Psychology of Development

Code:

116

Acronym:

116

Instance: 2015/2016 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Course/CS Responsible:	Sports Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
LCD	180	First Degree in Sports Sciences (2011/2012)	1	-	3	30	81

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

This curricular unit is fundamental for preparing professionals in different areas of Sport and Physical Education and is intended to review and deepen basic knowledge of human development over the course of the lifespan. Various developmental theories and theoretical conceptions are presented and critically analyzed regarding changes across a broad range of topics, including physical and motor skills, and cognitive, socio-emotional and moral development.
Another objective is to develop awareness in students to the importance of knowledge and observation of children’, adolescents’ and adults’ development from prenatal to death, analyzing and exploring the practical implications and applications of the major theories of development, so as to empower the students to properly and correctly select the best intervention methods in different practical situations in Sport and Physical Education domains.

Learning outcomes and competences

At the end of the semester the students should be able to:
i) describe major theoretical approaches, topics studied by psychologists, and research methods used to investigate in general psychology;
ii) analyze issues surrounding some of the major topics and research methods used by developmental psychologist within the framework of relevant theoretical perspectives;
iii) Evaluate the integration of genetics and environmental influences on development;
iv) Analyze developmental issues related to physical/biological changes across the lifespan;
v) Analyze developmental issues related to cognitive changes across the lifespan;
vi) Analyze developmental issues related to socio-emotional changes across the lifespan;
vii) Analyze developmental issues related to moral changes across the lifespan;
viii) Examine issues surrounding death and dying.

Working method

Presencial

Program

INTRODUCTION TO DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
The emergence of Psychology as a science; the object of study in psychology; research methods and techniques in psychology; science versus common sense; applied psychology: developmental Psychology

GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND AGING
Fundamentals of growth and development: observation, explanation and prediction in developmental psychology; physical growth and development: controversy nature vs. nurture

Child and adolescent development: physical and motor development, early intervention and early experience, cognitive development, socio-emotional development, moral development.

Development in adulthood and old age: developmental tasks in different domains

Mandatory literature

Crain William; Theories of development. ISBN: 0-13-913476-X
Dacey John S.; Human development. ISBN: 0-697-36429-1
Rayner Eric; Human development. ISBN: 0-415-09887-4
Santrock John W.; Life-span development. ISBN: 0-697-36439-9
Sugarman Leonie; Life-span development. ISBN: 0-415-05163-0
Sprinthall Norman A.; Psicologia educacional. ISBN: 972-9241-37-6

Complementary Bibliography

Berryman Julia C. 070; A^Psicologia do desenvolvimento humano. ISBN: 972-771-507-9
Paul Maria Constança; Psicologia dos idosos. ISBN: 972-96044-2-8
Birren James E. 340; Handbook of the psychology of aging. ISBN: 0-12-101263-8
ULL; Developmental psychology. ISBN: 0012-1649
Piaget Jean; A Psicologia
ULL; Child Development. ISBN: 0009-3920
ULL; Infant and Child Development. ISBN: 1522-7227
ULL; Developmental Psychology. ISBN: 0012-1649
Thomas R. Murray; Comparing theories of child development. ISBN: 0-534-35579-X
Cohen Stanley 340; Life-span developmental psychology. ISBN: 0-89859-971-7

Teaching methods and learning activities

1.º Lectures
2.º Text-analysis, assignments
3.º Debates, class discussion
4.º Report-back sessions, giving students a chance to reflect on experience and learn autonomously

keywords

Social sciences > Psychological sciences

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	15,00
Teste	45,00
Trabalho escrito	40,00
Total:	100,00

Eligibility for exams

Students will only be eligible for the final exam if:
i) they attend at least 75% of theoretical classes and 75% of practical classes
ii) their grades in each of the evaluation componentes (i.e., theoretical and practical) is at least 47.5% of the final grade

Calculation formula of final grade

Different items will be counted toward students’ final grade. The following are the percentages for each:
Theoretical component (60%)
i) normal season: Assignments/ quizzes – (3 values each) and Final examination – 3 values (total 12 values)
ii) recovery season: Final examination – 60%
Practical component
Group work – 40%