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Introduction to developmental psychology

Study level: Undergraduate study programme in psychology
Lecturers: Gordana Kuterovac Jagodić, Ph.D., Irma Brković, Ph.D., Inja Erceg Jugović, Ph.D.
ECTS: 6
Language: Croatian
Semester: 3rd (winter)
Status: mandatory
Form of instruction with class hours: 30 hours of lectures, 15 hours of seminars, 15 hours of methodical, field and laboratory exercises
Prerequisites: none
Student evaluation: written and oral exam

Course description

Basic concepts, key issues, and current controversies in the field of developmental psychology. History and philosophical roots of developmental psychology. Periods of development. Aspects of development. Main principles of development. Biological processes in development. Environmental influences on development. Mechanisms of heredity-environment interaction. Methods of studying developmental change (longitudinal, cross-sectional, and cross-sequential research design). Ethics in research on development. Theories of human development (psychoanalytic perspective – Freud, Erikson; learning theories – Watson, Skinner, Bandura; cognitive perspective – Piaget, Vygotski, Kohlberg; ecological theory – Bronfenbrenner; ethological perspective – Bowlby). Comparison of different theoretical perspectives.

Course objectives

Students will gain understanding of traditional and modern principles, concepts, theories and methods of studying physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development during the life-span.

Required readings

1.Vasta, R., Haith, M.M. i Miller, S.A. (1998). Dječja psihologija: Moderna znanost (Pogl. 1-4). Jastrebarsko: Naklada Slap.

2.Berk, L. (2006). Psihologija cjeloživotnog razvoja (Pogl. 1-3). Jastrebarsko: Naklada Slap.

3.Fulgosi, A. (1982). Teorije ličnosti (Pogl. 1 i 3). Zagreb: Školska knjiga.

4.Schaffer, H. R. (2004). Introducing Child Psychology (Chapter 7: Vygotsky’s Theory). Oxford: Blackwell.

5.Ajduković, M. i Kolesarić, V. (Ur.) (2003). Etički kodeks istraživanja s djecom. Vijeće za djecu Vlade RH i Državni zavod za zaštitu obitelji, materinstva i mladeži.

6.Two journal papers which utilize different strategies of development research - longitudinal and trasversal.


Recommended readings

1.Lerner, R.M. (2002). Concepts and theories of human development (3rd ed.). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.

2.Crain, W. (1992). Theories of development: Concepts and applications. Prentice-Hall, Inc.

3.Buggle, F. (2002). Razvojna psihologija Jeana Piageta.Jastrebarsko: Naklada Slap.

4.Gardner, H., Kornhaber, M.L. i Wake, W.K. (1999). Inteligencija: različita gledišta (Pogl. 4: Piaget). Jastrebarsko: Naklada Slap.

5. Zarevski, P. (1997). Psihologija pamćenja i učenja (3. poglavlje). Jastrebarsko: Naklada Slap.

6. Čudina, M. (1987). Filogeneza i ontogeneza psihičkog života. U V. Andrilović i M. Čudina, Osnove opće i razvojne psihologije. Zagreb: Školska knjiga.