PYH404 Issues in Social Developmental Psychology


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Unit Outline: Flexible Period - 09A 2022, Kelvin Grove, Internal (Start Date: 27 Jun 2022)

Unit code:PYH404
Credit points:12
Assumed Knowledge:Previous studies in developmental psychology is assumed knowledge
Coordinators:Trish Obst | p.obst@qut.edu.au
Areana Eivers | a.eivers@qut.edu.au
Emma Malone | emma.malone@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

As one of the two advanced electives in the Honours program, this unit is designed to extend students' understanding of developmental issues across the lifespan with special emphasis on the socio- cultural context in which development occurs including Indigenous and cross cultural perspectives. Students gain knowledge of key theories and perspectives that seek to explain how human development impacts and is impacted upon by their socio-cultural context and learn to appreciate the many interdependent factors that contribute to human development across the lifespan. Students are encouraged to observe and critically analyse social and cultural processes as they relate to all stages of development including implications for assessment and interventions strategies in clinical practice.

 

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the major theoretical and methodological approaches used in investigating social-developmental interactions
  2. Critically evaluate and apply the major theories and research in this area
  3. Describe and evaluate the interconnections between culture, development and behaviour
  4. Critically apply this knowledge to the selection, application, and interpretation of appropriate assessment strategies and to the evaluation of intervention approaches using case studies

Content

This unit will cover the major theories and topics related to social developmental psychology including:


· Social constructivist and ecological models of development
· Social-developmental themes across the lifespan (infancy to later adulthood)
· Social-developmental principles in applied contexts such as social policy and intervention
· Social-developmental principles in the design, execution and evaluation of key assessment methods and tools

 

Relates to learning outcomes


These Unit Learning Outcomes contribute to your mastery of the PY09 Course Learning Outcomes

CLO1 - Demonstrate and apply advanced knowledge of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, and empirical findings of core areas in psychology.
CLO 2 - Critically analyse and synthesise knowledge to provide solutions for complex problems in relation to individual and group behaviour and processes with intellectual independence.
CLO 4 - Demonstrate effective communication skills in a variety of formats and contexts, including interpersonal communication skills appropriate to psychological practice and research.
CLO 5 Demonstrate knowledge and application of key psychological competencies including psychological assessment and interventions across a range of contexts.
CLO 6 - Apply an understanding of the values, including social and cultural diversity, relevant legal frameworks and the codes of ethical practice that underpin psychology to professional psychological contexts, practice and research.

Learning Approaches

The lectures in this unit are intended both to provide the theoretical foundations in this subject area, and to foster creativity and critical inquiry through the study of topics that affect an individual's development within the socio-cultural context. This unit is taught in an intensive format in the weeks between semesters, with assessment due in the first half of Semester 2. An interactive and collaborative approach to learning is emphasised through workshop format class discussions and the use of adjunct online teaching and learning materials such as videos, media reports, social policy documents etc. Critical analysis of topics is encouraged through the discussion of current clinical practice, and current issues and controversies that relate to social-developmental themes and principles. There will be essential readings that you are expected to review for assessment purposes and further interest. For optimal learning, attendance at all seminars in this unit is required except where special circumstances have been negotiated with the unit coordinator.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:


· formative feedback on your understanding of material is supported by in depth class discussion
· generic comments and feedback to the cohort via QUT Blackboard and class discussion
· for work that you prepare for summative assessment, you may also receive limited comments on your formative work, and may consult with the unit coordinator

Assessment

Overview

Your exam will be scheduled during normal working hours i.e. between 9am and 5pm on a weekday. You will be required to submit your assignment via Turnitin content-matching software. Your assignment will be marked online and your feedback will be supplied via Turnitin. 

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Group Presentation and Summary

In small groups, students will present a review and critique of a form of assessment used in developmental psychology contexts. They will then prepare a short, written summary of their review to be made available to other students in the unit as a resource.

Weight: 20
Individual/Group: Group
Due (indicative): During Teaching Period
Group presentations in class with summary document due at end of teaching period
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 4

Assessment: Examination (Written)

The exam will include a series of short answer questions and an analysis of a case study. Short answer questions will based on lecture material, tutorials and essential readings. The analysis of the case study will require you to critically discuss appropriate assessment and interventions, related to the case, taking into consideration the interconnections between culture, development and behaviour.

Weight: 40
Length: 2 hours
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Early in Semester 2
Related Unit learning outcomes: 2, 3, 4

Assessment: Literature Review

Critical review of literature pertaining to theory and/or method relevant to a particular social developmental topic (choice of two broad areas) of current importance and relevance to Australian society, with emphasis on the applied social-developmental implications of your review.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 40
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Mid Semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

No set text is used. Essential readings only.

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.