- Course Type CLEP
- Subject History and Social Sciences
- Level Introductory
- Length 12 Modules
- Video Length 8h 59m
- Reading Pages 126
- Institution Modern States
ABOUT THIS COURSE
Human Growth and Development reviews the material generally taught in a one-semester introductory course in developmental psychology or human development. The course explores physical, cognitive, and social changes across the lifespan, from infancy and childhood through adolescence, adulthood, and aging. It emphasizes major theories of development and the research that supports them.
This is a free, self-paced Modern States course with no prerequisites. It is aligned to the CLEP® Human Growth and Development exam and is designed to prepare you to succeed on the test and earn college credit at no cost.
Modern States originally developed this course in collaboration with Norman Rose, Ph.D. Dr. Diane Finley of Performance Consultants supported course enhancements published in 2025.
Course Overview
Human Growth and Development Course Overview - Modern States
| Module | Topic | Video Length | Total pages of required reading |
| Module 1: Theoretical Perspectives (10%) 00:22:48 total video length 3 total readings |
1: Theoretical Perspectives on Development | 0:02:35 | – |
| 1.1: Evolutionary | 0:01:55 | – | |
| 1.2: Biological | 0:02:08 | – | |
| 1.3: Learning (Behaviorism) | 0:03:22 | – | |
| 1.4: Cognitive Developmental | 0:02:50 | 1+ | |
| 1.5: Social Cognitive (Social Learning) | 0:02:43 | 1+ | |
| 1.6: Sociocultural | 0:02:18 | – | |
| 1.7: Ecological | 0:02:24 | – | |
| 1.8: Psychodynamic | 0:02:33 | 1+ | |
| 1: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 2: Research Strategies and Methodology (6%) 00:19:53 total video length 1 total readings |
2: Research Strategies and Methodology | 0:01:47 | – |
| 2.1: Experimental | 0:03:23 | – | |
| 2.2: Correlational | 0:03:53 | – | |
| 2.3: Observational | 0:01:49 | – | |
| 2.4: Cross-Sectional | 0:01:16 | – | |
| 2.5: Longitudinal | 0:02:03 | 1+ | |
| 2.6: Cross-Sequential | 0:02:44 | – | |
| 2.7: Case Study | 0:02:58 | – | |
| 2: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 3: Biological Development Throughout the Life Span (12%) 00:56:32 total video length 4 total readings |
3: Biological Development Throughout the Lifespan | 0:04:55 | – |
| 3.1: Heredity, Genetics, and Genetic Testing | 0:05:46 | – | |
| 3.2: Genetic Disorders | 0:02:08 | – | |
| 3.3: Development of the Brain and Nervous System | 0:03:17 | 1+ | |
| 3.4: Hormonal Influences | 0:03:13 | – | |
| 3.5: Prenatal Influences | 0:03:05 | – | |
| 3.6: Teratogens | 0:04:15 | – | |
| 3.7: Influences of Drugs | 0:03:28 | – | |
| 3.8: Nutritional Influences | 0:02:37 | – | |
| 3.9: Perinatal Influences | 0:04:22 | 1+ | |
| 3.10: Motor Development | 0:04:42 | – | |
| 3.11: Physical Growth, Maturation, and Aging | 0:09:51 | 1+ | |
| 3.12: Sexual Maturation | 0:04:53 | 1+ | |
| 3: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 4: Perceptual Development Throughout the Life Span (6%) 00:23:35 total video length 2 total readings |
4: Perceptual Development Throughout the Lifespan | 0:01:14 | – |
| 4.1: Sensorimotor Activities | 0:05:14 | – | |
| 4.2: Sensitive Periods | 0:03:28 | – | |
| 4.3: Sensory Deprivation | 0:05:12 | – | |
| 4.4: Habituation | 0:03:48 | 1+ | |
| 4.5: Sensory Acuity | 0:04:39 | 1+ | |
| 4: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 5: Cognitive Development Throughout the Life Span (12%) 01:24:15 total video length 4 total readings |
5: Cognitive Development Throughout the Lifespan | 0:02:58 | – |
| 5.1: Thinking | 0:01:57 | – | |
| 5.2: Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory | 0:24:45 | – | |
| 5.3: Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory | 0:06:31 | – | |
| 5.4: Play | 0:05:33 | – | |
| 5.5: Executive Function | 0:07:58 | – | |
| 5.6: Information Processing | 0:02:46 | – | |
| 5.7: Attention | 0:02:32 | – | |
| 5.8: Memory | 0:06:43 | 1+ | |
| 5.9: Problem Solving and Planning | 0:06:38 | – | |
| 5.10: Environmental Influences | 0:04:47 | 1+ | |
| 5.11: Expertise | 0:04:46 | 1+ | |
| 5.12: Wisdom | 0:06:21 | 1+ | |
| 5: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 6: Language Development (8%) 00:30:26 total video length 1 total readings |
6: Language Development | 0:01:33 | 1+ |
| 6.1: Vocalization and Sound | 0:06:15 | – | |
| 6.2: Language and Thought | 0:03:32 | – | |
| 6.3: Development of Syntax | 0:04:29 | – | |
| 6.4: Semantic Development | 0:03:46 | – | |
| 6.5: Pragmatics | 0:03:27 | – | |
| 6.6: Environmental, Cultural, and Genetic Influences | 0:04:17 | – | |
| 6.7: Bilingualism | 0:03:07 | – | |
| 6: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 7: Intelligence Throughout the Life Span (6%) 00:28:52 total video length 2 total readings |
7: Intelligence Throughout the Lifespan | 0:01:44 | – |
| 7.1: Concepts of Intelligence and Creativity | 0:07:43 | – | |
| 7.2: Developmental Stability and Change | 0:03:36 | – | |
| 7.3: Heredity and Environment | 0:03:03 | – | |
| 7.4: Reaction Range | 0:02:43 | 1+ | |
| 7.5: Intelligence Tests | 0:05:38 | – | |
| 7.6: Giftedness | 0:04:25 | 1+ | |
| 7: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 8: Social Development Throughout the Life Span (12%) 01:04:47 total video length 5 total readings |
8: Social Development Throughout the Lifespan | 0:02:17 | – |
| 8.1: Attachment | 0:07:15 | – | |
| 8.2: The Self | 0:03:40 | 1+ | |
| 8.3: Social Cognition | 0:05:59 | – | |
| 8.4: Social Learning and Modeling | 0:06:17 | – | |
| 8.5: Gender | 0:07:01 | – | |
| 8.6: Interpersonal Relationships | 0:07:37 | – | |
| 8.7: Moral Development | 0:08:36 | 1+ | |
| 8.8: Prosocial Behavior | 0:03:29 | 1+ | |
| 8.9: Risk and Resilience | 0:05:49 | – | |
| 8.10: Aggression | 0:04:07 | 1+ | |
| 8.11: Wellness | 0:02:40 | 1+ | |
| 8: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 9: Family, Home, and Society Throughout the Life Span (8%) 00:53:34 total video length 4 total readings |
9: Family, Home, and Society Throughout the Lifespan | 0:01:59 | – |
| 9.1: Family Structures | 0:01:45 | – | |
| 9.2: Family Relations | 0:03:40 | – | |
| 9.3: Parenting Styles | 0:05:36 | – | |
| 9.4: Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Perspective | 0:07:40 | – | |
| 9.5: Multicultural Perspectives | 0:07:57 | 1+ | |
| 9.6: Socioeconomic Influences | 0:05:30 | – | |
| 9.7: Abuse and Neglect | 0:05:58 | 1+ | |
| 9.8: Media and Technology | 0:07:59 | 1+ | |
| 9.9: Death and Dying | 0:05:30 | 1+ | |
| 9: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 10: Personality and Emotion (8%) 01:06:41 total video length 5 total readings |
10: Personality and Emotion | 0:02:09 | – |
| 10.1: Temperament | 0:03:22 | 1+ | |
| 10.2: Development of Emotions | 0:06:16 | – | |
| 10.3: Emotional Expression and Regulation | 0:04:21 | 1+ | |
| 10.4: Emotional Intelligence | 0:09:20 | – | |
| 10.5: Freud’s Psychodynamic Theory | 0:05:54 | – | |
| 10.6: Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory | 0:22:18 | 1+ | |
| 10.7: Stability and Change in Personality | 0:08:21 | 1+ | |
| 10.8: Attribution Styles | 0:04:40 | 1+ | |
| 10: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 11: Schooling, Work, and Interventions (6%) 00:55:09 total video length 4 total readings |
11: Schooling, Work, and Interventions | 0:02:50 | – |
| 11.1: Day Care and Preschool | 0:05:10 | – | |
| 11.2: Applications of Developmental Principles in Schools | 0:09:04 | – | |
| 11.3: Operant Conditioning and Behavior Management | 0:07:52 | 1+ | |
| 11.4: Learning Modalities | 0:04:11 | – | |
| 11.5: Intervention Programs and Services | 0:06:01 | – | |
| 11.6: Occupational Development | 0:06:45 | – | |
| 11.7: Role Transitions | 0:04:45 | 1+ | |
| 11.8: Retirement | 0:04:33 | 1+ | |
| 11.9: Elder Care | 0:03:58 | 1+ | |
| 11: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 12: Developmental Psychopathology (6%) 00:32:25 total video length 2 total readings |
12: Developmental Psychopathology | 0:01:27 | – |
| 12.1: Chronic Illnesses | 0:03:20 | – | |
| 12.2: Intellectual Disability | 0:02:36 | – | |
| 12.3: Cognitive Disorders | 0:04:06 | – | |
| 12.4: Trauma-Based Syndromes | 0:02:31 | – | |
| 12.5: Autism Spectrum Disorders | 0:02:55 | – | |
| 12.6: ADHD | 0:02:11 | – | |
| 12.7: Learning Disabilities | 0:02:46 | 1+ | |
| 12.8: Asocial Behavior and Obsessions | 0:04:51 | – | |
| 12.9: Antisocial Behavior | 0:01:40 | – | |
| 12.10: Anxiety and Bipolar Disorder | 0:04:03 | 1+ | |
| 12: Summary | – | – |
