Development Throughout the Lifespan

This unit offers students overviews of a number of theories relating to development throughout the lifespan. It explores theories associated with physical, cognitive, emotional, social, moral, and sexual development. It further provides an in-depth investigation of normative, idiopathic, and interrupted development and their consequences. A range of developmental issues that may present in counselling are explored.

Learning Outcomes

• Explore the key controversies in developmental psychology
• Critique a range of theories related to development throughout the lifespan
• Analyse the developmental issues related to physical, cognitive, emotional, social, moral, and sexual areas
• Assess the impact of the family on development of the individual
• Explain reasons for interrupted development
• Identify and apply theory related to interrupted development
• Reflect on and assess your own development pattern and impacts upon it

Content Areas

• Controversies and Concepts in Developmental Psychology
• Theoretical Explanations for Development
• Physical Development Throughout the Lifespan
• Cognitive Development Throughout the Lifespan
• Emotional Development Throughout the Lifespan
• Social Development Throughout the Lifespan
• Moral Development Throughout the Lifespan
• Families and Attachment
• Gender and Sexuality Throughout the Lifespan
• The Impact of Interrupted Development on Human Behaviour
• Assisting Others to Manage End of Life Issues
• Managing Developmental Issues in Counselling

Unit Duration and Workload

This unit involves a total of 36 hours of face to face delivery or self-directed study including educator contact in flexible delivery modes, generating a further 120 hours of self-study per unit including research and related study activities, including assessment. This translates as 13 hours per week for the unit.