UNIVERSITY OF MADRAS
B.Sc. DEGREE COURSE IN PSYCHOLOGY
SEMESTER SYSTEM WITH CREDITS
(Effective from the Academic Year 2003-2004)

SYLLABUS

Semester III - Core V - Psychology of Childhood

Chapter I:

Conception through birth: Fertilization, Prenatal development, Environmental Influences on prenatal development; stages of child Birth, types of childbirth: perinatal hazards & complications of low birth weight

Chapter II:

Infancy & Toddlerhood (0-3 years) - Physical & Cognitive Development - Body Systems of neonate, infant reflexes, infant Sensory capacities, Milestones of motor development, Environmental influences on motor development; Piaget's Sensonmotor Stage

Chapter III:

Infancy & Toddlerhood - Language and Personality Development - Theories of language development, Stages of language development from 0-3 years; Emotional development - Temperamental differences, Development of Attachment - Individual differences and long term correlates of attachment.

Chapter IV:

Early childhood (3-6 years) - Motor Skills, Piaget's Preoperational stage, Development of language; gender differences, fears and aggression; prosocial behaviour, Child rearing practices and parenting styles

Chapter V:

Middle Childhood (6-12 years) - Piaget's Stage of Concrete operations, Development of self concept, Components of self concept, Theoretical perspectives on self concept - Freud's latency period, Erickson's Industry vs Inferiority, Social learning theory, Information processing approach; The child in the peer group, functions and influences of the peer group, Friendship & popularity Visits to nursery schools / hospitals to get an idea about preschoolers and infants should be arranged.

REFERENCES:

Recommended reading: