Programmes & Modules Handbook

On this module, students will be introduced to the study of social development, in general, with a specific focus on the development of attachment behaviour and related aspects of development (e.g. development of the self; the family; peer relationships and friendships). The study of social development will be introduced in lectures on theoretical perspectives on social development; designs for studying development; and, key questions in the study of development. In addition, lectures will cover hypotheses from attachment theory (e.g. the maternal sensitivity hypothesis), the development of the self, the family, and peers and friendships.

By the end of the module the student should be able to:

• Describe, and critique some theoretical perspectives on, social development and attachment.
• Understand some critical questions in the study of social development (e.g. biological and environmental influences).
• Describe and evaluate designs and methods for studying social development.
• Discuss the development of face perception and the role of faces in social development.
• Examine key hypotheses in Bowlby and Ainsworth's attachment theory
• Discuss the development of, and influences on, aspects of the self (e.g. self-esteem, identity formation).
• Discuss how characteristics of the family (e.g. parenting styles, family size, maternal employment, sibling relationships) influence development.
• Discuss the development of, and influences on, peer relationships and friendships, and the consequences of these relationships for development.
• Demonstrate his or her knowledge and understanding of the module's content by constructing well-reasoned arguments that are based on the academic literature.