https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2025-2026/P_BOWPPSYThe course offers insight into typical and atypical developmental pathways of children, adolescents and adults during different developmental periods and the accompanying disorders that emerge or are diagnosed during the life course.Most of us know from experience that development is not a straight line, but is better described as a bumpy road, with alternating moments of progress and stagnation. There is also substantial variation between people as they progress through developmental trajectories. For example, in the face of adversity, some people develop mental problems that are disruptive to their daily lives (psychopathology), akin to a road closure. Others, however, are able to bypass the development of psychopathology (resilience), similar to taking a detour. This course offers insights into the typical and atypical developmental pathways of children, adolescents and adults, and explores how psychopathology emerges during the life course. The developmental perspective is crucial to understand how risk and protective factors impact development of psychopathology and resilience, how mental disorders are related (over time), and how treatment can alter trajectories. These and related course topics will be discussed using the biopsychosocial model (biological, psychological, sociocultural). This provides a framework for understanding the continuity and discontinuity of developmental problems in the complexity of clinical practice. Different practical examples depicting the abnormal development of children, adolescents, and adults are used to show how professionals apply this knowledge. After completing this course, you will be able to answer questions such as: what is normal and abnormal behavior? Why do some people develop psychopathology, while others do not? How can we diagnose and help people who experience mental problems, and get them back on the road?The course consists of 13 lectures and 15 tutorials. The course is divided into themes. Some themes consist of different subthemes that are discussed separately in the tutorials and lectures. Lectures will take place first, followed by the corresponding tutorials. Themes and subthemes follow each other in terms of content and chronology, which should make the structure easier to follow. For example, we will start with early life years (e.g., attachment), then childhood/adolescent disorders (e.g., autism and externalizing disorders), followed by disorders more typical of adolescence and adulthood (e.g., internalizing disorders, eating disorders, psychotic disorders). It is important to emphasize: most disorders occur over the entire life course. This aspect will be covered as well (e.g., depression in childhood). All lectures are in English, and will be given by experienced researchers (assistant/associate/full professor) who specialize in one or more of the topics covered during this course. They bring their own unique experience, which is a valuable addition to the tutorials and literature. Please note that the lectures are not a replacement for thoroughly learning the literature. We expect you to actively participate in all aspects of the course. This includes coming well-prepared to each tutorial and lecture by studying the literature and completing the pre-tutorial assignments beforehand (worth 10% of your final course grade). Furthermore, make sure you bring the literature, your completed pre-tutorial assignment, and your laptop to each tutorial meeting. Tutorials are in either Dutch or English, depending on your chosen study track. Tutorial attendance is compulsory, but you may miss up to three tutorial meetings. If you cannot attend a tutorial, send an email to your tutor before the tutorial begins.In order to successfully pass this course, the following conditions must be satisfied and the final grade should be sufficient (5.5 or higher): (1) Passing the exam (90% of final grade)Two partial exams (Period 5 and 6). Multiple choice, weighing 45% each, and the average of both exams must be sufficient (5.5 or higher). This means that the score of one partial exam can be insufficient as long as the average of both exams is sufficient.(2) Preparation and motivation (10% of final grade)Pre-tutorial assignments and literature quizzes, weighing 10%, and the average of these assignments does not need to be sufficient.Based on fifteen pre-tutorial assignments (graded on completion) and fifteen literature quizzes (graded on accuracy). The pre-tutorial assignments will consist of activities such as responding to short-essay questions, conducting interviews, and preparing group presentations.(3) Fulfilling the attendance requirement for the tutorials (pass/fail)You are not allowed to miss more than three tutorials.At the end of the academic year, there is one resit option for the two parts of the examination in the form of one final re-exam. However, it is not possible to resit or redo the pre-tutorial assignments or literature quizzes. If the course is not passed with a sufficient grade following this re-exam, but the attendance requirement is met, it is possible to only re-take the exams the following academic year. The preparation and motivation grade will carry over as well, but it is possible to re-take all tutorials and receive a new grade.Always check Canvas for the most recent literature. Two books are required for this course:Parritz and Troy (2024): Disorders of Childhood (4th edition),Nolen-Hoeksema (2023): Abnormal Psychology (9th edition).Students need to sign in for the course, lectures, tutor groups and exam via VUnet.Lectures in English, work groups in English or Dutch depending on chosen study track.