ADOLESCENT AND ADULT DEVELOPMENT, PSY 332, Spring 2015
SYLLABUS AND COURSE OUTLINE
Tuesday 3:30 to 6:10 p.m. Room NE 060
Instructor: Dr. Joseph M. Price, Professor
Alexa Young, T.A.
Department of Psychology, SDSU
I.
Course Description: The focus of this course will be on: (a) the sequence of human
development from early adolescence through early adulthood; (b) major developmental
changes and processes within various domains of development (e.g., physical, cognitive,
emotional, moral, and social); (c) theoretical perspectives currently being used to guide
adolescent and adult developmental research; (d) research methodology used in
developmental psychology; (e) the contexts of development (e.g., family, society, and culture);
(f) applications of developmental theory and research; and (g) evidence based strategies for
addressing the major developmental tasks of adolescence and early adulthood.
II.
A. Objectives: The primary goal of this course is to increase student understanding of the
sequence and nature of development during adolescence and early adulthood, the processes
underlying developmental change and stability (e.g., hereditary and environmental influences),
explanations for individual differences in development, the theoretical perspectives and
research methods currently being used to examine human development, and the application
of developmental research for addressing major developmental tasks of these important
developmental periods.
B. Psychology Department Student Learning Objectives: Mastery of the content of this
course will also contribute to the following specific Psychology Department Student Learning
Objectives.
1.1 Identify notable individuals together with their contributions to developmental psychology.
1.2. Explain the nature-nurture controversy, and describe supportive findings from different areas of science
supporting the nature of the interaction between nature and nurture.
1.3. Explain the roles of persons, situations, and person-situation interactions as causes of behavior.
1.4. Identify different parts of the brain and demonstrate knowledge of their function as they relate to the areas
important to physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development and why.
2.1. Use the concepts, language, and major theories of the field to account for psychological phenomena.
2.2. Identify appropriate applications of psychology in solving problems such as the pursuit and effect of healthy
lifestyles, origin and treatment of abnormal behavior, psychological tests and measurements, psychologybased interventions, and the resolution of interpersonal and intercultural conflicts.
2.3. Articulate how psychological principles can be used to explain social issues and inform public policy.
2.4. Apply psychological concepts, theories, and research findings as these relate to everyday life.
3.4. Identify the factors required to make causal inferences about relationships between variables.
4.1. Describe descriptive and experimental research methods.
4.3. Evaluate the appropriateness of conclusions derived from psychological research and the parameters
of particular research methods.
5.1. Recognize the necessity of and identify specific ethical behavior in all aspects of the science and practice of
psychology.
5.2. Be familiar with the rights of human research participants and therapy clients.
5.4. Describe the concept of informed consent to research and treatment.
1
5.6. Identify the role that an institutional review board plays in psychological research.
6.2. Identify ways (actions, behaviors) that emphasize the importance of interacting effectively and sensitively
with people of diverse abilities, backgrounds, and cultural perspectives.
6.3. Identify how sociocultural and international contexts influence individual differences and development.
6.4. Explain how individual differences influence beliefs, values, and interactions with others and vice versa.
6.7. Understand that research findings may not generalize to all people.
7.2. Distinguish between scientific findings and opinions
9.1. Engage in creative thinking by evaluating new ideas with an open but critical mind.
9.2. Use reasoning to recognize, develop, defend, and criticize arguments and other persuasive appeals.
9.4. Demonstrate effective writing skills and use of APA-style in various formats (i.e., essay assignments).
III.
Textbook (Required):
Arnett, J. J. (2013). Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood: A Cultural Approach. Uper
Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Supplemental Readings (SR); Assigned on Blackboard
IV.
Course Requirements:
A. Reading Assignments as specified on course schedule and blackboard.
B. Examinations as scheduled (4). For each exam, approximately 50% of the questions will
come from the text readings and 50% from the lecture and video material.
C. Written assignments (2). Assignments will be posted on Blackboard. Due dates are listed
on Course Outline.
V.
Attendance: Although attendance will not be taken in this course, students are expected to
attend every lecture. It will be impossible to receive a passing grade in this course without
understanding and knowing the material presented both in the text and during the lectures.
VI.
Grading Procedures and Policy
A. Examinations 4 (70 points each).
1. Types of questions that may be used: multiple choice, matching, fill-in, and essay.
2. Scaling for each exam and the final grade. There is no curving.
A (93.3%)
B - (80.0%)
D+ (66.6%)
A - (90.0%)
C+ (76.6%)
D (63.3%)
B+ (86.6%)
C (73.3%)
D - (60.0%)
2
B (83.3%)
C - (70.0%)
F (59.9% or less)
3. Exam Policy: You must take the exam on the date and at time that is scheduled.
So, schedule your end-of-the semester plans accordingly. Missing an exam
because you got the date, time or place wrong is not an acceptable excuse.
4. SCANTRON: RED SCANTRON FORM.
5. Cheating: In the event an individual is caught cheating on an exam, the individual will
receive 0 points for that particular exam. In addition, for all subsequent exams, the
individual will be proctored by the instructor at a time and place determined by the
instructor (e.g., 7:00 a.m. in the instructor’s office). Finally, the individual will also be
referred to the University Student Affairs Office for disciplinary action.
6. Challenges to an Exam Grade or Question: All challenges to an exam grade or
question or to the correctness of an answer to a particular exam question must be put
in writing. Evidence supporting the challenge must be provided. For example, citing the
paragraph and page number in the text for an alternative answer is acceptable.
However, citing your own life experiences is not acceptable. You are being tested over
the material presented in the lectures, film presentations, and the text, and not over
your life experiences.
B. Written Assignments (2). Each written assignment will be worth 10 points. The specific
grading criteria for each assignment is outlined in the instructions for each assignment.
C. Extra Credit: There will be 5 extra credit questions on all four exams. These questions will
cover material from the previous exam or the course syllabus, and will be worth one point
each. There are no other ways to receive extra credit in this course.
D. Final Grades: Final grades will be based on the sum of the four exam scores (280
possible), the extra credit points on the four exams (20 possible), and the two written
assignments (10 points each - 20 points total). Grades will be calculated on a total of 300
points. However, with the extra credit points, it is possible to receive a total of 320 points.
Grades are based only on the points earned from the exams, extra credit questions,
and the written assignments, and not on any type of negotiations with the instructor,
before, during, or after the end of the semester.
VIII.
Office Hours: By appointment. Appointments will be held either on campus (at an arranged
location) or at my SDSU office: 6363 Alvarado Ct., Suite 103, Room 6. Directions: From the
intersection of College Ave and Alvarado Rd, take Alvarado Rd. east to Alvarado Ct., which is
the first street you will come to on the right hand side. The building, 6363 Alvarado Ct., will be
the first building on the right. My office phone number is: 594-5241, and my email address is:
jmprice@mail.sdsu.edu.
IX.
Students Disability Services: If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need
accommodations for this class, it is your responsibility to contact Student Disability Services at
(619) 594-6473. To avoid any delay in the receipt of your accommodations, you should contact
Student Disability Services as soon as possible. Please note that accommodations are not
retroactive, and that I cannot provide accommodations based upon disability until I have
received an accommodation letter from Student Disability Services. Your cooperation is
appreciated and to your benefit.
3
VIII.
Course Outline
Day
Topic
Reading Assignment
Week 1:
Jan. 27
Course Introduction
Overview of Adolescence
and Early Adulthood
Chapter 1
Week 2:
Feb. 3
Gene and Environment Interactions
Contexts of Development
Chapters 2 (pages 56-58) & 4
Week 3:
Feb. 10
Biological Development
Chapter 2
Week 4:
Feb. 17
Exam #1
Cognitive Development
Chapter 3
Week 5:
Feb. 24
Emotional and Self Processes
Chapters 5 & 6
Week 6:
March 3
Family Relationships
First Written Assignment Due
Chapter 7
Week 7:
March 10
Family Relationships
Chapter 7
Week 8:
March 17
Exam #2
Peer Relationships
Chapter 8
Week 9:
March 24
Romantic Relationships
Chapter 9
Week 10:
March 31
Spring Break: No Classes
Week 11:
April 7
Romantic Relationships
The Context of School
Second Written Assignment Due
Week 12:
April 14
Exam #3
The Context of Work
Chapter 11
Week 13:
April 21
The Context of Media
Chapter 12
Week 14:
April 28
Problems/Psychopathology/Resilience
Chapter 13
Week 15:
May 5
Problems/Psychopathology/Resilience
Chapter 13
4
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
May 12
Final Exam: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. NE 060
5