MCCCD Program Description

Developmental Psychology

Course: PSY240

First Term: 2022 Fall

Lecture 3.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S - Standard Load

Description: Human development from conception through death. Includes biological, physical, cognitive, emotional, and sociocultural development across various ages.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Integrate classic developmental theories across the lifespan with current research and evidence. (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, XI, X) 2. Apply the four core themes of development (nature vs. nurture, continuity vs. discontinuity, activity vs. passivity, and universality vs. context specificity) to explain differences from conception to death. (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, X) 3. Compare and contrast typical and atypical milestones and developmental trajectories. (II, III, IV, V, VI, VII) 4. Describe genetic, biological and environmental influences on prenatal development, birth and postnatal development and the factors that influence it. (I, II, VIII) 5. Describe physical, motor, and perceptual development and the factors that influence them across the lifespan. (I, III) 6. Summarize brain, biological, and physiological development and the factors that influence them across the lifespan. (I, IV) 7. Evaluate theories and the factors that influence cognitive development across the lifespan. (I, V) 8. Explain the major milestones of language development and some of the factors that influence them. (I, VI) 9. Predict the likely patterns of attachment, social, emotional, and personality development across the lifespan. (I,VII) 10. Synthesize how sociocultural variables such as parenting, peers, siblings, and other relationships influence development across the lifespan. (I, VIII) 11. Identify the development of gender identity, sexual orientation and sexual behavior. (I, II, IX) 12. Describe the physical, sociocultural, and emotional aspects of death and dying across the lifespan. (I, X)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Introduction to developmental psychology A. Four big themes in developmental psychology B. Theories of development C. Research methodologies II. Prenatal development, birth, and the neonate A. Description of prenatal development B. Influences on prenatal development including genetics, epigenetics, and teratogens C. Birth and the neonate III. Lifespan physical, perceptual and motor development A. Physical development B. Perceptual development C. Motor development D. Influences on physical, perceptual, and motor development IV. Lifespan brain development A. Influences on prenatal brain development B. Influences on postnatal brain development C. Variability in brain development V. Lifespan cognitive development A. Theories of cognitive development B. Influences on cognitive development C. Education D. Intelligence VI. Lifespan language development A. Theories of language development B. Influences on language development C. Multilingualism VII. Lifespan emotional development A. Attachment B. Temperament and personality C. Emotions VIII. Lifespan sociocultural factors A. Parenting B. Siblings C. Peers D. Other relationships IX. Gender/sexuality A. Sex and gender B. Gender roles C. Sexual orientation D. Sexual behavior X. Lifespan death and dying A. Physical aspects B. Bereavement C. Sociocultural factors

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: March 22, 2022

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.