Developmental psychology offers critical insight into human behaviour across the lifespan: why we are who we are, how we became that way, and how we are likely to end up in the future. In this unit, you will develop and apply knowledge of key underlying principles, theories and concepts in developmental psychology from a lifespan perspective. You will also develop and apply scientific knowledge of developmental processes in the physical, cognitive and psychosocial domains. You will explore the key themes that cut across the many and varied topics in lifespan developmental psychology, including issues of lifelong growth and development, nature vs. nurture, continuity within change, developmental diversity, and the importance of the social, historical, and cultural context in development. Throughout the unit, a scientific approach to the study of developmental psychology will be emphasised, and you will be encouraged to develop a critical and applied understanding of theory and research in developmental psychology.

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Student feedback

Students provided positive feedback regarding the detailed tutorial content and learning activities. A small number of students indicated they could not engage with the live or recorded tutorials due to workload.

Continue providing multiple options for students to engage with learning activities flexibly, including inside and outside class time.

Feedback from Teacher reflection

Students appear to require more detailed information regarding research ethics and methods for conducting research to support the development of their Assessment 2 research proposals.

Identify opportunities to connect learning in this unit to introductory research ethics and methodology in Level 1 units (e.g., Research Methods 1). Consider expanding content relating to ethics and test selection in lecture content earlier in the term (e.g., Week 2: Science of Human Development topic).