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Introduction to Social and Developmental Psychology

PSY403

Course CodePSY403
ECTS

Course Description

This aim of this unit is to equip learners with the knowledge and understanding of the interplay between theory, research, and application in both social psychology and developmental psychology. The unit focuses on core theories and research of social psychology, as well as applications of the field. In the second part of the unit, we will explore the theories and research behind developmental psychology. Developmental psychology theories tend to explain development in terms of a progression through life stages.

Course Objectives

This aim of this unit is to equip learners with the knowledge and understanding of the interplay between theory, research, and application in both social psychology and developmental psychology. The unit focuses on core theories and research of social psychology, as well as applications of the field. In the second part of the unit, we will explore the theories and research behind developmental psychology. Developmental psychology theories tend to explain development in terms of a progression through life stages.

Key Topics

  1. LO1: Understand the key methodological issues and theorising in social psychology.
  2. LO2: Understand the main theoretical views in cognition and development.
  3. LO3: Understand theories of gender development.
  4. LO4: Understand adolescence as being a time of physiological and behavioural changes.

Course Outline

WeekTopics
1Conformity: types, explanations and variables; Asch (1956); conformity to social roles
2Obedience: Milgram, situational factors, agentic state, authoritarian personality
3Ethics in Milgram's and Zimbardo's research
4Piaget's theory, stages and methods
5Moral understanding (Kohlberg), social cognition and the child's sense of self
6Sex and gender vocabulary, stereotypes and differences; biological approach and hormones
7Biosocial, evolutionary, psychoanalytic, social learning and cognitive developmental theories of gender
MidtermMidterm evaluation
9Puberty and body image: the social and psychological meaning of biological change
10Adolescent mental health, self-esteem and identity: Erikson, role confusion, cross-cultural initiation
11Relationships with parents and peers: generation gap, Coleman's focal theory
12Applying Introduction to Social and Developmental Psychology in practice: case studies
13Assignment workshop: research, planning and referencing
14Assignment workshop: drafting, feedback and improvement
15Review and coursework completion
FinalFinal assessment and submission

Learning Outcomes

  1. LO1 Understand the key methodological issues and theorising in social psychology.
  2. 1.1 Explain the main phenomena, methods and theorising in social psychology.
  3. 1.2 Analyse the ethical issues encountered in the psychological studies by Milgram and Zimbardo.
  4. LO2 Understand the main theoretical views in cognition and development.
  5. 2.1 Explain the main phenomena, methods, and theorising in developmental psychology.
  6. 2.2 Describe the key features of family and community influences on child development.
  7. LO3 Understand theories of gender development.
  8. 3.1 Identify theories of gender development.
  9. 3.2 Analyse theories of gender development.
  10. LO4 Understand adolescence as being a time of physiological and behavioural changes.
  11. 4.1 Explain the social meaning of biological changes during adolescence.
  12. 4.2 Explain the psychological meaning of biological changes during adolescence.
  13. 4.3 Evaluate research into relationships with parents and /or peers in adolescence.
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