Pre-requisites

CN510 Introduction to Counselling

Co-requisites

None.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, the student will be able to:

• Describe the aetiology, presentation and treatment of developmental problems/disorders and discuss the therapeutic implications

• Explain the theories that underpin the study of human development,

• Critically analyse issues and research conducted in developmental psychology

• Critically analyse and evaluate notions of wholeness, happiness, fulfilment and suffering, and definitions of “abnormal” including a Christian perspective.

Unit Description

This unit introduces students to a range of Psychology discipline areas within the context of change and development. The unit has three general themes. The first theme looks at the discipline areas within developmental psychology. It commences with the nervous system. Issues such as personality and emotional development, cognitive development (including intelligence and language), social development (including theory of mind), and moral development across the lifespan are then introduced. The second theme sets out to identify critical times of life from infancy to death and for each integrates the above discipline areas. The third them arises from exploration of issues that are pertinent to normal versus abnormal development and in particular how this may impact the counsellor’s practice since many of the concerns for which people consult counsellors are associated with developmental changes involving any of the areas specified above. Further discussion explores notions of the ‘good life,’ self-actualisation and what it means to live and die with dignity.

Topics

1. Introduction
2. Self, identity and personality development
3. Normal and abnormal personality development: Therapeutic implications
4. Moral development theories
5. Emotional development and resilience
6. Social development
7. Altruistic behaviour
8. Spiritual development
9. Normal versus altered development (Autism Spectrum and dementias)
10. Adolescence
11. Palliative care and death
12. Therapeutic implications

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Unit offerings

Face to face: (Every 2nd Year (Even), Semester 2)

Please note

The Unit Offerings listed above are a guide only and the timetable for any year is the final authority. The College may vary offerings based on demand, regulatory requirements, continual improvement processes or other conditions.

This unit may be available in different modes of delivery i.e. online and face-to-face as listed above. The unit content will not differ between these modes of delivery. There will possibly be a difference in the schedule and/or the prescribed assessment tasks, however both will cover and assess the same content.