PSYCH 212Introduction to Developmental Psychology

3 credits · Psychology · Penn State

Developmental psychology involves the scientific study of the social, emotional, and intellectual changes that enable progression from infancy to adulthood. As part of a scholarly discipline, scientific field, and professional activity, the overall focus of developmental psychology is the scientific study of age-related changes in emotions, cognitions, language, personality and social relations and the relationships of these changes to familial, peer, and cultural experiences, biological development, and personal efforts to make sense of the social and object worlds. As an important area of psychological science, developmental psychology is a domain of research in which investigators analytically and systematically study behavior and experience to develop theories and principles and to understand their application to real-world situations. As part of a profession, developmental psychology involves the practical application of knowledge, skills, and techniques for enhancing the well-being and quality of life of children, adolescents, and their families, as well as the development of age-relevant solutions to and strategies for the prevention of individual and social problems.This course provides an overview of the field of developmental psychology, including its history, research methodologies, theories, and applications. Specific topics include but are not limited to the biological bases of development, parent-infant attachment, the development of sensation and perception, cognition and linguistic development, emotional development, moral development, and identity development. Content is presented through a combination of lectures, readings, activities, and demonstrations. Evaluation is primarily on the basis of objective exams.