Developmental Psychology of Adult and Late Adulthood

Code:

LPSI206

Acronym:

PDAI

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Psychology

Instance: 2024/2025 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Psychology
Course/CS Responsible:	First degree in Psychology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
LPSIC	205	Official Curricular Structure	2	-	6	54	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

 The objectives of the classes:
- Promote the reflection on adulthood and older development, considering perspectives and concepts covered in the course;
- Enable students to identify the adults and late adulthood most significant life contexts, the underlying processes and the main changes that occur in the life cycle, and the impact on the individual reorganization and/or the systems in which he/she participates; - Awareness among students to the importance of the senses psychological, social and cultural notion of aging;
- Raise awareness and frame the psychologist's role in promoting the psychological development of adults and older adults in a multisystemic perspective.

Learning outcomes and competences

It is expected that the student will be able to:

- Problematize and discuss development in adulthood and aging in light of the concepts and the theoretical perspectives approached in this unit;
- Identify the most significant developmental contexts of the adult and older adult, the underlying processes and the main changes that occur in the life cycle, as well as the impact on the individual reorganization and/or on the systems in which they participate;
- Discuss the psychological, social, and cultural meanings of the aging process;
-To approach the psychologist's role in promoting the psychological development of the adult and older adults according to a multisystemic perspective.

Working method

Presencial

Program

I. Study of lifelong development – ​​brief historical perspective

II. Theoretical perspectives of adult and older adult development: 
1. The perspective of the life cycle of Baltes;
2. Erikson and the developmental tasks of the adult years.

III. Differential contexts of the development of adults and older adults:
- The relationships across time; friendship; romantic relationships; the family and the changes in parenthood and the marital system; work, retirement, and the organization of leisure and free time.

IV. Ageing in the context of development:
- Social and historical representations about aging;
- Challenges of longevity to the social organization;
- Biopsychossociological conceptions of aging;
- Intergenerational ties and the development of several generations;
- Death, loss, and grieving processes; 
- Active Aging

V. The role of the psychologist in promoting development and quality of life in adulthood and late adulthood: knowledge of the primary contexts where the psychologist can exercise.

Mandatory literature

Cavanaugh John C.; Adult development and aging. ISBN: 0-534-52066-9
Demick Jack 340; Handbook of adult development. ISBN: 0-306-467858-5
Wilmoth Janet M. 340; Gerontology. ISBN: 0-8261-0230-1
Erik H. Erikson; Infância e sociedade
Erik H. Erikson; Vital involvement in old age. ISBN: 0-393-31216-X

Complementary Bibliography

Baltes, P.B.; The many faces of human ageing: toward a psychological culture of old age., Psychological Medicine, 21, 837-854, 1991
Baltes, P.B.; Theoretical propositions of life-span developmental Psychology. On the dynamics between growth and decline, Developmental Psychology, 23, 611-696, 1987
Magai Carol ed. lit.; Handbook of emotion, adult development, and aging. ISBN: ISBN 0-12-464995-5
Vandenplas-Holper Christiane; Desenvolvimento psicológico na idade adulta e durante a velhice. ISBN: 972-41-2157-7
Marchand Helena; Temas de desenvolvimento psicológico do adulto e do idoso. ISBN: ISBN 972-8535-69-4
Whitbourne Susan Krauss; Adult development and aging. ISBN: 0-471-45821-X
Oliveira José H. Barros de; Psicologia do envelhecimento e do idoso. ISBN: 972-8082-67-3
Fonseca António Manuel; Desenvolvimento humano e envelhecimento. ISBN: 972-796-156-8
Paúl Maria Constança; Psicologia dos idosos. ISBN: 972-96044-2-8
V. L., Bengtson, D., Gans, N. M., Putney & M. Silverstein ; Handbook of theories of aging., New York: Springer Publishing Company, 2009

Comments from the literature

In each class is recommended bibliography according to the themes addressed

Teaching methods and learning activities

Methods of oral presentation of the thematic subjects in the context of the large group; Intentional creation of opportunities for discussion based upon contributions of teachers and students; Deepening and systematization of knowledge upon suggested readings and autonomous search of materials; The last lesson is dedicated to a round table with psychologists working in the field with adults and older adults. Autonomous study and research

The practical classes will be mainly dedicated to the discussion, elaboration, and reflection about the topics discussed in theoretical courses by viewing and discussing videos, interviews, news, texts, the contact with the contexts of intervention, and other materials that promote the discussion related to issues of course unit; each group will be responsible for the reflection and discussion dynamization of one of the issues.

Software

Não aplicável

keywords

Social sciences > Psychological sciences > Psychology > Developmental psychology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Teste	70,00
Trabalho laboratorial	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	60,00
Frequência das aulas	54,50
Trabalho laboratorial	47,50
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

The evaluation does not include Attendance in theoretical classes, but the student must attend 75% of practical lessons.

Calculation formula of final grade

The theoretical component weighs 70%, and the practical component of 30% of the final grade. The theoretical assessment is conducted through a final exam, and the minimum passing grade is 9.5.
The practical component will be evaluated by dynamic, in-class, and small groups, of one of the themes covered in the lectures. The practical note will have to be at least 8-grade points.
In any of the components, notes will be expressed on a scale of 0-20.

Note: If the student does not have frequency on the theoretical component, the practical grade component will be valid within the following year.

Examinations or Special Assignments

There aren't.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Working students and other students in particular circumstances will be assessed similarly to students in ordinary situations.

Students with special educational needs should communicate with the Student Support Services at the beginning of the semester.

Classification improvement

There is the possibility of improvement in the theoretical component, only once, in a final exam, in the time of appeal of the academic year in which the UC was held or until the time of request of the academic year after the one in which they obtained approval and in which the curricular unit has scheduled examination.

The final classification in the curricular unit is the highest, between the one obtained initially and the one that results from the improvement of the sort made.