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Lifespan Development
PSY120 | 3 Credits
Lifespan Development gives you an introduction to human growth and development theory. You’ll also explore the science from a biological, cognitive, and social perspective and get a deeper understanding of the stages of the human life-cycle from birth to death.
Professor: Dr. Becca Schwartz-Mette
About This Course
What You’ll Learn
Our Lifespan Development online course provides a general survey of human development from conception through death, including key concepts, stages, and theories from developmental science. Developmental changes in major areas of human development including biological, physical, cognitive, emotional, and social are explored.
- Define key issues, stages, and theories in developmental science from a lifespan perspective.
- Identify key biological, physical, cognitive, emotional, and social factors that influence human development across the lifespan.
- Explain major methods of data collection and research design in lifespan developmental psychology.
- Apply key concepts from developmental psychology to personal experiences.
- Compare and contrast major developmental theories about key tasks in stages of human development.
- Integrate reflective thought and scientific reasoning to develop novel and relevant research questions.
StraighterLine Courses Include:
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Self-paced workload
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Digital Textbooks
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Video Lessons
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Access on Desktop and Mobile
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WANT US TO CHECK?Course Details
Students will use critical thinking and creativity to evaluate existing developmental science research and to explore creating their own novel research questions.
ACE-Recommended
ACE Code:
OOSL-0107
Flexible Schedule
26-day Average Course Completion
Transferred 2,700 times
$3,100,000 Saved on Tuition
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites to take Lifespan Development.
Course Text
No need to track down a textbook; the readings are built right into this course. We adapted the lessons from the following source:
- Clark, M. A., Douglas, M., & Choi, J. (2018, March 28). Lifespan Development. OpenStax.
Course Checkpoints
Lifespan Psychology and Developmental Theories
- Psychology and Human Development
- Themes of Development
- Major Theories and Theorists
- Contexts and Settings of Development
- Lifespan Development as a Science: Research Methods
Genetic, Prenatal, and Perinatal Health
- Genetics and Environment
- Reproductive Systems and Conception
- Pregnancy and Prenatal Development
- Childbirth and Perinatal Health
- The Newborn in Context
Physical and Cognitive Development in Infants and Toddlers (Birth-Age 3)
- Physical Development in Infants and Toddlers
- Motor Development in Infants and Toddlers
- Sensory Development in Infants and Toddlers
- Cognition and Memory in Infants and Toddlers
- Language in Infants and Toddlers
Social and Emotional Development in Infants and Toddlers (Birth-Age 3)
- Autonomy and Sense of Self in Infants and Toddlers
- Temperament and Personality in Infants and Toddlers
- Emotional Development in Infants and Toddlers
- Social Development in Infants and Toddlers
- Social Contexts and Influences in Infants and Toddlers
Physical and Cognitive Development in Early Childhood (Ages 3-6)
- Physical Health and Growth in Early Childhood
- Motor Development and Physical Skills in Early Childhood
- Cognition in Early Childhood
- Language in Early Childhood
- Play in Early Childhood
Social and Emotional Development in Early Childhood (Ages 3-6)
- Social and Emotional Development in Early Childhood
- Identity in Context: Gender Development and Racial Identity in Early Childhood
- Families as Context in Early Childhood
- Social Contexts: Peers, Play, and Friendship in Early Childhood
Physical and Cognitive Development in Middle Childhood (Ages 7-12)
- Physical Development and Health in Middle Childhood
- Cognition in Middle Childhood
- Intelligence in Middle Childhood
- Contexts: School and Learning Diversity in Middle Childhood
- Language in Middle Childhood
Social and Emotional Development in Middle Childhood (Ages 7-12)
- Identity, Self-Concept, and Self-Esteem in Middle Childhood
- Emotional Development and Socioemotional Learning in Middle Childhood
- Social Contexts: Peers, Family, and Media in Middle Childhood
- Context: School and Extra Curricular Activities in Middle Childhood
- Atypical Development and Interventions in Middle Childhood
Physical and Cognitive Development in Adolescence (Ages 12-18)
- Physical Growth and Development in Adolescence
- Puberty, Sexual Behavior, and Sexual Health in Adolescence
- Cognition in Adolescence
- Decision-Making and Risky Behaviors in Adolescence
Social and Emotional Development in Adolescence (Ages 12-18)
- Theories of Adolescent Socioemotional Development
- Emotional and Self-Development in Adolescence
- Identity and Culture: Race/Ethnicity, Gender, and Sexuality in Adolescence
- Social Contexts in Adolescence
- Family and Community Contexts in Adolescence
Physical and Cognitive Development in Early Adulthood (Ages 18-29)
- Becoming an Adult
- Physical Health and Growth in Early Adulthood
- Sexuality in Early Adulthood
- Cognitive Development in Early Adulthood
- Contexts: Higher Education and Work Achievement in Early Adulthood
Social and Emotional Development in Early Adulthood (Ages 18-29)
- The Development of Self in Early Adulthood
- Identity Development in Context in Early Adulthood
- Relationships with Friends and Family in Early Adulthood
- Contexts: School and Work Settings in Early Adulthood
- Finding Love, Intimacy, and Romance in Early Adulthood
Physical and Cognitive Development in Middle Adulthood (Ages 30-59)
- Physical Development in Middle Adulthood
- Reproductive and Sexual Changes in Middle Adulthood
- Cognition in Middle Adulthood
- Maintaining Health and Well-Being in Middle Adulthood
Social and Emotional Development in Middle Adulthood (Ages 30-59)
- Development of Self, Personality, and Identity in Middle Adulthood
- Contexts: Love and Romance in Middle Adulthood
- Households and Parenting in Middle Adulthood
- Transitions in Caregiving Roles in Middle Adulthood
- A Successful Middle Adulthood
Physical and Cognitive Development in Late Adulthood (Ages 60-Beyond)
- Physical Aging in Late Adulthood
- Health Risks in Late Adulthood
- Cognition and Memory in Late Adulthood
- Brain Disorders in Late Adulthood
- Successful Physical and Cognitive Aging in Late Adulthood
Social and Emotional Development in Late Adulthood (Ages 60-Beyond)
- The Meaning of Aging in Late Adulthood
- Contexts: Family, Friendships, Romantic Relationships, and Social Communities in Late Adulthood
- Retirement in Late Adulthood
- Living Environments and Aging in Late Adulthood
- Successful Social and Emotional Aging in Late Adulthood
Death, Dying, and Grieving
- Biological, Psychological, and Social Aspects of Death and Dying
- End-of-Life Care
- Coping with Death
- Life Review, Successful Life, and a Good Death
Assignments & Grading
Your score provides a percentage score and letter grade for each course. A passing percentage is 70% or higher.
Assignments for this course include:
- 4 Benchmarks
- 2 Capstones
- 17 Checkpoints
What You’ll Need
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- Stable internet connection
- Web browser
- Basic computer skills
- Any required course materials
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Course Professor
Dr. Becca Schwartz-Mette
PhD
Dr. Rebecca Schwartz-Mette is Associate Professor of Psychology at the University at Buffalo (SUNY). She is a licensed clinical psychologist who provides assessment and intervention services to children, families, and adults. Her research focuses on the social context of adolescent psychopathology and training the next generation of psychologists.
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Going at my own pace has allowed me to complete two courses within a month while working on my third course at the same time. It’s super fast and easy. My school has already received my transcripts and approved the courses.
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Everything was so organized and easy to use. Taking this course was a great experience and I can’t wait to take my next one.
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Let's Kick-Off Your Healthcare Career
Lifespan Development will help you work better with patients of all ages. With a deeper understanding of how humans develop, you’ll be able to make more targeted assessments in your work as a medical professional.
Why it matters:
- With 1.8 million new healthcare jobs projected between 2022–2032, you’ll be part of one of the fastest-growing industries.
- Lifespan Development will help you prepare to work with children or elderly patients.
In-demand careers in this field include:
Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, Physical Therapist Assistant, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Medical Assistant, Radiologic Technologist, Surgical Technologist, Paramedic/EMT
How this course sets you up for success:
Lifespan Development is a prerequisite for many healthcare courses. Make this course your first step toward a rewarding career in medicine.
Course included in Semester & Annual Plans
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