Change in Knowledge and Attitudes among Students in an Undergraduate Developmental Psychology Class

Abstract

Non-parent college students enrolled in a lifespan developmental psychology course were assessed at two time points (beginning of the semester and shortly after midterm) on knowledge and attitudes that would likely to be useful for the transition to parenthood. Students reported perceived change in knowledge and attitudes, and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed statistically significant increases in knowledge of infant and child development, knowledge of reproduction and sexuality, rejections of vaccination myths, and appropriate expectations for children. Participants also reported significantly reduced belief in the use and value of corporal punishment, and parent-child role reversal.