Psychological and Developmental Issues in Adolescence

• Credit value: 15 credits at Level 5
• Convenor: Ana Da Cunha Lewin
• Assessment: coursework of 3000 words (100%)

In this module we explore the potential impact of a range of developmental disorders, psychological disorders and adverse experiences on young people’s lives and on their education.

Indicative syllabus

• Introduction: recap of concepts and theories; theories of adolescent psychosocial, biological and cognitive development revisited, including puberty, family and peer relations, identity formation, development of autonomy and independence and sexuality; ethical and methodological problems of research with young people
• Developmental disorders: key explanations and strategies for managing and/or treating developmental conditions associated with adolescence, such as conduct disorders and gender identity disorders
• Psychological disorders: key explanations and strategies for managing and/or treating psychological conditions such as depression and anxiety disorders, eating disorders and self-harm
• Adverse experiences: impact and strategies for supporting and/or treating adverse experiences in young people’s lives, such as abuse, bullying, parental divorce or separation, substance abuse, issues of self-esteem and body image

By the end of the module, you will be able to:

• outline key ideas and major theories of adolescent development
• outline key aspects of psychosocial, biological and cognitive development in adolescence
• outline and critically evaluate the key explanations for the causes of a range of psychological conditions that particularly affect adolescents
• describe and evaluate the potential impact of these conditions on young people’s lives and education
• outline and critically evaluate the current psychological thinking on the impact of a range of adverse experiences on young people’s lives and education
• identify ethical and methodological problems in research with children.