Psychology (Forensic 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 (Forensic Psychology)

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

Study the key debates in the psychology of forensic psychology and discuss how these inform current research and practice.

Core modules

Research Project in Forensic 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:

• Criminal Psychology

and either

• Psychopathology and Offending Behaviour or
• The Psychology of Sex Offending.

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

Biological Perspectives on Psychiatric Disorders

This module examines biological accounts of psychiatric disorders, concentrating particularly on how biology links to cognitive deficits that are symptomatic of a disorder.

Community, Health and Applied Social Psychology

This module aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how to apply social psychological theory and research to marginalised and / or disempowered communities and â€کreal world’ social issues. You will be prompted to use a community psychology approach to understanding health and well-being so that they do not solely focus on the individual or on society in general, but will seek to understand the relationship between the two. Students will be equipped with the skills to work with  individuals, cohesive community groups, and marginalised / disempowered sections within society and will work together to explore methods of how to promote health and well-being within these groups. Topics covered may include: social determinants of health; tackling health inequalities; stress, coping and mental health; social identity and mental health recovery; identity development over the life-span; dealing with prejudice and cultivating an inclusive approach to addressing social problems.

Evolutionary Psychology

Evolutionary psychology examines to what extent human behaviour can be explained by our evolutionary past and covers topics ranging from cooperation, cheating, comparative psychology and the evolution of the social brain.

Psychology, Educational Needs and Inclusion

Develop your own specialist understanding of a particular area of educational support needs, while encouraging critical reflection on the role that psychology can and does play in that particular area.

Statistics (three): Advanced Statistics for Research

Study advanced methods of statistical data analysis the kind necessary to study complex real-world data set. You will be introduced to sophisticated methods of statistical computing and deal with real world data.

Psychology of the Paranormal

The aim of this module is to introduce and provide a background to a variety of existential experiences, variously termed 'psychical’, 'spiritual', â€کparanormal’, 'anomalous', or â€کexceptional’ experiences, or 'aberrant perceptions or beliefs' by the research and health professionals active in this field. You will define the experiences and explore the psychological models and methods that have been postulated to explain them, critically appraise the various approaches and perspectives as applied to a core set of contemporary topics that distinguish this field of work.

Psychology of the Family

The aim of this module is to explore the psychology of the family, including their composition and context. The module will consider the various ways in which psychologists study families, including a critical evaluation of the methods used. The module curriculum will take a student-led approach, using your previous knowledge and understanding to design the content within the parameters set by the teaching team. This approach will encourage you, as a group, to be responsible and directive about your own learning. The focus of this module is on the family as a unit, it is not a developmental psychology module.

Person Perception

Human faces, voices and bodies are information rich, biologically and socially significant objects. The primary aim of this module is to explore how we detect, process and perceive them, or how we fail to do so. The module will consider how we represent and process human faces, voices and bodies on their own and together, drawing on real world (e.g. CCTV, Passport control) and laboratory based research and applications. The module will draw on elements of cognitive and biological psychology, social and developmental psychology, neuroscience and evolutionary psychology.

The Psychology of Sleep

This modules seeks to provide a comprehensive treatment of sleep, from its underpinning physiological science to the practice of how sleep might be improved. You'll gain a critical and practical understanding of key issues in the psychology of sleep through: providing a comprehensive exploration of the phenomenon of sleep. Developing students understanding of the major areas and issues in the field, with a specific focus on the biological basis of sleep, effects of sleep loss, susceptibility to the effects of sleep loss, sleep problems and disorders and their amelioration. Providing students with the opportunity to see how sleep knowledge can be critically integrated into other areas of psychological expertise. Along with the chance to understand your own sleep better.

The Psychology of Ageing and Neurodegenerative Disease

The module will focus on the challenges faced by individuals and society as a result of healthy ageing and as a result of neurodegenerative diseases (with an emphasis on age-related disease such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease).The module covers degeneration-based changes in individuals from a cognitive and social perspective. These include: Healthy Ageing, Dementia and the impact of other neurodegenerative diseases not directly associated to ageing on cognitive function and social functioning.

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.

Motivation in Education

Politics, Ideology and Moral Psychology

The Psychology of Mindfulness

The module aims to give students a critical understanding of various approaches to meta-analysis.

The Psychology of Social Realities

The aims of this module are for students to critically engage with current Psychological evidence on social power, social injustice, and social realities.