Great CLEP review

Where does Theories of Human Development rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is the first audible book I've used and I used it as preparation for the Human Growth and Development CLEP exam. I thought that the speaker spoke very slowly so I had to increase the speed to 2x. Once that was done I would calmly listen to it in the car. I really enjoyed all the examples the author provided as they are very applicable to current psychology beliefs and practices. My one complaint/suggestion was that the ecological systems theory wasn't explained; macrosystems, exosystems, microsystem, mesosystem, chronosystem, etc. Additionally, I don't think this lecture series really stressed the importance of operant conditioning and the difference between that and classical conditioning. If it could be done, I'd ask for the same lecturer to just go into those aspects a bit more. I supplemented these lectures with CLEP practice questions (an 80 question practice exam), and the Developmental Psychology Outline from Kaplans GRE psychology book.

12 people found this helpful

A basic first year course in human development

Would you listen to Theories of Human Development again? Why?

Great if you're a psych student and want to review first-year material on Freud, Erikson and Piaget. Or good if you're just interested in psychology and don't know much about the topic

What does Professor Malcolm W. Watson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Makes the concepts clear with apt analogies.

12 people found this helpful

Exceptional; Entertaining; Comprehensive

What did you love best about Theories of Human Development?

As a student of Psychology with a long commute, I was looking for a good review of Developmental Psy. WOW!! I've taken Developmental Psychology in two different classroom formats (at the University level) but the material has never been presented so clearly, or so well.

The author also reads with enthusiasm (not over the top, but like a real human begin engaged in the topic rather than a robot reading a script which I find REALLY off-putting). I often find myself saying "I really like this guy" while I'm listening -- and would love to take a course from him in person! I just wish he had more courses listed here!

SUPERB -- suitable for students of Psychology and laypersons alike. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Who was your favorite character and why?

N/A

What about Professor Malcolm W. Watson’s performance did you like?

Stated previously

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

LOVED IT!

9 people found this helpful

Very solid course, but missing a few things.

What made the experience of listening to Theories of Human Development the most enjoyable?

The speaker is clear and concise with his words and ideas.

What did you like best about this story?

The breadth and scope.

What about Professor Malcolm W. Watson’s performance did you like?

The emotion in the speaker's voice, which is backed by facts; that is, he speaks with genuine conviction about the topic on which he is teaching. He obviously cares about the topic and has taken the time to do the research so that what he cares about is backed by factual evidence.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

There's a lot of really good information, so I recommend a few sittings at least.

Any additional comments?

I was disappointed that they covered Freud but didn't cover C.G. Jung at all. There are very many reasons why Jung shouldn't be left out of a course like this, so I'll name just a few:

1. Jung had a historically pivotal relationship with Freud.
2. Jung expanded Freud's sexual theory by hypothesizing other drives.
3. Jung repeatedly gives credit to Freud, (even after their falling-out,) for inventing psychoanalysis, for planting its roots, and for giving Jung his start in it.
4. Jung's theories cover both young and old age; they comprise a complete psychological theory of development.

The listeners of this course could certainly gain much from Jung's theories of:

1. Individuation.
2. Anima/Animus.
3. Ego, shadow, persona, and self.
4. Archetypal patterns of behavior.
5. Modes of adaptation - (i.e. introvert/extrovert, et al.)

Despite the cryptic appearance of the above terms, all of these terms relate directly to important theories and concepts within psychological development which Jung coined, and answers questions which are still relevant to psychology today, especially to developmental psychology.

6 people found this helpful

Basic Introduction to human development

Guitable for people outside of the topic. Good for overall introduction on the subject. Interesting but sometimes too basic - I guess that is the idea of the course.

3 people found this helpful

Everyone interacting with kids should listen to this

This course was easy to follow, very informative and interesting. The professor knows the information very well and was easy to listen to. Very engaging.

I think all parents or soon-to-be parents should listen to this course. It gives insight into our development and gives context to theories on development.

I used this to help study for the CLEP Human Growth and Development exam. It made that part of the exam easy because it was easy to listen and learn from this professor. Although I bought this just to study from, I plan to keep the book for later when I become a parent or am around kids later on.

3 people found this helpful

I normally love the Great Courses....not this time

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I love psychology and I love several of the Great Courses books on it too, but this was atrocious. The information was redundant, poorly given, and could be any type of psych class not necessarily one of development. I am disappointed. Try another book first.

What didn’t you like about Professor Malcolm W. Watson’s performance?

I think I fell asleep every few minutes after the first chapter because his voice was so very soothing.

3 people found this helpful

Really interesting, relevant and entertaining lectures

What did you love best about Theories of Human Development?

Professor Watson delivers the content in a logical and clear manner. These lectures are not dry like most textbooks on this topic. He not only covers the key research but also provides information about the people who conducted it (e.g. Erikson). This gives so much more meaning to the content.

Any additional comments?

Really interesting course. I hope that Professor Watson returns with more in the future.

2 people found this helpful

Great overview of major theories

Covers 6 major theories and schools of thought regarding development in childhood, and adulthood. Great for non specialist like me.
Enjoyed sequence of: background, major concepts, implications and critical review.

1 person found this helpful

Basic theories but good explanations

Good explanations but at times it was too slow. Especially for someone not interested in younger kids.