Cognitive Development and Autism
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| PSGY3011 | Psychology | 3 | 10 | Spring UK |
- Code
- PSGY3011
- School
- Psychology
- Level
- 3
- Credits
- 10
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
This module will cover modern versions of nativist and empiricist theories of cognitive development. It will also give an overview of current theoretical perspectives of autism and will evaluate these using a range of behavioural, clinical, and neurophysiological evidence. Key areas that will be covered will include various aspects of social communication, sensory processing, and skills that have been noted to be areas of strength in some autistic individuals (e.g. drawing, music).
Target Students
Available for Psychologystudents. Also available for Liberal Arts/Natural Science students (depending on pathway).
Assessment
- 100% Exam 1 (2-hour): Moodle Remote Seen Exam Spring
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
The aims of this module are to provide an introduction to some of the major theoretical perspectives and debates in contemporary developmental psychology and to evaluate these accounts through more detailed consideration of empirical evidence in several key domains. Key questions to be considered are: what is the nature of developmental change in autistic and non-autistic populations - does it concern fundamental reorganisation or more gradual and continuous change, what is the relative contribution of biology and knowledge or experience to developmental change, and what light do developmental differences throw on the nature and structure of mind'.Learning Outcomes
o Describe the nature of developmental change; does it concern fundamental reorganisation or more gradual and continuous change?
o Evaluate the relative contribution of biology and knowledge/experience in various areas of development.
o Explain how studying autistic populations can inform us about developmental processes in non-autistic populations.
o Critically evaluate methods/theories relevant to autistic and non-autistic populations.