Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Psychology
Module Catalogue
Semester 1 - 2015/2016
Module Code: PS1803
Module Name: Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics 1
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 quantitative data in a variety of methods. The use of descriptive and inferential
statistics is introduced. 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 statistical techniques. Workshop sessions enable practice of data
analysis skills. Students will carry out some practical investigations. Students will work on
small groups to develop skills in data collection analysis and report writing. Practical
investigations are selected to illustrate particular aspects of design or analysis.
Specific to:
Psychology single honours
Psychology Joint
Assessments:
001:
002:
003:
004:
Report (1200 words)
In-class test (1 hour)
Weekly worksheets
Research participation credit
Availability:
Occ.
A
Year
15/16
Semester
S1
40%
50%
5%
5%
Day
Time
Module Code: PS1804
Module Name: Foundations in Psychology 1
Module Credits:
No. of Periods:
Level:
Module Tutor:
15
1
Level 4
Kirsty Ross
Module Description:
This module will cover the history of developmental, social and personality psychology.
Developmental content may include topics such as prenatal development and the new-born
period, social development, and the social contexts of development. Social psychology
content will focus on social cognition (stereotypes, attribution etc.) and on self and social
identity. Personality psychology will cover an introduction to personality theories and
theories of intelligence.
Specific to:
Psychology single honours
Psychology Joint
Assessments:
001:
002:
Essay (1200 words)
In-class test (1 hour)
Availability:
Occ.
A
Year
15/16
Semester
S1
50%
50%
Day
Time
Module Code: PS1805
Module Name: Introduction to Psychological Disorders
Module Credits:
No. of Periods:
Level:
Module Tutor:
15
1
Level 4
Rhiannon Jones
Module Description:
Introduction to Psychological Disorders introduces students to the world of clinical
psychology and the mental health conditions that clinicians encounter. They will be
introduced to the history of abnormal psychology, from the origins of the asylum to the
present day diagnostic system of the DSM. The module will focus on the psychological
origins of a selection of prevalent mental health conditions by exploring both theoretical
approaches in academic psychology and by studying examples of individual experiences.
Students will study critical approaches to the clinical management of mental health and of
the nature of psychological disturbance generally and its impact on the social environment.
They will also be given some insight into the workings of clinical psychology in the UK
context and the various career opportunities offered within the profession for psychological
graduates.
Specific to:
Psychology single honours
Assessments:
001:
In-class test (2 hours)
Availability:
Occ.
A
Year
15/16
Semester
S1
100%
Day
Time
Module Code: PS1806
Module Name: Perspectives in Psychology
Module Credits:
No. of Periods:
Level:
Module Tutor:
15
1
Level 4
Dr. Merce Prat-Sala
Module Description:
In this module we take a critical look at a range of topics across the different sub-disciplines
of psychology. The aim is to show how the same topics can be seen from different
perspectives. This might include topics such as the psychology of communication and the
psychological aspects of health and wellbeing. For example, we will look at health and
wellbeing from an individual differences perspective (e.g. relating to self-esteem), a cross
cultural perspective (e.g. in health beliefs), an applied perspective (e.g. health interventions)
and health and wellbeing in the workplace. Emphasis will be placed on how to build an
argument and how to use evidence to support or criticise the point(s) being discussed.
Specific to:
Psychology single honours
Assessments:
001:
Essay (2000 words)
Availability:
Occ.
A
Year
15/16
Semester
S1
100%
Day
Time
Module Code: PS2803
Module Name: Developmental Psychology
Module Credits:
No. of Periods:
Level:
Module Tutor:
15
1
Level 5
Louise Bunce
Module Description:
This module aims to introduce students to both developmental theory and developmental
method. Students will have a chance to develop practical skills within the practical
component of this course. Developmental psychology covers not only a vast array of
relevant phenomena, it also, possibly more so than other sub-disciplines, includes a
considerable number of theoretical vantage points from which those developmental
phenomena can be interpreted. There will be ample scope to let students engage with a
number of important traditional perspectives as well as more contemporary ways of looking
at development. Key will be the image of the child’s situated development within a complex
setting in which social, biological and cultural factors play their part. Themes will include
how children shape their own development, are shaped by their environment, and
similarities and individual differences in the course of development.
Specific to:
Psychology single honours
Psychology Joint
Assessments:
A:
B:
Practical report
Essay
Availability:
Occ.
A
Year
15/16
50%
50%
Semester
S1
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
S1
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
S1
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
S1
25%
25%
40%
10%
Day
Time
Module Code: PS3825
Module Name: Society, Politics and Prejudice
Module Credits:
No. of Periods:
Level:
Module Tutor:
15
1
Level 6
Debra Gray
Module Description:
This module will provide students with the opportunity to examine the ways in which
psychology and psychological theories have been applied to a range of socio-political issues
and concerns. Students will be introduced to a number of key topics in this area, e.g.
political identities and behaviours; political participation and civic engagement; collective
action and political violence; prejudice and discrimination, conspiracy theories, counterculture and fringe, and persuasion and propaganda. These topics will build on knowledge
and understanding that students have gained from first and second year modules, and will
enable them to critically understand the ways in which these psychological theories have (or
can) contribute to our understanding of social and/or political phenomena that are of
contemporary concern. The lecture and seminar content will allow students to engage with
contemporary debates in these areas, as well as familiarise themselves with a range of
theoretical perspectives.
Specific to:
Psychology single honours
Psychology Joint
Assessments:
001:
002:
Proposal (2000 words)
In-class test (1 hour)
Availability:
Occ.
A
Year
15/16
Semester
S1
60%
40%
Day
Time
Module Code: PS3828
Module Name: Eyewitness Psychology - subject to validation
Module Credits: 15
No. of Periods: 1
Level:
Level 6
Module Tutor:
Module Description:
This module will provide students with the opportunity to study topics related to the
psychology of eyewitness performance. Students will be introduced to a small number of
key topics such as eyewitness testimony and suggestibility, interviewing witnesses and the
Cognitive Interview, facial composites, eyewitness identification evidence, and vulnerable
witnesses, for example child and older witnesses. 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 in first and second year modules regarding cognitive, social and
developmental psychology and demonstrates how these areas relate to the real world issue
of accuracy of eyewitness evidence within the Criminal Justice System.
Specific to:
Psychology single honours
Psychology Joint
Assessments:
001:
Exam
Availability:
Occ.
A
Year
15/16
100%
Semester
S1
Day
Time