Prospectus

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Family process and developmental psychopathology

Course
2013-2014

NB Language spoken in course is English

Admission requirements

This course builds on the knowledge and skills acquired in the following Bachelor courses: Inleiding Pedagogische en Onderwijswetenschappen 1A, Inleiding Pedagogische en Onderwijswetenschappen 1B, Gezinspedagogiek and Inleiding in de Ontwikkelingspsychologie.

Description

The objective of this course is to gain insight into the complex role of family processes in the development of childhood psychopathology. First, the theoretical and empirical developmental psychopathology framework will be presented, with special attention to different types of risk models (direct, mediating, moderating). Topics relevant to family processes that will be discussed include characteristics of the parents (psychopathology, marital relationship), the parent-child attachment relationship, parenting practices (sensitivity, discipline), influences of gender and siblings, and socio-economic and cultural aspects of family life. In addition to discussing the influence of family processes on child psychopathology in general, specific risk factors for specific forms of psychopathology will be presented., including family influences on internalizing (e.g., anxiety, depression), and externalizing (e.g., aggression, delinquency) forms of psychopathology. Neurobiological factors will be discussed in relation to antisocial behavior.

Course objectives

For Research Master students:

  • Gaining knowledge about the developmental psychopathology framework (achievement levels 1, 2, 3);

  • Gaining knowledge about the mechanisms underlying the influence of different family processes on child psychopathology (1, 2);

  • Acquiring experience with the interpretation and judgment of empirical papers in this field (2,5, 8);

  • Learning to process scientific literature and use it to form opinions and new ideas orally and in written form (5, 6, 8).

Timetable

Timetable

Mode of instruction

Lectures.

Assessment method

  • Written closed-book exam

  • Written open-book exam

  • Take-home exam (average of 5 assignments)

  • Oral presentation

Homework assignments have to completed in English.

Note: Each part has to be passed (grade >= 5.5)

Blackboard

During the course Blackboard will be used.

Reading list

Full-text papers to be announced on Blackboard.

Registration

Please note that separate uSis registration is mandatory for lectures, seminars, exam and re-exam.

  • Registration for the lectures of the course is possible as of two months through one week before the first lecture at the latest;

  • Registration for the seminars of the course is possible as of two months through one week before the first lecture at the latest;

  • Registration for the exam is possible as of two months through one week before the exam at the latest;

  • Registration for the re-exam is possible as of two months through one week before the re-exam at the latest.

Students who do not register cannot attend classes or take the (re)exam.

Contact information

Co-ordinator of the course is dr. S.M.C. van der Veek.
She can be reached before/during/after the lectures or via email.