Units
Issues in Social Developmental Psychology
Unit code: PYB404
Contact hours: 3 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit evaluates the contributions of social and developmental psychology to the understanding of human behaviour. The unit examines topics in social development, as they relate to families and individuals across the lifespan.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 1 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
Developmental psychology is concerned with how individuals and groups change over time and the mechanisms that drive this change. All development occurs within various socio-cultural contexts that are sometimes explicit, but often implicit. This unit evaluates the contributions social and investigates aspects of developmental psychology with an emphasis on the importance and impact of the social context in which development occurs. Students are encouraged to observe and critically analyse social-developmental processes as they relate to all stages of development. The unit takes a systemic approach to understanding the many interdependent factors that contribute to human development across the lifespan. This approach is seen as critical to gaining a deeper knowledge and appreciation of how individuals necessarily impact and are impacted upon by their environment.
Aims
This unit aims to extend your understanding of social-developmental perspectives in psychology, across the lifespan. You will be encouraged to evaluate consider and think critically about the interacting influences of social context and development on human understanding of behaviour.
Objectives
On successful completion of this unit, you should be able:
- understand the theoretical and methodological approaches to investigating social-developmental interactions;
- critically evaluate the theories and research in this area;
- evaluate more closely the interconnections between culture, development and behaviour;
- appreciate, understand and be sensitive to socio-cultural issues in human development.
Content
- Social constructivist and ecological models of development
- Cultural human development
- Social-developmental themes across the lifespan (infancy to later adulthood)
- Qualitative methods for studying socio-cultural factors in human development
- Social-developmental principles in applied contexts such as social policy and intervention
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
The lectures in this unit are intended both to provide the theoretical foundations in this subject area, and to foster creativity and critical inquiry through the study of topics that affect an individual's development within the social context.
- An interactive and collaborative approach to learning is emphasised in this course through class discussions and the use of adjunct teaching and learning materials such as videos, media reports etc.
- Critical analysis of topics is encouraged through the discussion of current issues and controversies that relate to social-developmental themes and principles
- Sensitivity to and understanding of socio-cultural issues will be promoted, where appropriate
- There will be essential readings that you are expected to review outside of class for examination purposes and further interest
- Tutorials will be structured around student presentations of qualitative research on a topic relevant to social-developmental theories and issues
- In pairs you will be expected to conduct a qualitative interview on a set topic and present your findings to the class.
Assessment name:
Presentation
Description:
Present the findings and critical analysis, relevant to theories in social-developmental psychology, of 1-2 qualitative interviews conducted on a set topic with individuals outside the class. Interviews/presentations will be conducted in pairs (this may vary depending on class numbers). You cannot present on your own.
Due date: Commencing Week 6 (may change depending on class numbers)
Relates to objectives:
1 - 4
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Group
Due date:
Commencing Week 6
Assessment name:
Literature Review
Description:
Review of literature pertaining to theory and method relevant to a particular topic (choice of several), with emphasis on the social-developmental significance and implications (3500 words).
Relates to objectives:
1 - 4
Weight:
40%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 8, 9 or 10
Assessment name:
Final Examination
Description:
Final Examination (2 hrs)
A series of short answers based on lecture material, tutorials and essential readings. Set readings will be available on CMD, except where indicated otherwise.
Relates to objectives:
1 - 4
Weight:
40%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Exam Period
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
No set text is used. Essential readings only.
Risk assessment statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 31-Oct-2012
