Students

PSYX2235 – Developmental Psychology

2023 – Session 2, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor and Lecturer
Josephine Paparo
Contact via email
Consultations by appointment only
Lecturer
Kay Bussey
Lecturer
Wayne Warburton
Lecturer
Carly Johnco
Senior Tutor
Thaatsha Sivananthan
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
((PSYC104 or PSYU1104 or PSYX104 or PSYX1104 or PSYU1101 or PSYX1101) and (PSYC105 or PSYU1105 or PSYX105 or PSYX1105 or PSYU1102 or PSYX1102)) or ((PSYC104 or PSYU1104 or PSYX104 or PSYC1104 or PSYU1101 or PSYX1101) and admission to (BPsychLLB or LLBBPsych(Hons) or BEd(Prim)BPsych or BSpHScBPsych or BSpHScBPsych(Hons) or DipSphComm)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit involves the study of how humans grow and change across the life span from conception until death. The unit consolidates and extends topics introduced in the developmental section of PSYX1105. We explore developmental continuities and changes that are normative and common to most people, but also ways in which people differ from one another. In particular, we focus on theories that seek to explain development and the extent to which development is influenced by genes, the physical environment, social relationships, and the context in which the individual lives. We survey major theories, research findings, and contemporary issues in physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and personality development across the life span. The tutorial sessions complement the lectures and focus on developmental research methodologies and practical applications of developmental theory.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

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

  • ULO1: Recall, recognise and describe key concepts of the major developmental theories.
  • ULO2: Describe the processes of development from conception through pregnancy, childhood, adolescence and adulthood.
  • ULO3: Apply developmental theories to various real-life scenarios to explain or predict observed human behaviour at different stages across the lifespan.
  • ULO4: Collect, integrate and critically evaluate a body of developmental research literature on a specified developmental topic.
  • ULO5: Clearly present information and arguments using a concise and clear academic writing style.

General Assessment Information

Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Assessment Policy.

All final grades are determined by a grading committee, in accordance with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor.

Students will be awarded a final grade and a mark which must correspond to the grade descriptors specified in the Assessment Procedure (clause 128).

To pass this unit, you must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, meet any ungraded requirements, and achieve a final mark of 50 or better. 

For word count penalties, 5% of the possible mark will be deducted per 100 words over the word limit for written assessment tasks. An additional 99 words beyond the limit can be written without penalty.

All extensions need to be formally requested via ask.mq.edu.au in line with the special consideration policy.

The final exam is compulsory for this unit and will be online invigilated (subject to change). Any student who does not attempt the final exam will be granted a Fail Absent grade. Students are expected to make themselves available for the exam, at the date and time set by the University, in line with the Assessment Policy and Procedure.

Supplementary assessment tasks will only be provided following an approved Special Consideration application, and only when appropriate. Supplementary assessment tasks, including supplementary exams, can be in a different format to the original assessment task.

Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.

Late Submissions

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (OF THE TOTAL POSSIBLE MARK) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.

For example:

Number of days (hours) late Total Possible Marks Deduction Raw mark Final mark
1 day (1-24 hours) 100 5 75 70
2 days (24-48 hours) 100 10 75 65
3 days (48-72 hours) 100 15 75 60
7 days (144-168 hours) 100 35 75 40
>7 days (>168 hours) 100 - 75 0

Please note no submissions will be accepted after marked assignments are returned and feedback is released to students.

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Open Quiz 10% No During Week 7 (available 9am Mon 4 Sept to 5pm Fri 8 Sept)
Literature Review 40% No Wed 20 Sept 11:55pm
Final Examination 50% No During Final Exam Period

Open Quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 8 hours
Due: During Week 7 (available 9am Mon 4 Sept to 5pm Fri 8 Sept)
Weighting: 10%

 

Open book multiple choice quiz of 20 questions completed online in 45 minutes

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Recall, recognise and describe key concepts of the major developmental theories.
  • Apply developmental theories to various real-life scenarios to explain or predict observed human behaviour at different stages across the lifespan.

Literature Review

Assessment Type 1: Literature review
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Wed 20 Sept 11:55pm
Weighting: 40%

 

Students complete a 1500 word literature review on theory and research related to a particular developmental phenomenon.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the processes of development from conception through pregnancy, childhood, adolescence and adulthood.
  • Apply developmental theories to various real-life scenarios to explain or predict observed human behaviour at different stages across the lifespan.
  • Collect, integrate and critically evaluate a body of developmental research literature on a specified developmental topic.
  • Clearly present information and arguments using a concise and clear academic writing style.

Final Examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: During Final Exam Period
Weighting: 50%

 

Final examination held within the University’s formal exam period, in accordance with relevant requirements.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Recall, recognise and describe key concepts of the major developmental theories.
  • Apply developmental theories to various real-life scenarios to explain or predict observed human behaviour at different stages across the lifespan.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

As a student enrolled in this unit, you will engage in a range of learning activities, including lectures and tutorials, as well as readings and videos.

Further details can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.

Textbook

A custom textbook has been developed for this unit. Please consult the unit schedule below and on iLearn for week-to-week prescribed readings.

Students can purchase a print version of the textbook here or digital version of the textbook here. An e-version of the textbook is also available for loan through the Macquarie University library via this link and Leganto. See iLearn for more information.

Technology Used

Active participation in the learning activities throughout the unit will require students to have access to a tablet, laptop or similar device. Students who do not own their own laptop computer may borrow one from the university library.

Unit Schedule

*Subject to Change

MODULE 1 INTRODUCTION AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT

Week 1 (starting 24 July)

Lecture is 26 July 15:00

No Tutorial

Introduction to the Unit, Approach to Writing a Literature Review, and Overview of theory – Dr Josephine Paparo

Custom Text Topic 1. Includes:

-White, F., Hayes, B., & Livesey, D. (2016). Developmental psychology: From infancy to adulthood (4th ed., Ch 1, pp. 2–33). Melbourne: Pearson Australia.

Week 2 (starting 31 July)

Lecture is 2 August 15:00

Tutorial 1

Prenatal Development, Genes, and Environment – Dr Josephine Paparo

Custom Text Topic 2. Includes:

-White, F., Hayes, B., & Livesey, D. (2016). Developmental psychology: From infancy to adulthood (4th ed., Ch 2, pp. 34–65). Melbourne: Pearson Australia.

Week 3 (starting 7 August)

Lecture is 9 August 15:00

Motor and Perceptual Development – Dr Josephine Paparo

Custom Text Topic 3. Includes:

-White, F., Hayes, B., & Livesey, D. (2016). Developmental psychology: From infancy to adulthood (4th ed., Ch 3, pp. 66–100). Melbourne: Pearson Australia.

-White, F., Hayes, B., & Livesey, D. (2016). Developmental psychology: From infancy to adulthood (4th ed., Ch 4, pp. 102–137). Melbourne: Pearson Australia.

MODULE 2 COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT

Week 4 (starting 14 August)

Lecture is 16 August 15:00

Tutorial 2 

Cognitive Development A – Dr Josephine Paparo

Custom Text Topic 4. Includes:

-White, F., Hayes, B., & Livesey, D. (2016). Developmental psychology: From infancy to adulthood (4th ed., Ch 5, pp. 138–178). Melbourne: Pearson Australia.

Week 5 (starting 21 August)

Lecture is 23 August 15:00

Cognitive Development B – A/Prof Wayne Warburton

Custom Text Topic 5. Includes:

-White, F., Hayes, B., & Livesey, D. (2016). Developmental psychology: From infancy to adulthood (4th ed., Ch 6, pp. 180–223). Melbourne: Pearson Australia.

MODULE 3 SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN A FAMILY CONTEXT

Week 6 (starting 28 August)

Lecture is 30 August 15:00

Tutorial 3 

Temperament and Emotion Regulation – Dr Josephine Paparo

Custom Text Topic 6. Includes:

- Peterson, C. (2014). Looking forward through the lifespan: Developmental psychology (6th ed., Ch 5, pp. 133–164).  Melbourne: Pearson Australia.

Week 7 (starting 4 September)

Lecture is 6 September 15:00

Attachment and Emotion Regulation – Dr Josephine Paparo

No additional readings

PLEASE NOTE THE ONLINE QUIZ COVERING MODULES 1 & 2 IS TO BE COMPLETED IN WEEK 7

Mid-Session Break 11 September – 24 September

PLEASE NOTE THE LITERATURE REVIEW IS DUE WEDNESDAY 20 SEPTEMBER AT 11:55pm

Week 8 (starting 25 September)

Lecture is 27 September 15:00

No tutorial

Contexts for Development: Parenting, Siblings, Families – Dr Josephine Paparo

Custom Text Topic 7. Includes:

-Peterson, C. (2014). Looking forward through the lifespan: Developmental psychology (6th ed., Ch 8, pp. 243–256). Melbourne: Pearson Australia.

MODULE 4 GENDER AND MORAL DEVELOPMENT

Week 9 (starting 2 October)

Lecture is 4 October 15:00

No tutorial  

Gender Development – A/Prof Kay Bussey

Custom Text Topic 8. Includes:

-Peterson, C. (2014). Looking forward through the lifespan: Developmental psychology (6th ed., Ch 8, pp. 256–269). Melbourne: Pearson Australia.

Week 10 (starting 9 October)

Lecture is 11 October 15:00

Tutorial 4 

Moral Development – A/Prof Kay Bussey

Custom Text Topic 9. Includes:

-White, F., Hayes, B., & Livesey, D. (2016). Developmental psychology: From infancy to adulthood (4th ed., Ch 11, pp. 394–427). Melbourne: Pearson Australia.

MODULE 5 ADOLESCENT AND EARLY ADULT DEVELOPMENT

Week 11 (starting 16 October)

Lecture is 18 October 15:00

Adolescent and Early Adult Development –A/Prof Wayne Warburton

Custom Text Topic 10. Includes:

-Peterson, C. (2014). Looking forward through the lifespan: Developmental psychology (6th ed., Ch 2, pp. 50–53). Melbourne: Pearson Australia.

-Peterson, C. (2014). Looking forward through the lifespan: Developmental psychology (6th ed., Ch 10, pp. 318–332). Melbourne: Pearson Australia.

-Peterson, C. (2014). Looking forward through the lifespan: Developmental psychology (6th ed., Ch 11, pp. 347–349). Melbourne: Pearson Australia.

-Peterson, C. (2014). Looking forward through the lifespan: Developmental psychology (6th ed., Ch 12, pp. 386–397). Melbourne: Pearson Australia.

Week 12 (starting 23 October)

Lecture is 25 October 15:00

Tutorial 5 

 

Adult Development – Dr Carly Johnco

Custom Text Topic 11. Includes:

-Peterson, C. (2014). Looking forward through the lifespan: Developmental psychology (6th ed., Ch 14, pp. 456–458). Melbourne: Pearson Australia.

-Peterson, C. (2014). Looking forward through the lifespan: Developmental psychology (6th ed., Ch 15, pp. 490–494). Melbourne: Pearson Australia.

-Peterson, C. (2014). Looking forward through the lifespan: Developmental psychology (6th ed., Ch 16, pp. 517–530). Melbourne: Pearson Australia.

-Peterson, C. (2014). Looking forward through the lifespan: Developmental psychology (6th ed., Ch 17, pp. 571–574). Melbourne: Pearson Australia.

Week 13 (starting 30 October)

Lecture is 1 November 15:00

Adult Development and Death and Dying – Dr Carly Johnco

Custom Text Topic 12. Includes:

-Peterson, C. (2014). Looking forward through the lifespan: Developmental psychology (6th ed., Ch 18, pp. 580–612). Melbourne: Pearson Australia.

 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

OUA Policies

For information and administrative processes specific to OUA studies, please see this website: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/faculties/open-universities-australia

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Inclusion and Diversity

Social inclusion at Macquarie University is about giving everyone who has the potential to benefit from higher education the opportunity to study at university, participate in campus life and flourish in their chosen field. The University has made significant moves to promote an equitable, diverse and exciting campus community for the benefit of staff and students. It is your responsibility to contribute towards the development of an inclusive culture and practice in the areas of learning and teaching, research, and service orientation and delivery. As a member of the Macquarie University community, you must not discriminate against or harass others based on their sex, gender, race, marital status, carers' responsibilities, disability, sexual orientation, age, political conviction or religious belief. All staff and students are expected to display appropriate behaviour that is conducive to a healthy learning environment for everyone.

Professionalism

In the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, professionalism is a key capability embedded in all our courses.

As an adult learner, we respect your decision to choose how you engage with your learning, but we would remind you that the learning opportunities we create for you have been done so to enable your success, and that by not engaging you may impact your ability to successfully complete this unit. We equally expect that you show respect for the academic staff who have worked hard to develop meaningful activities and prioritise your learning.

Another dimension of professionalism is having respect for your peers. Please treat your fellow students with the utmost respect. If you are uncomfortable participating in any specific activity, please let the relevant academic know.


Unit information based on version 2023.01R of the Handbook