Developmental Psychology
"For anyone working with people – learn about how people grow and develop throughout their lifetime"
Developmental Psychology considers the psychology of the human being as they develop, from childhood through adolescence to adulthood and finally to old age. Friendship is one of the topics we cover in the course -
"FRIENDSHIPS
Friendships are one of the most valuable resources a young adult can have. Having good friendships can make the difference between feeling full and whole verses feeling depressed and worthless. Research has shown that an open, accessible friend serves as a protective factor for late adolescents and young adults, insolating them against various risk factors such as drug abuse or criminal behaviour. The transitions and changes of young adulthood pose many challenges to adult friendships. This is particularly true for young men, who must learn to relate to other men in an entirely new manner: behaviours that were learned on the playground are often not helpful in forming adult relationships.
Friendships change in many ways during young adulthood. Young men and women who move away from home find themselves geographically distant from childhood friends. They have finished high school and they start a life of work find that work. Often family responsibilities prevent them from seeing their friends as often as they would like or as much as they did when they were younger. Not only does the amount of time that a young person can dedicate to their friendships change, but also the very nature of friendships begin to alter in response to developmental changes." (taken from the Developmental Psychology course)
If you think you would like to look in more detail at child psychology, why not have a look at our child psychology course? http://www.acsedu.co.uk/Courses/Psychology/CHILD-PSYCHOLOGY-BPS104-362.aspx
If you think you would like to study teenagers why not consider our course that focuses on Adolescents. Please click here - http://www.acsedu.co.uk/Courses/Psychology/ADOLESCENT-PSYCHOLOGY-BPS211-583.aspx
Of if you would like to consider how children are educated – consider our Educational Psychology course - http://www.acsedu.co.uk/Courses/Psychology/EDUCATIONAL-PSYCHOLOGY-BPS105-392.aspx
Perhaps you think all of these courses look great, then why not consider a Certificate in Child Development? A useful qualification for anyone who wishes to work with children. http://www.acsedu.co.uk/Courses/Health-Fitness-and-Recreation/CHILD-DEVELOPMENT-CERTIFICATE-VRE002-436.aspx
If you would like to see our range of psychology books, please visit - http://www.acsbookshop.com/books_productcategory.aspx?id=14
For more information on the range of careers available in psychology, have a look at - http://www.thecareersguide.com/articles.aspx?category=14
We have some interesting articles on psychology and counseling at - http://www.acs.edu.au/psychol/
COURSE CONTENT
There are ten lessons in this module:
Introduction - Theoretical approaches and key concepts
Early childhood – cognitive & social development in the first 6 years
Middle childhood – cognitive, moral & social development in the school years
Challenges of middle childhood
Adolescence – cognitive, moral and social development
Challenges of adolescence
Adulthood – cognitive and psychosocial development in early and middle adulthood
Challenges of adulthood
Late adulthood – cognitive and psychosocial changes in the elderly
Challenges of late adulthood
Duration: 100 hours
What qualification will I achieve for completing this course?
This is an individual module course. The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study.
If you wish to take an individual module course as a stand alone course, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it.
If you successfully pass the exam and all assignments, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you. If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course.
If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments.
There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.
Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.
You can find further information on the examinations process by clicking on the “Enrolment” link above.
You can find further information on other courses by clicking on the “Courses” link above.
WHAT YOU WILL DO IN THIS COURSE
Some of the activities that you will do in this course are:
Learn key theories and concepts in the study of developmental psychology;
List major ethical concerns when studying development, and one step a researcher can take to reduce each;
Identify cognitive and social aspects of a small child’s development and some key inherent and external influences;
Describe the phases of language acquisition in infants, and what can adversely affect it;
Describe major cognitive, moral and social developments in middle childhood and how they influence behaviour
Compare short term memory with long term memory in middle childhood, and discuss how this affects the child’s ability to learn;
Identify common psychological challenges faced by children from ages 6 to puberty;
Reflect on your own success and failure experiences, and your own sense of competence in middle childhood. Consider how they affected your perceptions of yourself as you matured;
Identify areas of change that will affect adolescent behaviour and thinking;
Explain post formal thought, and consider how it can contribute to an adolescent’s ability or willingness to make moral choices;
Identify challenges common to adolescence, and ways to deal with them;
Explain individuation. Discuss its importance, and how it can both challenge and complement group identity;
Identify changes that can occur in early and middle adulthood and influence behaviour;
Explain K. Warner Schaie’s ‘stages of adult thinking’ and explain why Schaie’s model might be more relevant to understanding adult cognition than Piaget’s cognitive model;
Identify some key challenges faced in adulthood and ways of coping with them;
List some changes that are typically associated with ‘midlife crisis’. Discuss both negative and positive aspects of ‘midlife crisis’;
Identify effects of physiological changes and life experience on the aged person’s cognitive and psychosocial experiences;
Explain how ‘cognitive plasticity’ can affect an older person’s ability to learn despite brain cell loss;
Research depression and suicide among the elderly;
Research ways that an older person can be made to feel more independent and automonous. Consider in your response what family members can do to respect the older person’s need for autonomy.
More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses
Who are our tutors?
Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.
Sample Course Notes
Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.
What learning method should I choose?
We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Enrolment” box above, then “Learning Methods.”
How Long will it take to complete the course?
This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.
Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”
What Do Our Students think of us?
If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.
I don’t think this is the right course for me.
If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.
You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.
If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk
Recognition and Accreditation
For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.
Who is ACS Distance Education?
If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”
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Developmental Psychology course
"For anyone working with people – learn about how people grow and develop throughout their lifetime"
Learn how people grow and develop from birth to old age.
Understand the theories of human development.
Useful for anyone working with people or wanting to learn more about human development.
Study in your own home at your own pace supported by our expert tutors.
This course is aimed at people working with people of any age in a counselling, supporting, or teaching capacity, who will benefit from understanding how physiological and psychological changes over the lifespan affect human behaviour. Parents and carers will gain greater insight into issues that present particular challenges at different stages of the life span, especially from adolescence to old age.
