Psychology of Development

There is no recommended Basic Knowledge.

The curricular unit will prioritise active and participatory learning methodologies, focused on the exploration of problems and challenges related to human development, the analysis and discussion of situations across the lifespan, and the application of knowledge to contexts related to Physiotherapy. The presentation and systematisation of the main concepts will be combined with individual and small-group activities, promoting participation, critical thinking, and the ability to apply knowledge.

Knowledge

By the end of the course unit, students should be able to:

1. Define the fundamental concepts, principles, and factors associated with human development.

2. Identify the main concepts and stages of Piaget’s and Vygotsky’s theories of cognitive development.

3. Recognize the main stages of language acquisition and development, as well as the characteristics of psychosocial and moral development in childhood.

4. Describe the progression of motor development and prehension in childhood.

5. Identify the characteristics of development from adolescence to old age.

Skills

By the end of the course unit, students should be able to:

1. Apply concepts and principles of human development to the analysis of specific situations.

2. Relate concepts from Piaget’s and Vygotsky’s theories to situations involving cognitive development.

3. Interpret behaviours and language, psychosocial, and moral development achievements according to the child’s developmental level.

4. Analyse situations related to motor development and grasping in light of the child’s developmental trajectory.

5. Compare developmental characteristics in adolescence, adulthood, and old age.

Competences

By the end of the course unit, students should be able to:

1. Assess developmental situations, taking into account the individual’s characteristics and contextual factors.

2. Justify the importance of individual variability in human development.

3. Provide a rationale for the importance of knowledge of human development for Physiotherapy practice.

4. Argue for the influence of developmental characteristics on understanding the person in a Physiotherapy context.

5. Assess developmental characteristics in adolescence, adulthood, and old age, taking into account the variability of developmental trajectories.

Module 1. Developmental Psychology: Fundamentals

1.1 Key Concepts

1.2 Factors Influencing Development

1.3 Development Across the Lifespan

Module 2. Development in Childhood

2.1 Cognitive Development

2.2 Language Acquisition and Development

2.3 Psychosocial and Moral Development

2.4 Motor Development and Prehension

Module 3. Development from Adolescence to Old Age

3.1 Adolescence

3.2 Adulthood

3.3 Old Age

The assessment of students throughout the semester will be carried out through:

1. Participation in flash active-learning activities carried out during class, with particular emphasis on the student's regular engagement and participation (10%).
2. An individual written test, comprising questions assessing knowledge, understanding, and the ability to apply the content covered in Module 1 and the first part of Module 2 (40%);
3. An individual applied assessment activity focused on motor development and prehension, assessing understanding and the ability to apply and analyse knowledge (40%);
4. An individual applied assessment activity focused on the exploration of situations related to adolescence, adulthood, and old age, assessing the ability to apply and analyse knowledge about development across the lifespan (10%)

The grade awarded for participation in classroom activities will be contingent upon the student's participation in at least 75% of the proposed classroom activities. For the remaining assessment components, a minimum grade of 9 out of 20 is required. To pass the course unit, students must achieve a weighted average grade of at least 9.5.

Students who do not successfully complete the course unit through assessment carried out during the semester may sit a written examination during the assessment periods scheduled for that purpose. The examination will cover all course content and will consist of a written test assessing students' understanding and analysis of the topics covered, as well as their ability to apply knowledge to specific situations. Successful completion requires a grade of at least 9.5 out of 20.

NAO