About Psychology 381

Welcome to Psychology 381: Psychology of Adult Development, a three-credit, senior-level university course that covers adult development from early adulthood to old age. The course is designed to introduce you to current psychological and psychosocial theories and research findings that are relevant to adult development. The application of research findings to everyday life is an important emphasis in the course as the translation of research findings to the applied setting demonstrates how research can be used to improve the quality of adult life.

Psychology 381 provides comprehensive coverage of normal aging and disease prevention, disease, disability and health care, and family relationships. As such, the course is particularly suited to students with career interests in nursing, medicine and allied health fields, social work, and clinical psychology. The course also provides excellent coverage of issues relating to parenting, love and marriage, family relations, work and retirement, and death and dying. Given the personal relevance of these issues, the course is attractive to students who seek to enhance their understanding of their own and others' development across the lifespan.

Finally, coverage of the normal aging process and of issues related to work and retirement make this course beneficial to students who plan careers in the public sector areas of business, service industries, and retail. The current and projected dramatic changes in the demographic profile of North American society indicate that, as our society continues to age, students who plan careers in the business and service industries will increasingly have contact with older workers and consumers. Knowledge about the aging process and the changing dynamics of work and retirement will be of direct relevance to those students.

Psychology 381 is a senior-level course. Therefore, before enrolling in this course, it is preferable that students have completed Athabasca University's Psychology 289: Psychology as a Natural Science and Psychology 290: General Psychology, or equivalent courses from another university.

The Student Manual accompanies the course and is designed to supply you with essential information about the course design, the course materials, and the procedures you should follow to complete the course successfully. Before you begin your studies, please read the Student Manual through carefully. If you have any questions about the course itself, or how to proceed with your studies, please contact your tutor or the course coordinator.

Course Structure