Module: Life Span Development Psychology

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Life Span Development Psychology
Module Code	PSY1023 (ITS: PSYC200)
Faculty	Psychology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

Module Aim: To enable the students to gain a knowledge base of development across the life span from conception through childhood and adulthood emphasising the implications for understanding mental health from multiple perspectives.

Learning Outcomes

1. Summarise the principles of life span development and be able to relate them to real world situations
2. Identify the basic research methods used to study development across the life span
3. Apply major theories of life span development to understand people and mental health issues
4. Discuss physical, cognitive and socio-emotional development across the life span, acknowledging continuities and changes
5. Demonstrate an awareness of the relationship between parental mental illness and child development

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Group work	20	Group work
Independent Study	41	No Description
Assignment Completion	40	Assignment Preparation
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20967	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Ciara Mahon	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Group presentation	Small group presentation based on journal articles	50%	n/a
Essay	n/a	50%	Week 1

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Indicative Syllabus
This module will build on previous work in psychology completed by students.

Introduction to life span developmental psychology
Principles, theories and research methods.

Childhood
Physical, cognitive and socio-emotional development and the implications for mental health

Adolescence
Physical, cognitive and socio-emotional development and the implications for mental health

Adulthood
Physical, cognitive and socio-emotional development and the implications for mental health

Growing Older
Physical, cognitive and socio-emotional development and the implications for mental health

Special topics
Parental mental illness and impact on the child (COPMI)

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Boyd, D.R, Bee, H.L.: 2019, Lifespan development, Pearson, Harlow, UK,
Cattan, M. Tilford, S.: 2006, Mental health promotion: a lifespan approach, Open University, Maidenhead,
Gross R.D.: 2015, Psychology: the science of mind and behaviour, Hodder Arnold, London, UK,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

1: website, Barnados,
415032: 1, website, COPMI,