| Module |
Credits |
Compulsory/optional |
|
Research Planning
|
15 Credits |
Compulsory |
| In this module students will work with a supervisor to review and develop a research hypothesis drawing upon suitable methodologies appropriate to the area of research and the intended aims. In developing this research, students will consider the ethical requirements of the research and submit an ethics application form in accordance with BPS guidelines. Students will present this research hypothesis considering replicable and reproducible practices, and will discuss the wider impact of their research. The research hypothesis developed for this module will form the basis of the students' Advanced Psychology Project (7LMS2048). |
|
Using Data to Address Research Questions
|
15 Credits |
Compulsory |
| The aim of this module is to introduce and develop those skills that are core to using quantitative data in psychology. The module will focus on developing students' conceptual understanding of statistics and develop their capacity to use a range of statistical methods, from descriptive to inferential. The module will also focus on advancing students' ability to carry out statistical analyses using specialist software (such as SPSS) and report statistical findings using conventional formats in psychology. |
|
Methods of Collecting Data in Psychology
|
15 Credits |
Compulsory |
| The module aims to develop students' skills in formulating, executing, and reporting results of well-designed investigations of psychological phenomena. Investigations will be based on psychological theory, employ a range of well-established methods and will require the skilled execution of practical techniques and data presentation. Students will be expected to master the theory of basic experimental design and qualitative methodology. Ethical considerations relevant to the conduct of investigations with human participants will be emphasised. Students will develop collaborative skills in working as a small group to produce a formative assignment to develop their knowledge and understanding of conducting and reporting experiments. |
|
Advanced Psychology Project
|
45 Credits |
Compulsory |
| There are no formal lectures. Students will develop, under the supervision of an appropriate member of staff, a research question which they will operationalise. Students are expected to demonstrate a high level of critical awareness of contemporary literature and in-depth data analysis.This module is only appropriate for students with suitable advanced background knowledge and skills. |
|
Development, Social and Cognitive Psychology
|
30 Credits |
Compulsory |
| The module reviews basic issues and addresses current developments in developmental, social and cognitive psychology and develops students' ability to critically review pertinent literature. This is a double module where Developmental, Social and Cognitive psychology are taught over both Semesters A and B in 7-week blocks. Typically the course starts off with 7 weeks of Developmental Psychology, followed by 7 weeks of Cognitive Psychology lectures, and then 7 weeks of Social Psychology lectures. In Developmental Psychology the emphasis is on early childhood development of language and play. Cognitive Psychology considers memory systems, intelligence, reasoning, judgment and decision making, and language. Questions considered in the Social Psychology section include why we tend to use stereotypes when assigning characteristics to members of a group, why conflict may occur between members of distinct social groups, and what we think causes other people to behave as they do. |
|
The Biological Basis of Psychology
|
15 Credits |
Compulsory |
| The course provides a critical introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience. Aspects of the organisation and function of the brain systems will be considered. A contemporary and integrated perspective will be offered on the possible relationships between brain and selected aspects of cognitive activity. |
|
Individual Differences and Conceptual/Historical Issues in Psychology
|
15 Credits |
Compulsory |
| This module introduces students to a critical analysis of the historical background of many current areas of investigation in psychology. Influential personalities and theories will be presented and discussed. A particular focus will be placed on the area of individual differences. |
|
Forensic Psychology
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| Forensic Psychology concerns the application of psychological theory and principles to the understanding of crime, crime control and the legal process. This module is designed to give students an understanding of how forensic psychology can be applied to legal and criminal issues, where it stands in relation to other disciplines, and make clear the paths and routes to becoming a Forensic Psychologist. The module will equip students with an overview of current and historical psychological theory as applied to forensic topics. Particular attention will be paid to the psychology of judicial proceedings, eyewitness testimony, false confessions, offender profiling, investigation of the causes of offending behaviour and methods of tackling crime and offender behaviour. In addition, students will study the role the media play in the construction of ideas about crime, fear of crime and policy in relation to crime. |
|
Clinical Psychology
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| The course addresses substantive and methodological issues relating to mental illness from a cognitive
perspective. Each week's lecture presents a topic within the field of psychopathology. Most weeks' topics
centre on a diagnosis - for example depression, schizophrenia - or a particular topical issue, for example, the
role of childhood events for future mental health. The topics are examined from a range of perspectives but
emphasis is placed on the cognitive components of mental health problems and the cognitive perspective on
specific issues. The course is supported by the use of video material as a way of demonstrating specific
diagnoses and highlighting topical questions. |
|
Educational Psychology
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| The module will deal with the main areas of the discipline of Educational Psychology. This course will cover the contexts in which educational psychologists operate. It will outline the professional routes towards practice within this discipline, and the legislative and policy guidance within which practitioners operate. The module will cover conceptual issues of social educational needs, inclusion and diversity in learners. It will present material on a range of assessment practices, and their limitations within the context of different learning settings. The course will also deal with special intervention work with specific populations such as young people with a range of social and emotional difficulties and vulnerable adolescents. The ethical dimension of the Educational Psychologists work will be looked at, covering questions such as "who is the client" (school, family, parent, child, society?), and whether diagnosis and formulation can have disadvantages. Finally the course will examine psychological approaches to group work with teachers and pupils as well as the application of theory in helping transform aspects of schools and other organisations. |
|
Sports Psychology
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| Students will be introduced to the sub discipline of sports psychology, exploring the application of cognitive and biological psychology in order to gain a better understanding of their impact upon performance in sport. This lecture based module will typically include coverage of professional routes for becoming a Sports Psychologists, performance profiling, goal-setting, imagery and mental rehearsal, self-confidence, stress and anxiety, concentration and the integration of psychological theory to the planning and implementation of interventions designed to improve athletic performance. |
|
Occupational Psychology
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| This module will provide an introduction to some of the key topics relating to people's behaviour in the workplace. Topics will include stress; relationships in the workplace; error and accidents; leadership and career development as well as other relevant aspects of organisational behaviour. |
|
Cognitive Neuropsychology
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| The module attempts to show how a variety of disorders of perception, language and memory can provide a critical source of evidence through which to understand normal cognitive function. The module will focus on current models of cognition, through the relationship between cognitive function and neuropsychological systems will also be considered. The aim of the module is to provide students with a thorough grounding in understanding higher mental processes.The module content will be delivered through a combination of pre-recorded online lectures and group seminars. |
