Developmental Psychology Courses
Human Development (3 credits)
Development from conception to death; biological, physiological and social factors and their interactions at each stage.
Development of Gender Roles (3 credits)
Social, cognitive, hormonal and personality factors in development of gender roles; determinants of behavioral and cognitive gender differences.
Child Development (3 credits)
Emotional, social, motor and cognitive development as influenced by genetic, cultural and individual factors during the first twelve years of life. (May not be taken for credit by students who have a collateral major, or a minor, in education.)
Exceptional Childhoods (3 credits)
Special problems of adjustment and training of exceptional children, including the gifted as well as the intellectually, emotionally and physically handicapped.
Children & Adolescents with Autism (3 credits)
A theoretical and practical introduction to the social, biological, behavioral, and educational theories that guide our understanding of children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Focusing on this important public health issue, students learn how these theories inform public awareness, the experiences of families affected by this disorder, the development and implementation of interventions, and public policy.
Adults with Developmental Disabilities (3 credits)
A theoretical and practical introduction to the key issues and challenges that affect the lives of adults with developmental disabilities, including adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Covered topics include person-centered planning, self-determination, transition planning, post-secondary education, employment, residential supports, and community living. Students learn how these challenges inform services that support full inclusion and improve quality of life.
Research Methods in Developmental Psychology (3 credits)
Open to declared majors only. Theory and research in selected areas of developmental psychology.
Adolescence (3 credits)
This course reviews the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social changes that typically occur during adolescence. Topics include classic and contemporary theories of adolescent development and the interactions between adolescents and their social and cultural environments.
Adult Development (3 credits)
Open to declared majors only. Theories and research concerning the personal and social development of men and women in adulthood; ongoing changes with age related to physical growth and decline, including marital, parental and interpersonal relationships, occupational roles, leisure activities, disability and approaching death.
Developmental Psychopathology (3 credits)
Survey and evaluation of empirical and theoretical approaches to the major psychological abnormalities that arise in childhood and adolescence; their characteristics, causes and treatments.
Attitudes and Persuasion (3 credits)
This course examines both traditional and current theory and research on attitudes and attitude change in social psychology. The first third of the course covers the historical background of the field, the nature of attitudes, problems associated with the measurement of social attitudes and behavior, the conceptual structure and organization of attitudes, and the relation between attitudes and behavior. The middle third of the course explores one of the most-researched topics in attitude research: stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination. The final third of the course examines various social psychological theories of attitude change and persuasion, along with their diverse applications.
Psychological Tests (3 credits)
Introduction to the principles of psychological assessment; major methods of measuring general ability, aptitude, achievement, interest, personality. Appraisal of psychological tests.
Cognitive Development (3 credits)
A comparative information processing perspective on the development of mental structure and functioning, including perception, memory, problem solving, self-awareness of thinking, intelligence, concept formation and language development.
Current Topics in Developmental Psychology (3 credits)
Focuses on contemporary knowledge and issues in the scholarly literature in a focused area of developmental psychology. Emphases are on interdisciplinary approaches and critical thinking, including links to theoretical, empirical, and applied foundations of the field. Topics vary each term.
