Theoretical and methodological foundations of observational and experimental methods and of main techniques used in the study of the social, emotional and personality development: direct observation, clinical conversation, interview, questionnaires, sociometric tecniques, peers nominations.
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Learning Objectives
Knowledge and understanding
The course aims to provide basic knowledge on the theoretical aspects and the psychometric characteristics of the most significant instruments to assess the psychological development across the life span.
Applying knowledge and understanding.
The course will provide students the basic, theoretical and methodological, knowledges required to: critically analyse the research in developmental psychology; use the main methods and techniques to detect the developmental processes and characteristics; learn to plan research in developmental psychology.
Making judgments.
Particular emphasis will be paid to develop in students a critical attitude and to teach them to evaluate the strengths and limitations of the different methods and tools presented and discussed during the course
Communication skills.
The course will provide students with the necessary knowledge to acquire a specific, correct and pertinent vocabulary to communicate and argue the concepts studied.
Learning skills
Basic knowledges on nature and characteristics of main methods and techniques to assess psychological development; Ability to connect empirical and theoretical aspects of discussed issues, and use learned concepts as tools to analyse the reality. Developing a openness and dialogical attitude among psychological and other disciplines knowledge.
Prerequisites
Knowing basic concepts and paradigms on developmental psychology. Knowing general features of emotional, social and cognitive development across life-span
Teaching Methods
Knowledge and understanding
Lectures, group discussions on the course's issues.
Applying knowledge and understanding.
▶ Exercises in class on the administration, coding and reading protocols from the presented. tools
▶ Making judgments Seminars and group discussion on specific topics that are part of examination program. Planning and implementing personal investigations on specific topics.
Communication skills.
▶ group discussions on the course’s contents and presentations of personal works in an oral and written form, to improve the use of a correct, specific and pertinent of subject matter vocabulary , .
Learning skills.
Learning skills to individuate the main methodological aspects of empirical studies presented during the course ; define research tracks on the course's issues, also starting from personal experiences, and integrate new and old knowledges.
Further information
None
Type of Assessment
Knowledge and understanding
Written exam with open and multiple choice questions to answers.
Applying knowledge and understanding
▶ Checking in class capacity to critically discuss themmethodological aspects of research in developmental psychology.
Making judgments.
Arguing own personal point of view and personal interests on specific topics that are part of examination program.
Communication skills.
▶ Use of a correct vocabulary and, specific and is pertinent to discussed issues. In particular, will be evaluated the expository clarity and complexity , the capacity of expressing a personal point of view taking into consideration other possible points of views , respecting scheduled times
topics.
Learning skills.
Will be considered the students skills of: critically evaluating and discussing methods and techniques presented during the course.
Active class attendance will be take in account for the student’s evaluation.
Course program
The research designs: longitudinal. cross-sectional and sequential studies. The experimental and differential methods. The observation in educational and social contexts. Observation method and observational techniques of data collection in developmental psychology, with particular reference to piagetian observation, psychoanalytical observation, and etological observation. The methods to personality assessment:clinical interview, psychometric techniques, and self-report questionnaires.
The measure of social skills: interview and questionnaires.
The sociometric peer nomination techniques.