The course aims to provide students with a foundational understanding of the main constructs and theoretical models of developmental psychology, with particular attention to cognitive, emotional, and social processes across the lifespan. The adopted approach is systemic-ecological and psycho-educational, oriented toward understanding the dynamic interactions between the individual and the context. The course explores the mechanisms underlying development and psychological functioning, focusing on their educational and motor implications, as well as on the promotion of well-being and the prevention of psychological distress.
Dublin Descriptors
Knowledge and understanding
Acquire knowledge of the main theoretical paradigms, stages, and processes of human development.
Understand the contributions of contemporary psychological research to the study of behavior across development.
Applying knowledge and understanding
Apply concepts and models from developmental psychology to the analysis of educational and motor situations.
Identify cognitive, emotional, and motivational factors that influence learning and adaptive behavior.
Making judgments
Critically analyze phenomena of typical and atypical development.
Independently evaluate interpretations and educational interventions based on psychological evidence.
Communication skills
Appropriately use the scientific language of the discipline.
Communicate psychological concepts clearly and coherently, even to non-specialist audiences.
Learning skills
Develop metacognitive and reflective abilities to support autonomous and lifelong learning.
Transfer theoretical and methodological principles of developmental psychology to real-life contexts, fostering the integration between theory and practice.
Course Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites or attendance requirements.
Teaching Methods
Lectures, guided discussions, case analyses, videos, and individual and group reflections. The course promotes active and reflective learning. Slides and supplementary materials will be made available on the course e-learning platform.
Assessment Methods
The examination consists of an oral test aimed at assessing:
mastery of the fundamental theoretical concepts;
the ability to establish connections between theories and real situations;
the correct use of scientific terminology;
critical and personal re-elaboration of the course contents.
Evaluation criteria: clarity of expression, conceptual accuracy, coherence and depth of responses, ability to synthesize, and independent reflection.
Contents
Introduction to developmental psychology: subject, methods, main theoretical approaches, and current trends.
Motor and perceptual development: foundations for bodily, cognitive, and relational experience.
