Dear students,

welcome to the Developmental Psychology course.

Objectives and outcomes of the course

This course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of developmental psychology, focusing on the fundamental principles and laws that govern human development.

It will explore the biodromal perspective, the characteristics of different developmental stages, and the specific needs and challenges faced by children and adolescents.

The course will delve into various aspects of development, including physical, motor, cognitive, emotional, moral, volitional, social, personality, and self-esteem. It will also examine typical forms of learning, stimulation, and potential problems at different stages.

Additionally, the course will address the relationship between education, generations, and understanding children and adolescents. It will emphasize the specificity of developmental stages, their impact on individual differences, and the importance of a lifelong learning approach.

After completing the course, students will be able to:

•     Demonstrate a foundational understanding of contemporary developmental psychology, including its methods and principles of periodization.
•     Differentiate between maturation and learning processes and their contextual influences.
•     Comprehend the principles of developmental changes, critical and sensitive periods, and developmental crises.
•     Understand key developmental theories that contribute to understanding personality functioning in adulthood.
•     Identify the specific characteristics and challenges associated with various stages of human ontogeny.
•     Analyze the development of basic mental functions and their social context.
•     Recognize the needs associated with social and emotional development in children and adolescents.
•     Understand representative theories of cognitive development and learning in different age stages.
•     Identify school-relevant developmental phenomena, such as skills development, learning, attention, motivation, and executive functions.
•     Analyze the development of self and identity within a developmental context.
•     Recognize potential disturbances in mental development.
•     Work effectively with scientific literature and apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations.
•     Apply knowledge of mental function development to understand interactions in specific situations.

   Structure of the course

    The content of lectures and this interactive syllabus is divided into chapters:

Schedule and Time Requirements

We will have regular on-site meetings according to the schedule provided in the Information System (IS).

Each chapter should take approximately 1-2 hours to read. The chapters of the interactive syllabus will be accessible from the beginning of the semester. I recommend browsing through all the topics and content to plan and manage your own study time. Some topics may be of particular interest to you, and time can fly when you're reading about them.

Especially for combined students, I understand the challenges of work-life balance, which may not always align with "continuous or prescribed" study time. Please manage your time as you see fit, but be sure to browse the contents so you can estimate your own time requirements.

Each lecture will contain a reading chapter. To get the most from the text we recommend to follow this script.

1) Answer the "Questions for thought" before reading -  answering these questions will help you to  prepare for the content of the text, reflect on your expectations of the text, and place the read information into the overall context.

2) Read the texts - The most important parts that will be vital for your future studying and practice are highlighted.

3) Answer the "Questions after Reading" -  answering these questions will help you determine if you have mastered the key knowledge that will be required in the final test.
 

Form of Instruction

Lectures, Discussions

Communication

Contacting the Teacher

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask them during lectures, office hours, or via email at terskub@mail.muni.cz.

Communication with other students attending the course: Discussion forum (Diskusní fórum) on a link below

(will be added in Spring 2025)

Resources

Exploring developmental psychology: understanding theory and methods. Edited by Margaret Harris. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications, 2008, xiv, 345 p. ISBN 9781412903356. info
The Oxford handbook of developmental psychology. Edited by Philip David Zelazo. New York: Oxford University Press, 2013, xx, 624. ISBN 9780199958474. info
GEDDES, Heather. Attachment in the classroom : the links between children's early experience, emotional well-being and performance in school. First published. London: Worth Publishing, 2006, vii, 152. ISBN 9781903269084. info

  

Course Completion Requirements  and Assessment Methods

Study Materials: Students must read the texts in the interactive syllabus and be prepared to answer related questions.
Lectures: Attendance is voluntary, but participation is encouraged for discussion opportunities.

Portfolio task: Write an essay (1-2  pages ) on a topic "How has the school shaped my development?"

Assessment: A final online test with 20 multiple-choice questions will evaluate understanding of basic terms, phenomena, and theories. A minimum of 13 correct answers is required to pass

Introducing developmental psychology as a discipline

Questions for thought:

What was your motivation for enrolling in the course?

What are your expectations from the course?

What questions do you want to be answered during the course?