Introduction to Developmental Psychology

Developmental psychology is a scientific discipline that explains how humans develop across their lifespan. You will study topics including Piagetian and Vygotskian theoretical frameworks, the nature vs. nurture debate, and children’s development of crucial abilities to engage in the social world. You will develop a strong understanding of the relationships between psychological theory and experimental evidence, drawing upon classic and state-of-the-art scientific literature, including current cutting-edge investigative research going on in our Psychology Department.

By the end of the module, you will have gained understanding of several foundational topics in developmental psychology, be able to discuss related research in an informed and critical manner, and be able to able to search, synthesise, and evaluate relevant scientific literature. You will also be equipped with an excellent foundation of knowledge for continuing your study of developmental psychology in Part II.