Introduction to developmental psychology from a life cycle perspective, with reference to the main psychological processes underlying cognitive, emotional-affective, and social development. A particular attention will be given to the applications of interest to social workers, with in-depth analysis on specific issues such as family relationships, the development of prosocial and antisocial behaviors, maltreatment, and the promotion of well-being.
• AA.VV. (2021). Elementi di psicologia dello sviluppo per Servizio Sociale (selezione di argomenti creata dal docente appositamente per questo corso con il servizio Create). McGraw Hill. ISBN: 9781307740431.
• Kloep, M., Hendry, L. B., Sica, L. S., & Aleni Sestito, L. (2021). Lo sviluppo nel ciclo di vita. Cambiamenti, sfide e transizioni. Il Mulino. ISBN: 9788815293725.
• Grussu, P., Dal Bello, A., & Quatraro, R. M. (2019). Salute psicologica perinatale in donne con storie infantili di abuso sessuale, maltrattamento e trascuratezza: una rassegna sistematica qualitativa. Psicologia Clinica dello Sviluppo, 23, 175-190. doi: 10.1449/94338. (See on Moodle how to download it for free using the Proxy Unifi.)
• Maglione, D., Pizzoli, S. F. M., & Caputi, M. (2017). Punizioni fisiche parentali e sintomatologia esternalizzante nel corso dell’infanzia e della preadolescenza: una rassegna. Psicologia Clinica dello Sviluppo, 21, 341-367. doi:10.1449/88498. (See on Moodle how to download it for free using the Proxy Unifi.)
• The materials provided by the professor on Moodle.
Learning Objectives
Knowledge and understanding: the course aims to provide a knowledge on: a) theoretical aspects of developmental psychology from a life cycle perspective; b) life-span perspective, from childhood to the old age; c) psychological processes and mechanisms that regulate cognitive, emotional-affective, and social development;
d) ability to recognize risk factors, protective factors, needs and resources concerning individuals in different ages of life and social groups, with particular reference to the area of family relationships, prosocial and antisocial behaviors, maltreatment, and the promotion of well-being.
Applying knowledge and understanding: the course aims to provide the necessary skills to social workers to grasp the psychological needs and resources of individuals in different ages of life and of social groups, in order to outline prevention, evaluation or intervention programs.
Making judgments: promotion of a critical reflection that goes beyond the notional knowledge of the topics.
Communication skills: promotion of a technical language to communicate clearly with specialist and non-specialist interlocutors.
Learning skills: stimulate interest in discipline and in-depth study.
Prerequisites
None
Teaching Methods
Knowledge and understanding: lectures, with possible seminars held in collaboration with other professionals.
Applying knowledge and understanding: proposal of individual or group exercises aimed at applying theoretical knowledge to case studies, hypothetical scenarios or real contexts.
Making judgments: seminar activities and group discussion on specific topics.
Communication skills: use of correct vocabulary.
Learning skills: tasks performed independently.
Further information
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Type of Assessment
Oral examination.
Course program
The main themes of developmental psychology from a life cycle perspective. Main elements of both traditional theories and more recent ecological theories. Brain and physical development, with attention to motor, sensory, and perceptual development. The various models to explain the interactions between hereditary factors and the environment. Processes of cognitive, emotional-affective, and social development. Specific focus to adaptive and maladaptive psychological processes of particular interest to a social worker, in order to recognize the needs and the resources of individuals in different ages of life and of social groups: family relationships, moral development and the development of prosocial and antisocial behaviors, the phenomenon of maltreatment, positive psychology (well-being, stress, and coping strategies).
ATTENTION: The final program actually carried out will be uploaded to the Moodle page at the end of the teaching period. Students must refer to that program for the preparation of the final examination.