Theoretical and methodological foundations of observational and experimental methods. Main techniques used in the study of the social, emotional and personal development: direct observation, clinical conversation, interview, questionnaire.
D'Odorico L. (1990). L'osservazione del comportamento infantile Milano, Cortina.
Lis A., Venuti P., De Zordo M.R. (1995). Il colloquio come strumento psicologico. Firenze, Giunti.
Stern D. (1987), Il mondo interpersonale del bambino. Boringhieri, Torino.
Zaummer V.L. (1998). Tecniche dell'intervista e del questionario. Bologna, Il Mulino.
Learning Objectives
Knowledge and understanding.
Critical knowledge of different theoretical and methodological paradigms in the study of development. Knowledge of the techniques of measurement and analysis: direct observation, clinical conversation, interview, questionnaire.
Applying knowledge and understanding.
Ability to analyze the developmental psychology studies. Ability to use the techniques of measurement and evaluation. Ideation ability and planning capacity in the study the development.
Making judgements
Analysing in a critical way the paradigms of the study and evaluation of the development discussed during the course
Communicative skills
Using specialistic language to expose the course's issues. Being capable of exposing and arguing personal points of view
learning skills
Being capable of empirical and theoretical connections: using learned concepts as tools to analyse the reality; using own life experiences as a source of examples by which making operative learned concepts. Developing a openness and dialogical attitude among psychological knowledge and that produced from other disciplines
Prerequisites
Knowing basic concepts and paradigms on developmental psychology. Knowing general features of emotional, social and cognitive development
Teaching Methods
Knowledge and understanding
Lectures, group discussions on the course's issues
Applying knowledge and understanding:
Design and application of research tools an measures in specific dimensions of development
Making judgements
Group discussion on the courses contents; planning and making personal investigations
Communicative skills
group discussions; presenting studies and personal works in an oral and written form
Learning skills
To individuate the basic phases of empirical studies presented during the course. To define studying tracks on the course's issues using personal experiences . To integrate new to old knowledges
Further information
none
Type of Assessment
Knowledge and understanding
A written multiple choice test on the course's contents. If the test gets a sufficient evaluation the student has to respond to an oral examination
applying knowledge and understanding
In the oral test and during classes the students' presentations and practices are evaluated
making judgements
During oral examination arguing own personal point of view and personal interest regarding possible personal investigations
Communicative skills
During oral examination and classes students' personal exposition are evaluated in regard to: expository clarity , expository complexity , capacity of expressing a personal point of view taking into consideration other possible points of views , respecting scheduled times
learning skills
During the oral examination: to be aware and to be capable of discussing methodologies used by different Authors and of connecting these to the concepts learned during the classes; to be able to express personal studying and reasoning processes that are used to process the course's issues
Course program
Observation method and observational techniques. Observational and experimental studies.
Empirical and clinical methods in the study of development. Theory and technique of measurement and evaluation: direct observation, interview, interview, questionnaire. Validity and reliability of the study techniques.