Developmental Psychology

Course content

Developmental psychology is the scientific study of human development, covering the periods from infancy through childhood to adolescence. An essential assumption in developmental psychology is that human development occurs within a specific environment and sociocultural context, which profoundly influences the individual child’s developmental trajectory.

The purpose of the course is to provide an overview of the biological, cognitive, emotional, and social changes that occur during this period, introduce key theories and methods in developmental psychology, and present quantitative and qualitative empirical research that reflects current international research in developmental psychology. A central theme explored throughout the course concerns how interactions between a child and various contexts and factors (e.g., family, friends, institutions, gender, and culture) shape and influence developmental pathways.

The course serves as a foundation for more applied courses related to infants, children, and youth, such as educational psychology (BA), clinical psychology (BA and MA), and community psychology (MA).

Education

The course is open to:

  • Bachelor Programme in Psychology
  • 45 ECTS og 75 ECTS minor choice

 

The course is open to:

  • Exchange and Guest students from abroad
  • Open University students

Curriculum - UCPH

Learning outcome

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

 

Knowledge:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of human development and variations in typical development (0-18 years) across different levels, including biological, social, and cultural, as well as in different developmental contexts.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of key theories and research methods in developmental psychology and their strengths and weaknesses in explaining and uncovering developmental processes.

 

Skills:

  • Identify relevant theories, concepts, and empirical studies to analyse given developmental psychological issues.
  • Analyse key similarities and differences between relevant theories, concepts, and empirical studies.
  • Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of selected theories and empirical studies in explaining given developmental psychological issues.

 

Competences:

  • Integrate concepts, methods, and empirical data into a theoretical and evidence-based discussion of given issues within developmental psychology.

The teaching consists of lectures (20), seminars (8), and practical sessions (6). For the lectures, students are expected to prepare through literature studies as indicated in the lecture plan.
In the seminars, various theoretical perspectives and empirical studies are presented and discussed through different learning activities. Active participation from the student is expected, including participation in group-based tasks and discussions in smaller groups and plenary sessions.
The practical sessions focus specifically on examining the central methods within developmental psychology (e.g., experiments, interviews, and observations) and discussing the strengths and weaknesses of these methods in relation to development at different ages. Active participation is expected.
The final exam will be based on the knowledge acquired through participation in lectures, seminars, and practical sessions.

1300 standard pages of mandatory literature and 100 standard pages of self-selected literature.

It is recommended, but not required, that Statistics and Quantitative Research Design I and II, Qualitative Methods and Research Design, Biological Psychology and Neuropsychology, as well as Social Psychology, Personality Psychology, and Cognitive Psychology are passed prior to Developmental Psychology.

Not relevant
ECTS
15 ECTS
Type of assessment
Home assignment, 1 week
Type of assessment details
The written home assignment can be taken as a group exam for up to 4 students. In the case of a group exam, the individual student’s contribution must be identifiable to ensure individual assessment. A minor part of the assignment may be written jointly, according to the framework study regulations.

The extent of the written home assignment is a maximum of 6 standard pages for 1 student, a maximum of 9 standard pages for 2 students, a maximum of 12 standard pages for 3 students, and a maximum of 15 standard pages for 4 students.
Examination prerequisites

It is a prerequisite for exam participation that the student has approved active participation in both seminars and practical sessions.

Aid
All aids allowed

Unless otherwise specified, the Department of Psychology prohibits the use of generative AI software and large language models (AI/LLMs), such as ChatGPT, for generating novel and creative content in written exams. However, students may use AI/LLMs to enhance the presentation of their own original work, such as text editing, argument validation, or improving statistical programming code. Students must disclose in an appendix if and how AI/LLMs were used; this appendix will not count toward the page limit of the exam. This policy is in place to ensure that students’ written exams accurately reflect their own knowledge and understanding of the material.

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
Exam period

Exam information:

The examination date can be found in the exam schedule    here

The exact time and place will be available in Digital Exam from the middle of the semester. 

Re-exam

Reexam information:

The reexamination date/period can be found in the reexam schedule    here

Criteria for exam assessment

Students are assessed on the extent to which they master the learning outcome for the course.

 

To obtain the top grade “12”, the student must with no or only a few minor weaknesses be able to demonstrate an excellent performance displaying a high level of command of all aspects of the relevant material and can make use of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.

 

To obtain the passing grade “02”, the student must in a satisfactory way be able to demonstrate a minimal acceptable level of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.

Upper secondary school teacher degree (minor subject)

  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 40
  • Class Instruction
  • 24
  • Exercises
  • 18
  • English
  • 82

Kursusinformation

Language
English
Partially in Danish
Course number
APSB21010U
ECTS
15 ECTS
Programme level
Bachelor
Master’s minor subject
Duration

1 semester

Placement
Spring
Schedulegroup
C , B And A
Capacity
Approx. 35 students per class
Studyboard
Department of Psychology, Study Council
Contracting department
  • Department of Psychology
Contracting faculty
  • Faculty of Social Sciences
Course Coordinator
  • Victoria Helen Southgate   (18-837670817c7f766e3b807c828175746e81724d7d80863b78823b7178)
Saved on the 09-05-2025

Are you BA- or KA-student?

Are you bachelor- or kandidat-student, then find the course in the course catalog for students:

Courseinformation of students