PSY1200 – Introduction to developmental psychology
Course description
Course content
The course provides an introduction to developmental psychology. It focuses on conveying an understanding of key developmental phenomena and theories of typical development in children and adolescents. Perceptual, cognitive, linguistic, emotional, personality and social development will be discussed, in light of developmental models and developmental studies. The phenomena and theories within the various development areas are considered in the light of modern empirical research.
Learning outcome
Knowledge:
You should be able to:
- Describe the main characteristics and variations in human development and the most important development mechanisms.
- Explain the most important conditions that influence development in different areas of childhood and adolescence.
- Outline the main theoretical points of view in different development areas and document knowledge of key empirical studies
Skills:
You should be able to:
- Provide a written description of child development in key development areas and the relationship between different development areas.
- Provide a written description of the main theories within the different development areas and discuss theories based on key empirical findings.
General competence:
You should have acquired:
- The ability to read critically and think independently about the development of children and adolescents under different conditions.
- An understanding of development as a complex interaction between biological conditions and social and cultural experience.
- An understanding that developmental psychological research requires a sensitive approach and an awareness of ethical considerations.
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with PSY2200 – Utviklingspsykologi I (discontinued).
- 10 credits overlap with PSY2200P.
- 10 credits overlap with PSY1200P.
- 10 credits overlap with PSYC1210 – Utviklingspsykologi.
- 5 credits overlap with PSYG.
- 5 credits overlap with PSY120.
- 5 credits overlap with PSY120.
- 5 credits overlap with PSY120P.
- 5 credits overlap with PSY120NKI.
- 5 credits overlap with PSY120NKI.
Teaching
NB! Bachelor students on 1.semester have to choose the same seminar group for the courses PSY1050, PSY1200, PSY1250. This means that if you choose "seminar 1" in PSY1200, you should also choose "seminar 1" in PSY1250 and PSY1050. As a part of a project to promote a good social learning environment on the bachelor program, we want you to meet the same group of students trough all your seminars this semester. The groups are set up so they are no in conflict in the schedule. For questions, please contact SV-info.
The teaching activities consists of lectures and seminars. The seminars offer instructions on writing, as well as other academic skills with reference to the semester assignment.
Compulsory activity:
The seminars will be compulsory, with attendance 4/5 times.
There will also be two compulsory multiple choice tests that has to be passed to get access to the exam.
Take a look at the general guidelines for compulsory activity.
The e-learning tool Canvas will be used during the course.
Seminar 99 is the alternative to be chosen in Studentweb for those students NOT following seminars. To replace mandatory attendance, students have to hand in a short essay on topics chosen by the teachers. Students on the 99-seminar will also have to pass the multiple choice tests.
Information regarding change of seminar group
Absence from compulsory activity
In the event of illness or other valid reasons, you can apply for a valid absence or postponement of compulsory activity.
Apply for valid absence from or need for postponement of compulsory activity
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Access to teaching
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
Individual semester essay. Requirements about the form and the content of the essay will be provided at the beginning of the course and posted on Canvas.
Examination support material
Generating all or part of the exam answer using AI tools such as Chat GPT or similar is not allowed.
Language of examination
You may write your semester essay in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
If you are sick or have another valid reason for not attending the regular exam, we offer a postponed exam later in the same semester.
See also our information about resitting an exam.
Candidates are not allowed to hand in a rewritten term paper. It is prohibitited to chose same topic twice.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.