Module manager: Luísa Superbia Guimarães
Email: L.SuperbiaGuimaraes@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
Successful completion of Level 1 of relevant programmes listed above.
| PSYC1633 | Developmental Psychology |
PSYC2510 Advanced Developmental Psychology
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module introduces you to advanced topics, methods and research applications in the field of developmental psychology. We explore a range of issues to show the ways psychologists are trying to understand complexities in infancy, childhood and adult development across the lifespan, and apply these in practice. We look at typical developmental processes as well as neurodevelopmental disorders and individual differences to build your knowledge and understanding of the field.
This module aims to:
- Provide an in-depth exploration of classic and recent theories and research in developmental psychology
- Promote a critical understanding of both cognitive and social factors within development, and how environmental factors affect both of those
- Explore and critically evaluate key models, frameworks and research methods in this area;
- Reflect on the theoretical and practical implications of the issues covered, integrating information from across the field to present a holistic understanding of development.
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge across a range of topics within developmental psychology
2. Demonstrate in-depth conceptual knowledge within individual differences, as it relates to developmental psychology
3. Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the practical application of developmental psychology theory
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
4. Critical thinking: Critically discuss practical, theoretical, and ethical issues associated with a range of developmental psychological research methodologies and approaches 
5. Future thinking: Apply, with evidence, in-depth developmental psychological theory to address real-world issues
6. Communication: Generate evidence-based guidance for a developmental psychology issue
Topics will include:
- Early perceptual development
- Numerical cognition and reasoning
- Executive functions and attention
- Language and communication development
- Motor development and function
- Socio-cognitive development and function
- Developing our preferences and attitudes
- Life transitions
- Genetic, environmental, and socio-cultural influences on identity and behaviour
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 15 | 1 | 15 |
| Seminars | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Private study hours | 180 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Formative feedback will be provided via the weekly seminars. Students will be set short assessment-relevant tasks and will receive hands on staff support and structured peer feedback on the outputs of these.
Lectures will include practice exam questions to check understanding and there will be a workshop week dedicated to the exam.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Group Pitch | 25 |
| Assignment | (Formative) In-class group pitch tasks to support the development of group pitch | 0 |
| In-course Assessment | (Formative) In-class exam questions | 0 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 25 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 2.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 75 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 75 | |
The exam consists of both multiple choice and short answer questions. Students are required to pass both the examination and coursework components of the module, by achieving a pass mark of 40% or more for the examination and a coursework mark of 40% or more.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/06/2026
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