Learning outcomes

The fundamental part of this course, focused on Developmental Psychology, is aimed to provide students with a basic knowledge and conceptual and methodological tools for understanding the main developmental processes in different psychological domains (motor, perceptive, socioemotional, communicative-linguistic, and cognitive domains) from prenatal life to adolescence. In particular, it is aimed to promote the consideration of human development as a complex dynamic process that emerges from the interaction between biological and environmental factors.
Moreover, from the perspective of Educational Psychology - which applies knowledge of mental development processes to study learning in educational contexts - the course is also aimed to provide students with basic knowledge and tools for understanding learning processes promoted within school and other educational contexts.
On the whole, the course of Developmental and Educational Psychology is aimed to promote reflections on the relationship between development and learning, as well as to sensitize students to the observation of children’s behavior in educational contexts.

Program

Change processes that characterize developmental phases within different developmental domains will be presented in the light of the classic theories by Piaget, Vygotskij, Bowlby, their latest developments, and theoretical hypotheses offered by more recent research areas (e.g., infant research, theory of mind).
After an introduction to the most important issues addressed by developmental psychology, the lessons will focus on child development from prenatal and neonatal period through infancy, childhood - preschool and school years - to early adolescence and adolescence, investigating developmental changes and factors and processes underlying changes.
A particular attention will be paid to:
- the relationship between socioemotional and cognitive processes;
- individual and cultural differences.
Sociocultural approach will be presented as a main theoretical framework to address fundamental topics such as the interdependence between biological and cultural factors in child learning processes, and individual differences in such processes. The lessons will focus also on motivation, self-regulation, and metacognition in school learning.

Didactic methods
During lessons, explanations supported by visual devises will be alternated with moments in which students will be actively engaged in discussions and analyses of research videos illustrative of concepts and issues addressed.

Exam texts
The exam on Developmental and Education Psychology will be given in an only test. The prepare the exam, the study of three volumes: an handbook of Developmental Psychology, a monograph, and an handbook of Education Psychology (only some chapters).
1) Belsky, J. (2007/2009). Psicologia dello sviluppo, Vol. I. Bologna: Zanichelli, no chapters 2 (pp.28-72) and 10.
2) One of the following volumes, according to personal interest:
A) Infancy
Lavelli, M. (2007). Intersoggettività. Origini e primi sviluppi. Milano: Raffaello Cortina, only the introduction and the second part.
B) Childhood
Siegal, M. (1999). Conversazione e sviluppo cognitivo. Milano: Raffaello Cortina, no chapters 3, 5, 7.
C) Adolescence
Pietropolli Charmet, G. (2000). I nuovi adolescenti. Padri e madri di fronte a una sfida. Milano: Raffaello Cortina.
3) Mason, L. (2006). Psicologia dell’apprendimento e dell’istruzione. Bologna: Il Mulino, only chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7.

4 CFU exam texts (old program for students admitted in 2006-07 or 2007-08)
1) Belsky, J. (2007/2009). Psicologia dello sviluppo, Vol. I. Bologna: Zanichelli, no chapters 2 (pp.28-72) and 10.

8 CFU exam texts (old program for students admitted before 2006-07)
1) Belsky, J. (2007/2009). Psicologia dello sviluppo, Vol. I. Bologna: Zanichelli.
2) One of the following volumes, according to personal interest:
A) Infancy
Lavelli, M. (2007). Intersoggettività. Origini e primi sviluppi. Milano: Raffaello Cortina, only the introduction and the second part.
B) Childhood
Siegal, M. (1999). Conversazione e sviluppo cognitivo. Milano: Raffaello Cortina, no chapters 3, 5, 7.
C) Adolescence
Pietropolli Charmet, G. (2000). I nuovi adolescenti. Padri e madri di fronte a una sfida. Milano: Raffaello Cortina.

Examination Methods

Written exam: the student will have 2 hours to answer to six open questions on topics illustrated in the exam texts (see above). No variation between students attending and not attending the course.