Co-ordinator
Dr. J. Mesman
Course objectives
In both research and in clinical practice, the structured observation of parent-child interactions is crucial to the comprehensive assessment and understanding of the dynamics of parenting and child behavior. In this course, students will be taught the basics of standardized observation of family interactions by watching and coding video materials of parents and their children in a variety of settings (home and lab) and a variety of situations (e.g., free play, structured tasks, frustration tasks). The course will focus on parenting behaviors such as sensitivity and discipline, as well as child behaviors such as aggression, compliance, and prosocial behavior. Coding systems for infancy, early childhood and adolescence will be presented. Further, both macro-level and micro-level coding systems, and the merits and limitations of various types of coding systems (e.g., rating scales, behavior frequencies) will be discussed. Finally, the course includes a discussion of methods for calculating intercoder reliability.
Eindtermen: 1-3-4-8-10-11-14-15-16-17-19
Methods of instruction
Interactive lectures in which the instructor discusses the literature and various coding systems, illustrated by video materials.
Weekly observation homework assignments
Weekly written homework assignments
Study material
Textbook: will be announced later
Full-text scientific papers to be made available during the course.
Examination
A written examination at the end of the course, based on the full-text scientific papers as well as the information provided during the lectures (50%);
Weekly observation assignments (25%)
Weekly written homework assignments (25%)