- Researchers in Lifespan Developmental Psychology seek to understand human development across the lifespan at specific stages or ages in life (i.e., childhood, adolescence, aging). Course content focuses on childhood through the end of life, including social as well as cognitive development. Students also can develop specializations within specific sub-areas (cognitive development, social development) and age groups (e.g. childhood, adulthood, and aging). This is a research-intensive program that encourages individually tailored educational planning, depending on students’ career plans.