Department of Developmental Psychology

The Department of Developmental Psychology is responsible for the teaching developmental psychology to psychology students and teacher training in psychology. 

In addition to the teaching activities, the following research activities are carried out: the Developmental Psychology and Neuropsychology Workshop (headed by Rita F. Földi, Associate Professor), whose main research profile is in the field of hyperactivity and learning disorders, which are the most frequently diagnosed disorders in children and adolescents. The complex research of multi-ethological syndromes, including neuropsychological abnormalities, functional disorders, early developmental delays due to the disorder, their symptoms, motor control, information reception, attention and cognitive strategies are part of this problem area. The research has resulted in the development of a therapeutic programme for children with hyperactivity and learning disabilities, aimed at improving school integration and learning performance.

The research on the neuropsychological background of learning abilities is used to develop procedures (headed by Judit Páli) that support the processes of maturation, development and evolution in connection with educational psychology and school psychology. Judit Páli treats the development of play and its cognitive developmental effects as a separate topic. She researches the neurological and neuropsychological background functions of this important area in child development, and her developmental games effectively target the corrective and compensatory mechanisms of developmental disorders (e.g., attention deficit and disruptive behavioural disorders), and also serve the prevention of learning disorders. Functional tests have been compared with projective drawing tests to identify organic or anxiety-related factors of behavioural disorders. The exploration of the background of the development is linked to the work of other researchers in the workshop, especially in relation to early socialisation characteristics (parental attitudes: Éva Hadházi; early attachment: Rita F. Földi). Some of our trainers have, in addition to their psychological training, a teaching degree and experience in public education.

Éva Hadházi: My research focuses primarily on the relational characteristics of parents, couples and families expecting a child. With my publications I try to contribute to a better understanding of the importance of parenthood, the pre- and perinatal period, since the family milieu, the effects of early socialisation (e.g., early attachment, parental attitudes, parenting styles etc.) are unquestionable in the healthy development of the personality. As a practicing psychologist and family therapist, I work with mother-family relationship analysis, prenatal relaxation, and collaborative counselling. I mainly accompany expectant mothers and couples planning to have a child, helping them to overcome their blocks and to develop a more harmonious relationship with their foetus, their baby and each other during this very sensitive time. As a university lecturer, it is a great help to me to use my practical experience to enrich students' knowledge and to shape their career socialisation.

Gábor Csikós: In addition to my work as a counsellor, I also work on the social context of psychology. On the one hand, this means examining the historical embeddedness of psychology (i.e., phenomena), and on the other hand, I seek to understand the internal dynamics of the family, the smallest unit of society, in times of crisis.

Csaba Kertész: My main research interests are the relationship between rhythm and the development of language and reading. I am a PhD student at the Doctoral School of Developmental and Clinical Child Psychology at ELTE PPK. I am involved in a number of research projects looking at how music activities (e.g., diagnostics, development, music therapy) can help children beyond the acquisition of pleasure. I work as a lecturer at the Liszt Ferenc University of Music, where I am involved in training future music teachers. As a practicing psychologist I work with adolescents and adults.

Andrea Kövesdi: In clinical practice, I deal with adolescents and young adults, including adolescent eating disorders, with a special focus on anorexia nervosa and body image disorders, and the treatment of psychosomatic illnesses with a resilience focus. Methodologically, she uses primarily systemic couple and family therapy and symbolic therapy. Her research focuses on the phenomenon of resilience ('psychological resilience') - e.g., in relation to eating disorders, COVID stress, traumatic life events - with an emphasis on its role in recovery. In his research, the symbols are presented in the 4 trees test. Her academic work displays an integration of researcher's perspective and practical experience.

The Reciprocal Development - Positive (RFP) Research Group was founded in 2018 by colleagues from the Department of Developmental Psychology, KRE. The researchers have organized their previous individual research areas (resilience, anxiety, quality of life, ADHD, relationship intimacy, parenting, parenting style) around the topic of resilience. The current research trend is to analyse the contextualisation of resilience; 1) in the context of human relational systems such as: couple relationships, parent-child relationships, family relationships, 2) in relation to neurodevelopmental immaturity, 3) self-efficacy, well-being, positive emotions, 4) psychological aspects of childhood psychosomatic (e.g., eating disorders), chronic and transplanted illnesses. For more information about our work, please visit: https://rezilienciakutatas.hu/

Our trainers have a wide range of interests and qualifications in many areas of psychology and borderline sciences, including the function of sport and humour. Our trainers regularly participate in national and international conferences, training courses and publish in international journals. In addition, members of the department regularly give professional development courses for teachers and special needs teachers.

Department of Developmental Psychology

Head of Department

Andrea Kövesdi, PhD

Andrea Kövesdi, PhD                        associate professor

Csaba Kertész                                    assistant lecturer

Eszter Hámori, PhD                           associate professor

Éva Hadházi, PhD                              associate professor

Gábor Csikós, PhD                            assistant professor

Judit Páli, PhD                                   associate professor

Rita Földi, PhD                                  associate professor

Zsuzsanna Vajda, PhD                       Professor Emerita