Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Psychology
Module Catalogue
Semester 2 - 2015/2016
Module Code: PS1807
Module Name: Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics 2
Module Credits:
No. of Periods:
Level:
Module Tutor:
15
1
Level 4
Michael Wood
Module Description:
Students are introduced to exploratory data analysis through being required to interpret
and display both quantitative and qualitative data in a variety of methods. Students are
encouraged to see how data analysis relates to research design and hence to understand
and value the insights that can be gained by a competent knowledge of quantitative and
qualitative techniques. Basic concepts in the philosophy of science are addressed, and
ethical issues are covered. Workshop sessions enable practice of data analysis skills.
Students will carry out some practical investigations. Students will work in small groups to
further develop skills in design, data collection, analysis and report writing. Each practical
investigation is selected to illustrate particular aspects of design or analysis with a
progression towards more complex design and more emphasis on theoretical issues.
Specific to:
Psychology single honours
Psychology Joint
Assessments:
001:
002:
003:
004:
Practical report 1 (1500 words)
Weekly worksheets
Exam (2 hrs)
Research participation
Availability:
Occ.
A
Year
15/16
Semester
S2
40%
5%
50%
5%
Day
Time
Module Code: PS1808
Module Name: Foundations in Psychology 2
Module Credits:
No. of Periods:
Level:
Module Tutor:
15
1
Level 4
Wendy Kneller
Module Description:
This module introduces students to the core sub-disciplines of cognitive psychology and
psychobiology. Over twelve weeks we will introduce you to the historical and contemporary
perspectives of mind and brain. You will gain understanding of how these approaches can
inform the other, and how they have developed into cognitive neuroscience. You will also
gain experience of running a psychobiological experiment, developing further the skills of
data collection, analysis and report writing. We will build on these foundations in Year 2
where each of these sub-disciplines will be explored further.
Specific to:
Psychology single honours
Psychology Joint
Assessments:
001:
002:
Practical report (1500 words)
Exam (1 hour)
Availability:
Occ.
A
Year
15/16
Semester
S2
50%
50%
Day
Time
Module Code: PS1810
Module Name: Psychology in Contemporary Society
Module Credits:
No. of Periods:
Level:
Module Tutor:
15
1
Level 4
Sarah Bayless
Module Description:
This module will introduce students to the way in which psychology can be both used and
mis-used in a variety of ways in contemporary society. A series of lectures will demonstrate
the gap between scientific psychology and its sometimes misinterpretation by groups
including the media, business and even law enforcement. By the end of the module
students should have a good understanding of the importance of scientific research and
communication to the public. Students will research a selection of the topics presented, and
write a portfolio of their findings in which they will be assessed on their critical analysis of
the evidence and their ability to present scientific research in society.
Specific to:
Psychology single honours
Assessments:
001:
Portfolio (2000 words)
Availability:
Occ.
A
Year
15/16
Semester
S2
100%
Day
Time
Module Code: PS2811
Module Name: Human Perception and Performance
Module Credits:
No. of Periods:
Level:
Module Tutor:
30
2
Level 5
Valerie Bonnardel
Module Description:
This module provides students with a broad overview of topics in Cognitive Psychology and
Psychobiology, such as sensation and perception, language, memory, problem solving
cognitive disorders, connectionism, neural organisation of cognition and brain plasticity and
cognitive functions. Topics in Applied Cognition and Human Factors will illustrate the
multidisciplinary knowledge integration in practical contexts. Individual differences and
developmental aspect of cognition will be addressed across the different topics.
Specific to:
Psychology single honours
Psychology Joint
Assessments:
001:
002:
003:
Exam (2 hours)
Report 1 (1500 words)
Report 2 (1500 words)
Availability:
Occ.
A
Year
15/16
Semester
S2
40%
30%
30%
Day
Time
Module Code: PS2812
Module Name: Society and Communication
Module Credits:
No. of Periods:
Level:
Module Tutor:
30
2
Level 5
Dr. David Giles
Module Description:
This module provides students with a broad overview of social, developmental and
personality aspects of human communication such as: language and moral development,
social interaction (in crowds, online and via media as well as issues such as prejudice,
aggression, altruism, attitude formation and change) and personality and mental health. It
also develops their methodological skills with respect of observation methods and the use
of measurement scales.
Specific to:
Psychology single honours
Psychology Joint
Assessments:
001:
002:
003:
Practical report 1 (1500 words)
Practical report 2 (1500 words)
Exam (2 hours)
Availability:
Occ.
A
Year
15/16
Semester
S2
30%
30%
40%
Day
Time
Module Code: PS2813
Module Name: Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods
Module Credits:
No. of Periods:
Level:
Module Tutor:
30
2
Level 5
Debra Gray
Module Description:
This module aims to introduce students to both qualitative and quantitative research
designs and analysis, emphasising both practical research skills and critical analytic skills.
The quantitative component of the module will comprise weekly statistics lectures and
workshops, in which students go through a number of set work questions using a statistical
software package (SPSS). The qualitative component will cover a variety of data collection
methods (e.g. focus groups and textual methods), and students will gain practical skills in
coding and analysing qualitative data. Students will also have bi-weekly seminars in which
they will critique the assumptions, methods, and analysis of specially chosen published
studies (both quantitative and qualitative). The aim of the seminar series is to develop
student’s confidence in approaching published research from a more critical perspective.
Specific to:
Psychology single honours
Psychology Joint
Assessments:
001:
002:
003:
004:
Critical evaluation (1500 words)
Report (1500 words)
Exam (3 hours)
Research participation credit
Availability:
Occ.
A
Year
15/16
Semester
S2
25%
25%
40%
10%
Day
Time
Module Code: PS3808
Module Name: Topics in Educational Psychology
Module Credits:
No. of Periods:
Level:
Module Tutor:
15
1
Level 6
Dr. Merce Prat-Sala
Module Description:
This module will provide students with the opportunity to study some topics related to
education across all ages. Students will be introduced to a range of topics in educational
psychology which might include topics such as learning, motivation, individual differences
and achievement, literacy, numeracy, social-emotional development, special educational
needs and developmental difficulties linked to educational psychology. Students will
examine current research in a range of topics, reflecting on different methods used to study
Educational Psychology.
Specific to:
Psychology single honours
Psychology Joint
Assessments:
001:
Exam
Availability:
Occ.
A
Year
15/16
100%
Semester
S2
Day
Time
Module Code: PS3823
Module Name: Psychology, Crime and Criminal Justice
Module Credits:
No. of Periods:
Level:
Module Tutor:
15
1
Level 6
Wendy Kneller
Module Description:
This module will provide students with the opportunity to study topics related to
psychology, crime and the criminal justice system. Students will be introduced to a small
number of key topics in the area such as theories of criminal behaviour, treatment
programmes for rehabilitating offenders, mental illness and crime, detection and deception,
interviewing techniques, and eyewitness memory and testimony. A number of issues
relating to each key topic will be covered and relevant research critically examined. The
module will draw on knowledge students gained from first and second year modules
regarding cognitive, social and developmental psychology and demonstrates how these
areas relate to real world issues relating to crime and the Criminal Justice System. The aim is
to give students a flavour of potential area of subsequent professional practice in Forensic
Psychology.
Specific to:
Psychology single honours
Psychology Joint
Assessments:
001:
002:
Essay
Exam
Availability:
Occ.
A
Year
15/16
60%
40%
Semester
S2
Day
Time
Module Code: PS3824
Module Name: Media Psychology
Module Credits:
No. of Periods:
Level:
Module Tutor:
15
1
Level 6
Dr. David Giles
Module Description:
This module aims to introduce students to media psychology through the study of specific
topics and theoretical/methodological approaches. Media psychology is essentially the
study of how human beings engage with the 'mass' media - from traditional media such as
newspapers through to new media phenomena like social networking sites - and to what
extent these influence behaviour. There will be a broad introduction to the field of
communication science and its relationship to social psychology in particular, followed by
more in-depth treatment of specific topics. This will include long-standing media psychology
topics such as the influence of 'media violence', as well as contemporary issues that reflect
staff research interests and activities.
Specific to:
Psychology single honours
Psychology Joint
Assessments:
001:
Exam
Availability:
Occ.
A
Year
15/16
100%
Semester
S2
Day
Time
Module Code: PS3827
Module Name: Evolutionary Psychology and Human Nature - subject to
validation
Module Credits:
No. of Periods:
Level:
Module Tutor:
15
1
Level 6
Manuela Thomae
Module Description:
Much of the material presented in this course forms part of the academic disciplines of
evolutionary psychology and human behavioural ecology. The goal of this course is to
discover and understand the principles of evolutionary psychology and other
complementary paradigms. The module explores human behaviour from an evolutionary
perspective. Topics covered are reproductive and mating strategies, parenting behaviour,
play, kinship, cooperation, survival, pregnancy, and jealously. The course will provide an
excellent understanding of the biological nature of human behaviour, and develop skills in
critical thinking. Students are encouraged to bring relevant questions and observations to
seminars.
Specific to:
Psychology single honours
Psychology Joint
Assessments:
001:
Portfolio
Availability:
Occ.
A
Year
15/16
100%
Semester
S2
Day
Time