Unit Outline

This unit provides coverage of human development over the lifespan (infancy to old age) including cognitive and social-emotional domains of development. The major periods of development are examined, including infancy, childhood, adolescence and adulthood, emphasising predominant developmental aspects for different periods of development. In the practical component, students engage in empirical investigation intended to deepen and extend their understanding of development and the changes in functioning and behaviour it entails. Investigations address discrete aspects of human development and a range of developmental periods, and include student participation and training in data coding and collection. Students also complete practical exercises that will enhance their knowledge of developmental issues.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Critically analyse and interpret major concepts, theories, and research evidence related to changes across the lifespan and across cultural settings.
2	Apply knowledge of physical, cognitive, social and emotional lifespan development to code and interpret naturalistic data and behaviours.
3	Interpret the information needs of diverse audiences and communicate theoretical concepts in tailored formats to address real-world situations

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	PSY211 - Research Skills in Psychology
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	KHA220 AND KHA362 AND KHA200 AND KHA262 AND KHA250 KHA302

Alterations as a result of student feedback

We use student feedback to improve our units each year, in terms of student engagement, learning experience, and the effectiveness and meaningfulness of assessment pieces. The following changes have been made as a direct result of student feedback, and of our own reflections on the unit:

The order and focus of the lecture topics have been changed for more logical flow.

The proportion of face-to-face and self-directed pracs (for on-campus students) has been tweaked over several years to achieve high levels of self-reported student satisfaction.

The due date of the first assignment has been brought earlier in the semester to spread workload more evenly.

As always, the teaching team will greatly appreciate your feedback both informally during the delivery of the unit in 2025, and formally through the University of Tasmania’s Unit Survey following your completion of the unit.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Data coding	Week 2	4 %	LO2
Assessment Task 2:	Quizzes x 2	Week 6	6 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 3:	Research report	Week 7	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 4:	Assignment	Week 12	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 5:	Written examination	Exam Period	40 %	LO1, LO2

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Data coding

Task Description:

Coding data for research report

Task Length:

Transform qualitative data to quantitative codes

Due Date:

Week 2

Weight:

4 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Application of knowledge of physical, cognitive, social and emotional lifespan development to code naturalistic data and behaviours.	LO2

Assessment Task 2: Quizzes x 2

Task Description:

Prac quizzes x 2 (3% each)

Date due - Weeks 6 and 9

Task Length:

Approx 150 words each

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

6 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Critically analyse and interpret concepts, theories, and research evidence, including own observation, related to cognitive and social change across the lifespan.	LO1
2	Apply knowledge of physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional lifespan development to interpret naturalistic behaviours.	LO2

Assessment Task 3: Research report

Task Description:

Research report on one aspect of human development.

Task Length:

1500 words

Due Date:

Week 7

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Overview of study (title and abstract) is clear, concise, and accurate (10%)	LO1, LO3
2	Background is clear, flow of argument is logical and smooth, hypotheses are well justified (25%)	LO1
3	Methodology is clear, relevant, concise, accurate (15%)	LO2
4	Descriptive and inferential statistics are reported accurately (15%)	LO2
5	Results are correctly evaluated, connections made with previous findings, thoughtful reasons given for results, sophisticated discussion of implications and future directions (25%)	LO1, LO2
6	Expression is engaging, flowing, appropriately formatted, minimal errors (10%)	LO3

Assessment Task 4: Assignment

Task Description:

Long answers on socio-emotional development

Task Length:

900 words

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identification and theoretical justification of attachment and parenting styles (40%)	LO1
2	Integration and interpretation of information (40%)	LO2
3	Communication of key concepts (20%)	LO3

Assessment Task 5: Written examination

Task Description:

Written examination; short answer and essay questions.

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

You will need the following text:

White, F.A., Hayes, B.K., & Livesey, D.J. (2016). Developmental Psychology: From infancy to adulthood. (Fourth edition). Frenchs Forest, Australia: Pearson Education.

It is important that you have ongoing access to this textbook, and a hard copy will be available for a limited loan period from the University of Tasmania Library reserve collection. However, you are encouraged to buy or access a personal copy so that you can keep up with the weekly readings. The same textbook was used for this unit in recent years, and second-hand copies are often available.
You can buy the textbook via the link provided on the UTAS Course and Unit Handbook page for this unit.