APSB21010U Developmental Psychology

Volume 2025/2026
Education

The course is open to:

  • Bachelor Programme in Psychology
  • 45 ECTS og 75 ECTS minor choice

 

The course is open to:

  • Exchange and Guest students from abroad
  • Open University students

Curriculum - UCPH

Content

Developmental psychology is the scientific study of human development, covering periods from infancy through childhood to adolescence. A fundamental assumption in developmental psychology is that human development occurs within a specific environment and sociocultural context, profoundly influencing the individual child's developmental trajectory.

The course aims to provide an overview of the biological, cognitive, emotional, and social changes occurring during this period, introduce key theories and methods in developmental psychology, and present quantitative and qualitative empirical research reflecting current international research within the field.

A central theme explored throughout the course concerns how development is shaped by multiple levels of context – including genotype and neurobiology; social interactions with caregivers and peers; family, daycare and school environments, norms and culture, broader ecological conditions; and our species evolutionary history.

The course serves as a foundation for more applied courses related to infants, children, and adolescents, such as educational psychology (BA), clinical psychology (BA and MA), and social development and integration psychology (MA).

Learning Outcome

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

 

Knowledge:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of human development and variations in typical development (0-18 years) across different levels, including biological, social, and cultural, as well as in different developmental contexts.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of key theories and research methods in developmental psychology and their strengths and weaknesses in explaining and uncovering developmental processes.

 

Skills:

  • Identify relevant theories, concepts, and empirical studies to analyse given developmental psychological issues.
  • Analyse key similarities and differences between relevant theories, concepts, and empirical studies.
  • Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of selected theories and empirical studies in explaining given developmental psychological issues.

 

Competences:

  • Integrate concepts, methods, and empirical data into a theoretical and evidence-based discussion of given issues within developmental psychology.
  • Demonstrate the ability to engage critically and reflectively with developmental theories and research findings, including when these present ambiguity or differing perspectives.

1400 pages of mandatory literature and 100 pages of self-chosen literature. The self-chosen literature will not be part of the examination but will be included in seminar and practical classes as part of the active participation.

It is recommended, but not required, that Statistics and Quantitative Research Design I and II, Qualitative Methods and Research Design, Biological Psychology and Neuropsychology, as well as Social Psychology, Personality Psychology, and Cognitive Psychology are passed prior to Developmental Psychology.
The teaching consists of lectures, seminars, and practical exercises
• For lectures, students are expected to prepare by studying the assigned literature listed in the lecture plan.
• In seminars, various theoretical perspectives and empirical studies are presented and discussed through different learning activities. Active participation is expected, including group-based tasks and discussions in smaller groups and plenary sessions. Specific readings are assigned for each seminar class, which students are expected to have read prior to coming to class.
• Practical sessions focus specifically on examining key methods within developmental psychology (e.g., experiments, interviews, and observations) and discussing the strengths and weaknesses of these methods in relation to development at different ages. Active participation is required and knowledge will be assessed as part of the final exam.
• The final exam will be based on knowledge acquired through lectures, seminars, and practical sessions.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 40
  • Class Instruction
  • 24
  • Exercises
  • 18
  • Total
  • 82
Not relevant
Credit
15 ECTS
Type of assessment
On-site written exam, 3 hours
Type of assessment details
Students will sit a 3-hour exam individually. The exam will require answering 3 questions in short essay form.
Examination prerequisites

Attendance at 5/7 of the seminar classes and 5/7 of the practical classes is mandatory.

Aid
Only certain aids allowed (see description below)

The reading list will be made available for the purposes of aiding with citations.

Unless otherwise specified, the Department of Psychology prohibits the use of generative AI software and large language models (AI/LLMs), such as ChatGPT, for generating novel and creative content in written exams. However, students may use AI/LLMs to enhance the presentation of their own original work, such as text editing, argument validation, or improving statistical programming code. Students must disclose in an appendix if and how AI/LLMs were used; this appendix will not count toward the page limit of the exam. This policy is in place to ensure that students’ written exams accurately reflect their own knowledge and understanding of the material.

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
Exam period

Exam information:

The examination date can be found in the exam schedule    here

The exact time and place will be available in Digital Exam from the middle of the semester. 

Re-exam

Same as the ordinary exam.

Reexam information:

The reexamination date/period can be found in the reexam schedule    here

Criteria for exam assesment

Students are assessed on the extent to which they master the learning outcome for the course.

 

To obtain the top grade “12”, the student must with no or only a few minor weaknesses be able to demonstrate an excellent performance displaying a high level of command of all aspects of the relevant material and can make use of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.

 

To obtain the passing grade “02”, the student must in a satisfactory way be able to demonstrate a minimal acceptable level of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.