cultural factors on the developing child.
Four themes/questions reoccur in the subject:
- What is the correspondence between developmental models and the research methods used to evaluate those models?
- What are typical and/or atypical developmental trajectories?
- What are the most appropriate developmental assessment measures and procedures?
- What are the sources of variation in a child’s life that set the trajectories of their development?
Intended learning outcomes
Knowledge
On completion of the subject students will demonstrate knowledge of:
- developmental models and developmental research methods
- typical and atypical developmental trajectories
- ways to measure child performance
- the relationships between genetic, environmental, neurological, cognitive, behavioural, and cultural aspects of development
Skills
On completion of the subject students will have developed skills to:
- interpret data based on typical and atypical developmental trajectories from a clinical assessment perspective
- review contemporary research claims
- identify meaningful outcomes and limitations of developmental tests
- make an argument, based on current empirical research
Application of knowledge and skills
On completion of this subject students will be able to apply their knowledge and skills to:
- critically evaluate perspectives on genetic, environmental, neurological, cognitive, behavioural, and cultural aspects of development
- evaluate the adequacy of the correspondence between developmental models and research methods uses to evaluate those models
- Demonstrate an understanding of the relationships between different factors important to the development of children.
- write a clinical report based on child developmental data
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students will have had the opportunity to develop skills in:
- comparing different approaches
- presenting, developing, and supporting an argument for a position and anticipating criticism
- interacting with peers to facilitate respectful development of communication and listening skills
- writing analytical and argumentative essays and a clinical report
Last updated: 4 March 2025