Description : The course provides a systematic introduction to basic concepts and theories of human development, as well as to research methods and ethical issues in developmental psychology. The influence of the prenatal development and of birth on human development and the importance of the early experiences on later development are also discussed. Finally, the course offers a description of the cognitive, emotional and social development that takes place during infancy, early childhood and middle childhood.
By the end of the course the students will be able to:
• Show complete understanding of the most important issues of developmental psychology
• Present understanding of the research goals and the research methods of developmental psychology
• Have basic theoretical knowledge about the human development, from the prenatal period until puberty
• Understand the different influence of genes vs. environment on human development
• Apply the appropriate principles of different theoretical approaches to explain psychological developmental phenomena
• Interrelate the scientific theoretical and empirical content of developmental psychology with other psychological branches and other scientific disciplines
• Show critical thinking about the current questions on developmental psychology, like the issue on developmental individuality
Burman, E. (2008) Deconstructing Developmental Psychology. New York: Routledge.
Shaffer, D. R. & Kipp, K., (2013). Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence. Wadsworth Gengage Learning.
Lightfoot, C., Cole, M., & Cole, S. R. (2014). The Development of Children. New York: Worth Pub.
Siegler, R., DeLoache, J., & Eisenberg, N. (2011). How Children Develop. New York: Worth Pub.
Outline : The course provides a complete examination on the following topics:
• Introduction to the basic concepts of developmental psychology
• Research methods used in developmental psychology
• Introduction to the most important theories of developmental psychology
• Genes and environment on human development
• Prenatal development - Birth
• Infancy: Cognitive and social development
• Early childhood: Cognitive, social, moral, and language development
• Middle childhood: Cognitive, social, and moral development
Language of instruction: Greek. There is the option of collaborating with foreign students in English. European/International students are instructed on an individual basis in English.