Module Code:

PS112

Module Name:

Psychology in Context

Module Credits (CATS):

24 CATS Psychology

30 CATS Philosophy with Psychology

30 CATS Psychology & GSD

Module Convener

Jesse Preston

Module Teachers

Jesse Preston, Hester Duffy, Michelle Gummermum, Elizabeth Maylor.

Module Aims

This module will introduce the history of psychology and core topics in developmental, social and cognitive psychology. Previous knowledge of psychology will not be assumed. The module covers 4 key areas of psychology, developing basic knowledge in each. Taken together, PS111 Brain and Behaviour and PS112 Psychology in Context provide a general introduction to Psychology designed to support work in the second and third years of the Psychology Honours Degrees.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• be familiar with and able to discuss some of the classic studies in the areas of psychology set out above;

• have a critical appreciation of some of the main concepts and theories in each of the areas;

• locate modern psychology in a wider intellectual and historical context;

• understand the fundamentals of qualitative and observational research methods in psychology;

• understand the parts played by developmental psychology and the study of memory in psychology as a whole; and

• be able to take a historical perspective on psychology as a science.

Assessed by:

Assessments & exam

Module Work Load

Module Length

24 weeks

Lectures

One lecture per week

Seminars

One seminar every second week

Attendance

Attendance at lectures and seminars is compulsory

Module Assessment

Assessed work:

Assessments

4 sections worth 8% each (24 CAT)

4 sections worth 5% each (30 CAT)

32% (24 CAT)

Assessed work: Additional written assignment (for 30 CAT student only)

20% (30 CAT)

Exam:

24 CAT

30 CAT

68%

60%

Module Programme

The class covers four different subjects that represent a sample of research and theoretical topics in psychology. 1) History of Psychology; 2) Developmental Psychology, 3) Social Psychology, and 4) Psychology of Ageing and Memory.

Psychology in Context is part of a general introduction to Psychology designed as a foundation for further learning in second and third years of the Psychology Honours Degrees.

Module Reading List

Gleitman, H., Gross, J., & Reisberg, D.(2010). Psychology (8th ed.). New York: W.W. Norton & Co. Kowalski, R., & Westen, D. (2011). Psychology (6th ed.). Hoboken, N. J., USA: Wiley. Martin, N. G., Carlson, N.R., & Buskist, W. (2013). Psychology (5th ed.). Allyn & Bacon. Nolen-Hoeksema, S., Fredrickson, B. L., Loftus, G. R., & Wagenaar, W. A. (2009). Atkinson & Hilgard's introduction to psychology (15th ed.). London: Wadsworth.