PSYCH 211- Chapter 1
Psychology 211, Developmental Psychology
Winter 2014
Mondays & Wednesdays, 4:30-5:50 p.m.
Arts Lecture Hall 116
Instructor
Ori Friedman (PAS 4019)
An introduction to Developmental Psychology.
You will become familiar with the theories, experimental methodologies, and major findings of research on infant and child psychological development.
Why study developmental psychology?
1. Raising Children
“You did a good job on that one”
“You are good at drawing”
2. Choosing social policies
3. Understanding human nature
Shown to newborns
(36.7 hours old on average)
Which part of development?
a volatile topic
-recent (e.g., 1930s)
-surprising new findings
So about this course…
How will you be graded?
Four midterm tests (each worth 25%):
Jan 27, Feb 24, Mar 17, Apr 2
Tests are not cumulative.
All questions are multiple choice.
Are lecture notes posted online?
No questions during tests!
(Unless you don’t know the meaning of a basic English word, or suspect there is an important typo).
Is there a textbook?
Rutherford, M.D. (2011). Child Development:
Perspectives in Developmental Psychology. Oxford
University Press.
available at the bookstore + copy at Library.
Note: Book has strong evolutionary focus…
Do you need to attend class?
Yes!
Do you need to read the text?
Yes!
Grades cannot be improved through extraassignments or by re-weighing the tests.
WARNING: There are no REG credits.
Temporary grades will not be assigned, except because of serious medical problems or domestic issues.
Grades will not be curved or adjusted.
To succeed
1. Childhood ≠ Easy.
2. Ask yourself: Am I interested in this topic?
3. Attitude to multiple choice
4. Attend class and read the text!
To succeed
5. Jargon vs. English. e.g., “social referencing”
6. That seems obvious…
7. Understanding vs memorizing
8. Examples vs definitions
Please read the syllabus
Some important themes
Winter 2014
Mondays & Wednesdays, 4:30-5:50 p.m.
Arts Lecture Hall 116
Instructor
Ori Friedman (PAS 4019)
An introduction to Developmental Psychology.
You will become familiar with the theories, experimental methodologies, and major findings of research on infant and child psychological development.
Why study developmental psychology?
1. Raising Children
“You did a good job on that one”
“You are good at drawing”
2. Choosing social policies
3. Understanding human nature
Shown to newborns
(36.7 hours old on average)
Which part of development?
a volatile topic
-recent (e.g., 1930s)
-surprising new findings
So about this course…
How will you be graded?
Four midterm tests (each worth 25%):
Jan 27, Feb 24, Mar 17, Apr 2
Tests are not cumulative.
All questions are multiple choice.
Are lecture notes posted online?
No questions during tests!
(Unless you don’t know the meaning of a basic English word, or suspect there is an important typo).
Is there a textbook?
Rutherford, M.D. (2011). Child Development:
Perspectives in Developmental Psychology. Oxford
University Press.
available at the bookstore + copy at Library.
Note: Book has strong evolutionary focus…
Do you need to attend class?
Yes!
Do you need to read the text?
Yes!
Grades cannot be improved through extraassignments or by re-weighing the tests.
WARNING: There are no REG credits.
Temporary grades will not be assigned, except because of serious medical problems or domestic issues.
Grades will not be curved or adjusted.
To succeed
1. Childhood ≠ Easy.
2. Ask yourself: Am I interested in this topic?
3. Attitude to multiple choice
4. Attend class and read the text!
To succeed
5. Jargon vs. English. e.g., “social referencing”
6. That seems obvious…
7. Understanding vs memorizing
8. Examples vs definitions
Please read the syllabus
Some important themes