Course Description:
Developmental Psychopathology is designed to introduce students to a field, which has emerged as a unique discipline in the past two decades, to interpret non-normal developmental paths from within the framework of normative development. It has four central characteristics: 1) the use of classical developmental theory and research to inform issues of psychopathology; 2) the use of insights from developmentally atypical populations to increase understanding of normal developmental processes; 3) integration of methods and theories from various social science disciplines; and 4) derivation of implications for interventions and social policy. Students will learn about the basic issues underlying this field and apply them to better understand the range of developmental possibilities. They will learn about the nature and extent of various disorders through an understanding of common etiologies and developmental trajectories. By the end of the course, students should be able to define developmental psychopathology and explain how it differs from other traditions, understand how to identify and study developmental deviations, describe some of the most common forms of abnormal development, and apply the knowledge gained throughout the course to diverse populations of children and families.
Prerequisites: A lifespan human development course is required, such as Human Development at CDL. Introduction to Psychology, Human Exceptionalities, and Abnormal Psychology would augment understanding of this material.
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