HPS302 - Developmental Psychology (Adult)
Unit details
| Year | 2026 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 1: Carrie Ewin |
| Previously: | Pathways Through Adulthood |
| Prerequisite: | HPS202 |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | HPS782 |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 1 x 1.5 hour on-campus seminar per week |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | 1 x 1.5 hour online seminar per week |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
Content
This unit examines psychological development across adulthood and ageing. The unit considers processes of growth and decline from emerging to late adulthood. Students will explore social roles and relationships, personality development, physical and cognitive change, neurocognitive disorders, such as dementia, and adaptation to aged care environments. A key feature of the unit is its emphasis on qualitative enquiry, with students developing qualitative analysis skills to answer a developmental research question. The unit also has a particular focus on the needs and supports of older adults.
Learning outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Explain and appraise the course of development across the adult lifespan in key domains, such as physical, cognitive, social and identity, and the main theories explaining this development. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Apply a qualitative research technique to answer a developmental research question. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO3 | Analyse and explain individual developmental presentations and communicate findings to answer referral questions. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO4 | Formulate recommendations for goals, further assessments and interventions or accommodations that reflect evidence-based practice and professional guidelines. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Developmental Report and Data Analysis | 1300 words | 45% |
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| Assessment 2: Adult Development Case Study Analysis | 1200 words | 55% |
|
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for HPS302 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
To fully engage with Deakin's learning experiences, students must be able to access and use internet-connected devices as outlined in computing requirements at Deakin.
To support student success at Deakin, we have a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) learning environment that acknowledges that students and educators bring with them the digital tools they regularly use to complete academic tasks. These tools stay with you beyond the classroom, helping you to keep learning, explore ideas more deeply, and connect with knowledge in ways that matter to you.
Students requiring a loan device should visit our Loan Laptop webpage or students requiring longer-term assistance should visit our Student Financial Assistance webpage.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.