Psychology (Educational and Developmental Psychology)

Core modules

Psychology Tutorials

These tutorials aim to develop your academic skills, including in critical thinking, evaluating psychological research, research, debating and presenting.

Psychological in Context (Educational and Developmental Psychology)

This module examines the diversity of psychology within its current academic and professional context with an emphasis on (but not limited to) education and development psychology.

Research Methods One

An introduction to a variety of research methods used in psychology. You have the opportunity to develop and practice report-writing skills, understand experimentation and self-report methods, and gain practical experience. You will run and report upon your study in groups. You will be required to formulate hypotheses, search for and review any relevant literature in the library, prepare necessary materials or instruments, select a sample, collect and analyse data using appropriate statistical techniques, interpret the findings, and produce an individual written report of the work undertaken.

Statistics One

Study the fundamental concepts and practices of statistical data analysis in psychology. By the end of the module, you should be able to design research studies in psychology, and be familiar with a range of descriptive, nonparametric and parametric statistics. The module is assessed by one examination at the end. Continuous feedback throughout the year will help you progress, help you develop your skills, and act as a resource to draw upon when conducting research.

Cognitive and Biological Psychology (One)

Study the cognitive and biological aspects of psychology with particular emphasis on human experimental psychology and neuroscience. You will be introduced to: the structure and function of the brain and allied structures; the main approaches taken in behavioural neuroscience, such as functional neuroanatomy and neurophysiology; the language of biological psychology; the study of cognitive processes in a range of domains, such as perception, attention, memory, language, and thinking; the methods of investigating "hidden" mental processes; and understanding how empirical evidence can inform theory about how these processes are organised.

Social and Developmental Psychology (One)

Examine the fundamental aspects of social psychology, such as social attitudes and attribution, and developmental psychology, such as social, cognitive and emotional development during childhood. You will begin to consider the significance of social context for development, and develop a critical awareness of social and developmental psychological research.

Core modules

Research Methods and Statistics Two

An integrated module studying advanced experimental, psychometric, and qualitative research techniques in laboratory practicals. Supporting this are a series of lectures and workshops designed to help you develop your statistical knowledge and skills. Laboratory work will involve one experimental study, one regression-based study, and a qualitative study. All studies will be on an area relevant to psychology. You will be organised into small groups, and each group will have to run and report upon their study. You will also be required to formulate hypotheses, search for and review relevant literature, prepare or select necessary stimuli or scales, select a sample, collect and analyse data appropriately, interpret findings, and produce individual reports of the work undertaken. The module will also build upon the content of Statistics (One). Particular emphasis will be placed on factorial ANOVA and the concept of interaction. You will also consider the theory and statistical techniques associated primarily with non-experimental research. These include multiple regression, Cronbach’s alpha, multiple correlations, and exploratory factor analysis.

Cognitive and Biological Psychology Two

Study the cognitive and biological perspective of psychology, encountering concepts and research methodologies in topics such as memory, attention, sensation, and perception. You will be introduced to the structure and function of the brain and allied structures; the language of biological psychology; the main approaches taken in behavioural neuroscience, such as functional neuroanatomy and functional neurophysiology; a range of biological, evolutionary and genetic influences that affect human behaviour and experience; basic cognitive processes; and the relationship between cognitive approaches and other approaches in psychology. You will also consider the applications of cognitive psychology in accounting for everyday processes and in improving human performance.

Social and Lifespan Developmental Psychology

Examine social and lifespan developmental aspects of psychology, including: the major theories and methodological approaches in social and developmental psychology; the range of development across a person’s lifespan; the diversity of development of individuals and groups across age, time, culture and place; and the relationship between theories in social psychology and an everyday understanding of social behaviour.

Individual Differences and Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology

Examine several key topics aligned to individual differences in psychology – including personality, intelligence, motivation, mood, and mental health – placing this material in context from a historical and cultural perspective. Topics covered will include: the theories and approaches to understanding and investigating personality and intelligence; historical evolution of approaches to studying individual differences; real-world applications of individual differences for assessment, and intervention into emotional experiences, stress and coping, and health and illness; therapeutic implications of approaches to personality and personality growth; and applying concepts and theories in individual differences to society, e.g. in the workplace, education or training.

Critical Thinking in Educational and Developmental Psychology

You’ll consider some of the key debates in educational and developmental psychology and discuss how these inform current research and practice.

Core modules

Research Project in Educational / Developmental Psychology

A major piece of work whereby you will carry out independent research, the topic and design of which is decided upon in consultation with a supervisor. The project will demonstrate that you can conduct an extended research report, as well as show your understanding of the methodological skills and presentational techniques developed throughout the course.

Work Based Psychology Practice

In this module you’ll undertake a short work placement and consider how psychological theory and practice can be applied to work-based settings.

Optional modules

You'll undertake two route-specific modules, you can choose from either:

• Infant Development or
• Psychology, Educational Support Needs and Inclusion.

and either

• Social Development in Children and Adolescents or
• Language and Literacy Development.

As well as one optional optional module from a selection that may include:

Cyberpsychology

Study the impact of the Internet and new technologies on our social relationships and the ways we relate to each other, as well as more technical aspects of cyberpsychology and philosophical issues relating to how we do, might, or should interact within virtual environments.

Contesting Mental Illness: The Psychology of Distress 

This modules focuses on critiquing key assumptions behind mainstream psychiatry and exploring psychological and service-user led alternatives. Through taking this approach, you'll develop a psychological foundation for understanding mental health difficulties, along with developing important employability skills relevant to a career in clinical psychology and the helping professions.

Gender, Identity and Body Image

A social constructionist stance allows you to challenge the taken for granted â€کobviousness’ of our assumptions about a number of issues relating to gender, identity and body image.

Health Psychology of Chronic Illness

Health psychology is an interdisciplinary field, concerned with the application of psychological knowledge to health, illness and healthcare. Its primary purpose is to understand and improve the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. This module will introduce students to some of the core areas within the field, exploring key concepts used in the study of both healthy and ill populations. The module will cover contemporary psychological theories of health and illness from a number of perspectives, and will draw upon research that has used a variety of methodological approaches.

Psychopathology: Phenomenology, Assessment, Treatment and Current Issues

It has been estimated that mental illness accounts for a third of all illnesses in the UK, and a quarter of the population will be affected at some point in the lifespan. The overarching aim of this module is to develop students’ knowledge of mental disorders and topics relevant to clinical psychology. Specifically, this module aims to: provide students with comprehensive knowledge of psychological disorders in adults and psychological and developmental disorders in children; provide awareness about current clinical practice such as commonly adopted classification (DSM-V) and recommended treatments (NICE guidelines); develop students’ understanding of theory, research and current issues around clinical psychology and consider their impact; critically evaluate recent psychological research and scrutinise its application to contemporary clinical practice; and encourage consideration of multiple viewpoints and critically examine different approaches in the field.

Trauma in Children and Adolescents: The Impact on Health and the Role of Resilience

The aim of the module is to provide theoretical understanding of the impact of childhood trauma on children and adolescents, and to provide an understanding of the role and roots of resilience. The module seeks to provide students with knowledge about the signs and symptoms, behavioural patterns, and underlying psychological and biological changes associated with psychopathology after childhood and adolescent trauma.

Psychology of Religion

Why does religion exist? What function does it serve in society? What’s the difference between a cult and a religion? What is the difference between a psychotic hallucination and a religious vision? What is the role of religion and spirituality in everyday life? How might it contribute to our wellbeing? How might religious practices have something to offer society (e.g. mindfulness practice of Buddhism). These are the sorts of questions that will be explored in this module. Lectures will typically include: the historical and cultural background to religion and spirituality; the evolutionary, biological, social and cognitive explanations for religion; understanding cults and why people join them; the psychology of religious and spiritual experiences and practices.

Occupational Psychology

Occupational Psychology is concerned with the application of psychological knowledge for the understanding of individual behaviour in organisations and workplaces.

Mind Reading and Mind Control

Psychologists are often asked if they know what people are thinking. This module will explore the extent to which current methods in cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience allow us to read people’s minds, and even control what they are thinking. It will provide you with a critical and practical understanding of the modern developments that enable us to determine the inner workings of the mind.

Personality, Personality Disorder and Violence

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of personality by discussing the most prominent personality models such as the Five Factor Model, and more specific maladaptive trait models, such as the Dark Triad.

Psychology in the Criminal Justice System

The module will develop students' knowledge of the utilisation of psychology within the criminal justice system and investigative procedures.

Psychology of Criminal Behaviour

The module will develop students' knowledge of the utilisation of psychology to explain a range of criminal behaviours.

Black and Cultural Psychology

Qualitative III: Applied and Creative Approaches to Qualitative Research