Introduction to Psychology and the Individual from a Developmental Perspective
30.0 ECTS creditsThe course comprises four modules:
Module 1, Introduction to the psychology profession and psychology studies, treats the history of the psychologist profession, nationally and internationally. Students are introduced to study techniques, information retrieval, and academic writing.
Module 2, Development psychology in a life span perspective, deals with central theories in developmental psychology and current research in the field. Human development in a life span perspective from birth to ageing is discussed and related to the cognitive, emotional, and social development of each developmental phase. The interplay between biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors of development are discussed along with intersectional and gender equality issues. The relation between ethnicity, identity, and family patterns is treated and the cultural bias of developmental theories problematised. Central concepts and theories in developmental psychopathology, for example, the risk and vulnerability model, the ecological model, development lines and development information, trauma theory, neuropsychological disorders, bonding disorders, and family system theory.
Module 3, Theory of science and methods I, deals with the three components theory of science, methods, and statistics. The foundations of the evidence-based perspective are presented but the main focus is on basic experimental and non-experimental quantitative methods with a focus on statistical analysis, and an introduction to qualitative research methods.
Module 4, Self-reflection, communication and professional competencies, deals with professionalism, presentation techniques, self-representation, and applications of the life span perspective and the family system perspective. Observations in clinical practice such as child health and maternity clinics working with families from a health promotion perspective are included. Students meet psychologists and other professional groups who share their experiences.
Module 1, Introduction to the psychology profession and psychology studies, treats the history of the psychologist profession, nationally and internationally. Students are introduced to study techniques, information retrieval, and academic writing.
Module 2, Development psychology in a life span perspective, deals with central theories in developmental psychology and current research in the field. Human development in a life span perspective from birth to ageing is discussed and related to the cognitive, emotional, and social development of each developmental phase. The interplay between biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors of development are discussed along with intersectional and gender equality issues. The relation between ethnicity, identity, and family patterns is treated and the cultural bias of developmental theories problematised. Central concepts and theories in developmental psychopathology, for example, the risk and vulnerability model, the ecological model, development lines and development information, trauma theory, neuropsychological disorders, bonding disorders, and family system theory.
Module 3, Theory of science and methods I, deals with the three components theory of science, methods, and statistics. The foundations of the evidence-based perspective are presented but the main focus is on basic experimental and non-experimental quantitative methods with a focus on statistical analysis, and an introduction to qualitative research methods.
Module 4, Self-reflection, communication and professional competencies, deals with professionalism, presentation techniques, self-representation, and applications of the life span perspective and the family system perspective. Observations in clinical practice such as child health and maternity clinics working with families from a health promotion perspective are included. Students meet psychologists and other professional groups who share their experiences.
Progressive specialisation:
G1N (has only upper‐secondary level entry requirements)
Education level:
Undergraduate level
Admission requirements
General admission requirements plus upper secondary level Mathematics 2a/2b/2c/ and Civics 1b/1a1+ 1a2, or upper secondary level Mathematics B and Civics A
Selection:
Selection is usually based on your grade point average from upper secondary school or the number of credit points from previous university studies, or both.