11/3/2025 4:48:13 PM	PSYC 8 Course Outline as of Summer 2025	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  PSYC 8	Title:  INTRO/LIFESPAN PSYCH
Full Title:  Introduction to Lifespan Psychology
Last Reviewed:12/9/2019

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		4 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  PSYCH 8

Catalog Description:

This course provides an overview, from a psychological perspective, of human development from conception through death, including biological and environmental influences.  Theories and research of physical, cognitive, personality, and social development are examined, as well as attention to developmental problems.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

This course provides an overview, from a psychological perspective, of human development from conception through death, including biological and environmental influences.  Theories and research of physical, cognitive, personality, and social development are examined, as well as attention to developmental problems.

(Grade Only)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:	Fall 2015	Inactive:	Fall 2025
Area:	D L4 L8 D	Social and Behavioral Sciences Social and Behavioral Sciences Student Success and Wellness Social and Behavioral Sciences
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	D	Social Science		Fall 2015
	D9	Psychology
	E	Lifelong Learning and Self Development
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	4	Social and Behavioral Science		Fall 2015
	4I	Psychology
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 2015	Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 2015	Inactive:
C-ID:
CID Descriptor: PSY 180	Introduction to Lifespan Psychology	SRJC Equivalent Course(s): PSYC8

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1.   Demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of the main theoretical element and application of psychology to life development, from conception through death.

2.   Define and identify key concepts in multiple areas of lifespan psychology including concepts, facts and theoretical perspectives.

 

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1.  Contrast and compare developmental theories and approaches, including how different

      theoretical perspectives affect or determine the research and applications that arise

     from them.

2.  Analyze elements of a scientific approach to understanding human development in a  

      biopsychosocial context.

3.  Identify biological, psychological, and sociocultural influences on lifespan development.

4.  Describe the ways in which psychological principles and research apply to real world

      problems and issues across the lifespan.

5.  Describe the sequences of physical, social, and cognitive development across the lifespan,

      using the constructs and conceptual framework provided by psychological perspectives.

6.  Identify and describe the techniques and methods used by developmental psychologists

      to study human development.

7.  Identify and describe classic and contemporary theories and research in lifespan psychology.

8.  Describe the developing person at different periods of the lifespan.

9.  Identify possible causes or sources of developmental change and reasons for disturbances

      in the developmental process.

Topics and Scope

I. Introduction to Human Development

    A. Definitions and controversies in the field (traditional verses lifespan, continuous verses

           discontinuous, nature verses nurture)

    B. The scientific method

    C. Approaches to studying change over time

II. Developmental Theories      

    A. Psychodynamic theories

     B. Learning theories

     C. Contextual theories (e.g., sociocultural)

    D. Cognitive theories

     E. Humanistic theories

III. Genetics

    A. Genes, chromosomes and genetic transmission  

     B. Genetic and chromosomal disorders      

IV. Prenatal Development and Birth

    A. Stages of prenatal development and birth (labor)

    B. Effects of the environment on prenatal development

    C. Neonatal testing and competencies

V. Physical, Cognitive, and Psychosocial Development

    A. Infancy, early childhood,

   B. Middle childhood, adolescence,

   C. Early adulthood,

    D. Middle adulthood and late adulthood

VI. Dying and Death

    A. Socioemotional aspects of dying

    B. Grief and loss

    C. Social aspects of death

Assignments:

1. Read approximately 35 pages per week

2. Writing assignment that may include research, experiential, response, or project for a

      minimum of 1,250 words

3. Quizzes, exams, and a final

4. Oral presentation and/or group project may be assigned

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 30 - 60%
Research, experiential, response, or project paper
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 40 - 60%
Quizzes, Exams, and a Final
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 10%
Oral presentation and/or group project

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

The Developing Person Through the Life Span. 10th ed. Berger, Kathleen Stassen. Worth. 2017

 

Exploring Lifespan Development. 4th ed. Berk, Laura. Pearson. 2019

 

Development Through the Lifespan. 7th ed, Berk, Laura Pearson. 2018

 

Lifespan Development. 19th ed. Santrock, John. McGraw-Hill. 2019

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