Psychological processes (cognitive-linguistic, affective-emotional, metacognitive and socio-relational domains) will be explored within a conceptualisation of psychological development as a complex and multidimensional process involving the entire life course. Research questions, methods and investigation tools of current relevance for professionals interested in working in the social and health sectors will be addressed.
- Castelli, C., Sbattella, F. (2020, 8° ristampa). Psicologia del ciclo di vita, FrancoAngeli.
- Slides and articles made available on Moodle.
Learning Objectives
Knowledge and understanding.
The course aims to introduce students to the knowledge and understanding of the main explanatory models of psychological development as a complex and multidimensional process that affects the entire life course. Particular attention will be paid to the interaction of cognitive, metacognitive, affective-motivational, socio-relational and cultural processes involved in promoting development and well-being. The different life course transitions and contexts of action will be considered in the light of societal change phenomena and the related repercussions in terms of developmental processes.
Applied knowledge.
The course aims to promote the ability to read contexts and understand the psychological needs, resources and problems present in them, identifying tools and intervention strategies useful to support and promote the development of cognitive, metacognitive, affective-motivational and socio-relational processes.
Decision making. Teaching aims to
- promote the ability to orient oneself within studies and research questions relating to developmental psychology in the life course;
- promote the ability to explain and justify the choice of tools and intervention strategies in relation to different phases of the life cycle, problems and contexts on the basis of theoretical constructs and explanatory models that are up-to-date and of proven scientific evidence.
- To promote the ability to take a reflective approach to one's own professional actions.
Communication skills.
The course aims to promote the use of a specialist language of the psychological sciences, useful to facilitate the use of international literature, for the purpose of adequate management and transmission of information.
Learning skills. The teaching aims to
- promote the ability to find and evaluate different sources, critically understand academic texts, documents and other sources in the field of psychological sciences;
- promote the ability to collect, organise and interpret qualitative and quantitative data.
Prerequisites
Knowing the fundamentals, theories, methods and previous research in
the field of developmental psychology.
This knowledge is expected, after having previously passed the course
Developmental Psychology.
A basic knowledge of English, allowing the student to read some material in English.
Teaching Methods
Teaching will be carried out through lectures to provide a theoretical and cognitive framework of the discipline. There will also be stimuli and proposals for debate and in-depth thematic studies to be carried out in small groups on material prepared by the teacher to promote educational exchange and the development of critical and reflective skills.
Further information
The syllabus, the tentative calendar of classes, studying materials, teaching methods, type of assessment will be presented during the first class also available on Moodle. Lessons and materials will be progressively uploaded to Moodle as the course progresses.
Type of Assessment
The examination consists of a written test with multiple choice questions and short answer questions.
During the lessons, students will also be able to carry out assessments in progress through guided exercises and activities (in class and online) that will contribute to the final grade.
Course program
The course programme will include the analysis of the main explanatory models of development from a multifactorial and ecological perspective, the main phases and developmental tasks of the life cycle applied to in-depth analysis of themes and research questions in the psychological sciences of current interest to practitioners of social and health services. In particular, the course will present the following topics:
Module 1 - Cognitive, metacognitive, affective-motivational and socio-relational aspects in learning throughout the life course. Emotions and cognition. Relationship between socio-economic disadvantage and performance. New scenarios of digital learning. Family practices of home literacy. Review of the main prevention and intervention actions on study difficulties and early school leaving.
Module 2 - Development and education in cultural contexts. Qualitative research methods. Communication, relationships and learning in multicultural classrooms. Ethical implications of culturally oriented research and intervention.
Module 3 - The construction of identity throughout life. Communicative and relational processes in the plurality of scenarios and roles. Beliefs and self-representations. Writing and storytelling, signs and drawings to promote agency and responsibility in developmental contexts.
NOTE: The final programme actually carried out will be uploaded on the Moodle page at the end of the course. Students must refer to this programme when preparing for the exam.