Module: Developmental Psychology across the Lifespan

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Developmental Psychology across the Lifespan
Module Code	PSYC504 (ITS) / PSY1059 (Banner)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Psychology
Module Co-ordinator	Emma Nicholson
Module Teachers	Simon Dunne
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

Coursework Only

Description

This module aims: To increase the students’ knowledge and critical awareness of the theoretical and research approaches relevant to development across the lifespan from childhood through adulthood; to encourage students’ critical evaluation of the current approaches and evidence base across the core areas of physical, cognitive, educational, social, emotional, sexual and psychological health and wellbeing in the field of developmental psychology; to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to handle complexity in the area in a developmental and integrative manner; and to prepare students to act as knowledgeable contributors to the field of developmental psychology.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the key concepts and controversies at the forefront of lifespan development.
2. Appreciate the complexity of social and environmental factors and contemporary contexts pertaining to developmental psychology and their potential impact on individual developmental outcomes across the lifespan.
3. Formulate judgements on current issues in the area through critical reviews of the literature.
4. Evaluate research methodologies employed in applied developmental psychology and consider the application of research for policy and practice
5. Integrate knowledge on broad themes and communicate same in a clear, concise and scholarly manner

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	20	Lectures based on indicative content and learning outcomes
Tutorial	4	Mentor and student led tutorials
Assignment Completion	30	No Description
Independent Study	71	Required reading, literature searches and other independent learning
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction to Lifespan Development: Childhood to Adulthood

Theoretical approaches to and contemporary conceptualisations of lifespan development
Review of major and contemporary themes

Research in Lifespan Development
Review of research methods and applications of research

Transitions Across the Lifespan
Stability and change throughout the lifespan

Cognitive Development
Cognitive Development and Functioning

Contexts Of Development
Contexts Of Development across the lifespan: Family, Social, cultural, political

Psychological Health and Well-being Across the Lifespan
Psychological Adaption and Mental Health; Resilience and Risk Across the Lifespan

Aging
Physical, Social and Psychological Changes; Positive Aging Perspectives

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Assignment	Provide a summary of research in the field and consider the implications of the findings for policy and/or practice in the area of Lifespan Development.	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Kuther: 2018, Lifespan Development in Context: A Topical Approach, SAGE, UK,
Santrock, J. W.: 2018, Essentials of Life Span Development, 5th, McGraw Hill, New York, US,
Lerner, R. M., Jacobs, F., & Wertlieb, D.: 2005, Applied Developmental Science: An Advanced Textbook, Sage Publications, Inc, Thousand Oaks, California,
Crafter, S., Maunder, R., & Soulsby, L: 0, Developmental Transitions: Exploring stability and change through the lifespan, Routledge, New York, NY,

Other Resources

None