Introduction to Social and Cognitive Psychology

The Cognitive Psychology component of this module introduces students to cognitive psychology as a science. The aim is to provide students with a sound understanding of research into human cognition including areas such as perception, attention, language, memory and thinking, coupled with an awareness of applications of cognitive research to real-world scenarios. Within the Social Psychology component students will explore a range of basic social psychological theories that have been developed to explain our engagement with others such as how attitudes develop; how aggressive or altruistic behaviour can be explained; and how our identities influence the ways we view, and are viewed by, others.

Psychological Research in Practice

This module aims to familiarise students with a range of practical techniques and methodological approaches in psychology. Students will engage with a series of lectures, seminars and practical workshops based on research that has been undertaken within a variety of areas within psychology. Through these sessions students will develop an appreciation of the varied approaches to psychological research psychologists have used and the methodological challenges individual approaches pose. Students will also develop their report writing skills.

Does Psychology Matter?

This module will introduce students to Psychology as a critical discipline. As such, the module aims to use a number of key topic areas through which to explore how psychologists discuss and debate such issues. The module will impress upon students the need to use evidence to support arguments, to recognise and consider alternative viewpoints and to construct their arguments with care and precision. Furthermore it will help to promote such key transferable skills as critical thinking, argument construction, and communication which will be of benefit to the student in both their academic studies and future employment. Teaching on the module will be by a mixture of interactive lectures and informal, small group debate and discussion.

Introduction to Biological and Developmental Psychology

The Developmental Psychology component introduces students to concepts, theories and methods relevant to the study of child development. Students will be introduced to the area of developmental psychology, its historical development, the methods used by researchers working in this field and key debates such as what drives development? The research and theories proposed by key figures working in the areas of social and cognitive development will then be discussed. Within the Biological Psychology component students will explore how the brain works, including an introduction to the brain, neural structures and neurons. We will investigate whether parts of our brains serve specialised functions and if there are individual differences in brain structure, in particular associated with handedness. We will also investigate how our understanding of brain function informs our understanding of selected areas of cognition and behaviour.

Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology

The purpose of this module is to provide students with an introduction to the key principles underlying research methods in psychology. Students will be taught the need for systematic research methods and will explore the relationship between theory and data in both quantitative and qualitative research. Students will learn key principles in research design and will engage in the practical aspects of generating quantitative and qualitative research data. Students will learn how to analyse quantitative and qualitative data and how to report the findings of simple psychological studies in a standardised format.

Psychology in the Modern World

The module will examine how psychology can explain our experience of and engagement with the modern world. The breadth of psychology as a discipline and its potential for explaining human experience will be illustrated by using a number of contemporary issues to highlight the contribution of psychological theory and knowledge. The module will promote a range of key transferable skills such as observation and analysis, independent investigation and appreciation of different perspectives which will be of benefit to the student in both their academic studies and future employment.

Skills and Careers in Psychology I

This free standing module is a zero-credit module that is core for all psychology students and will be assessed using a pass/fail element. The module and assessment fulfils the Personal Development Planning (PDP) requirements of the programme for Level 4. It will provide students with academic, careers and employability support throughout the first year of their degree. The learning materials will cover skills within the graduate framework. A number of workshops will be offered to address fundamental skills required within the degree, such as basic essay writing techniques and assessment skills. Careers workshops will showcase the support services available, and encourage students to think about improving their employability. Not only will these enhance students’ academic development but they will also present skills that are transferable to a number of different contexts.

Intermediate English I

Students will develop their general English skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking, and be provided with an introduction to academic English. Students will develop their grammatical, phonological and general and subject specific lexical awareness. By the end of the module students’ language for academic study should be at a mid B2 on the CEFR equivalent to IELTS 5.5.

Biological and Developmental Psychology

The Biological component of this module aims to provide students with a critical understanding of the relationship between brain functioning and behaviour. Students will examine the biological bases of a range of behaviours and will consider how research in biological psychology can contribute to the understanding of psychological function. This component of the module is delivered through a mix of lectures, seminars, workshops/online materials and activities, and discussion. The Developmental component of this module aims to further develop students’ understanding of psychological concepts, theories and methods relevant to the study of lifespan developmental psychology. During this section of the module students will explore a range of research relating to cognitive and social development throughout the lifespan and develop the skills needed to evaluate existing research. This component of the module may be delivered through a mix of lectures, seminars, workshops/online materials and activities, and discussion.

Quantitative Methods & Individual Differences

This module advances the concepts of quantitative research methods that were introduced to students at Level 4 using the study of individual differences. Students will be introduced to traditional areas and prominent thinkers in the areas of personality and intelligence theory, before moving onto more specific areas of psychology where the differences between individuals has been researched. Alongside this, students will learn how to design and conduct appropriate experimental and quasi-experimental investigations of a range of individual differences variables. They will also be introduced to elementary scale development for the testing of individual differences within psychology.

Abnormal Psychology

The module aims to develop in students a critical understanding of the main forms of mental illness from a psychological perspective. The module provides students with an understanding of the key features of a variety of disorders and examines the contribution psychological approaches make to the theories, research, diagnosis and treatment of abnormal behaviour.

Cognitive and Social Psychology

This module will address key debates in cognitive and social psychology. The module will consider how we perceive and process information, how our cognitions help us make sense of our surroundings, how we interact with others and how those interactions are understood and managed. Teaching on the module will move from a consideration of psychology at an individual level with the focus on cognitive processes to social psychology in which the role of social contexts and processes is considered. In the social psychology sessions we will introduce a range of theories relating to social processes and explore social life as it is enacted in contemporary, everyday contexts. Within both cognitive and social psychology we will explore a range of theoretical and methodological perspectives and will demonstrate some of the contrasts and connections between these two approaches to psychology.

Qualitative Methods: The Individual in Society

This module introduces a range of qualitative methods used within contemporary psychology and explores the different insights these approaches bring to the area of individual differences. The module will be divided into sections which each introduce a different qualitative method. In addition, the underlying assumptions which inform psychological research into individual differences such as gender, identity, health and so on are examined. The range of philosophical orientations and methodological approaches covered in the module enables students to consider the ways in which the individual and their engagement with the social world can be explored from a qualitative perspective.

The Psychology of Health

The module builds on and develops knowledge gained through the study of core psychology at levels 4 and its application to the study of health and illness. Health psychology is one of the fastest growing disciplines in psychology. This module will explore the key theoretical concepts that underpin the discipline and introduce students to the main models and theories that health psychologists use to explain the experience of health and illness and their links to other areas of psychology.

Skills and Careers in Psychology II

This free standing module is a zero-credit module that is core for all psychology students and will be assessed using a pass/fail element. The module and assessment fulfils the Personal Development Planning (PDP) requirements of the programme for Level 5. It will provide students with academic, careers and employability support throughout the second year of their degree. The learning materials will cover skills within the graduate framework. This module moves on from its level 4 predecessor, by building more advanced academic skills, such as critical thinking and advanced research methods. The careers workshops focus more specifically on career paths available and practical support. The module as a whole will focus on developing the student as a professional.

Intermediate English II

The module builds on Intermediate English 1 and further develops students’ general and academic English skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Students will be exposed to more advanced forms of academic English. Students will further develop their grammatical, phonological and general and subject specific lexical awareness. By the end of the module students’ language for academic study should be at a B2/B2+ on the CEFR equivalent to IELTS 6.0 or above.

Forensic Applications of Psychology

The module will give students a thorough introduction to the application of psychology to our understanding of criminal behaviour and the criminal justice system. The module will be divided into two sections. The first will examine psychologically oriented explanations of criminal behaviour. The second will focus on police investigation and judicial processes. Students will leave the module with a rounded understanding of how psychology has been applied, and can further be applied, to the criminal justice system and explanations of crime and offender behaviour.

Addictive Behaviours

The module critically examines contemporary psychological approaches to the understanding of substance use and addiction. Students will consider the relative contributions of psychological theories from the fields of biological, behavioural, social and cognitive psychology to understanding, treatment and prevention of addictions, including those not involving consumption of substances.

Autism, Asperger’s & ADHD

This module introduces three major interrelated childhood developmental disorders. Students will be encouraged to consider the often fine-lines between Autistic Disorders, Asperger’s Disorder and the subtypes of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. The module draws heavily on a wealth of fascinating research and theory but also considers the individual experience and characteristics of people with these diagnoses. Topics might covered include, social and communication impairment, theory of mind, weak central coherence theory and executive dysfunction, savant ability, behavioural and pharmacological treatment, classification, diagnosis and developmental outcomes. The module is presented in a series of lectures and seminars where students can develop an understanding of these conditions.

Clinical Applications of Psychology

The module builds on and develops knowledge gained through the study of core psychology at levels 4 and 5 and its application in an applied context. This module is designed to develop students’ understanding of the application of psychological theory and research in practice. The module will focus on the three professional areas of psychology (clinical, health and counselling) that are concerned with the psychological health and well-being of individuals. Students will be introduced to the generic skills required of psychologists working in these areas before exploring the application of psychological theory and research to understanding the psychological components of a range of clinically relevant topics. The use of psychologically-based assessments, interventions and therapies appropriate to specific populations and clinical issues will also be examined.

Psychology in Education

The module is about how psychology applies to education. This means the application of psychological theory, research and methods to educational processes and settings. The module therefore has a strongly applied emphasis. It will look at a range of educational settings, from primary to higher education. It is designed with students in mind who may progress to postgraduate training to qualify as teachers or educational psychologists, or who may work in educational settings (e.g. as teaching assistants). It is also designed to be attractive to students combining psychology and education, as well as those with a strong interest in education and applied psychology.

Applied Psychology Research Project

This module represents the culmination of students’ training in psychological research methods, and allows students to put into practice research skills acquired at Levels 4 and 5. Under academic supervision, students identify a research issue in an area of psychology of their choosing, formulate meaningful research questions and/or hypotheses, select appropriate methods, collect and analyse empirical data, and write up the study in a scientific report. In addition, students prepare for graduate employment and/or postgraduate training by reflecting on and articulating the personal and transferable skills they have developed across their studies.