Module: PSY4001-20 Introduction to Developmental and Social Psychology

Level: 4

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Joseph Walsh

Module Tutor Contact Details: j.walsh2@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

This module aims to provide you with a comprehensive introduction to Developmental and Social psychology as defined by the BPS, and will include sessions on employability.

The module’s objectives are:

1. To introduce you to the Developmental and Social components of psychology as described by the British Psychological Society.

2. To place Developmental and Social psychology within the wider context of Psychology and its role as a science of behaviour.

3. To provide a suitable basis for progression to modules in year two.

4. To provide and develop a perspective of the workplace and how aspects of psychology are factors in your employability.

2. Outline syllabus

The syllabus will cover 5 Subtopics as follows.

Introduction, historical and conceptual perspectives

Developmental Psychology

Social Psychology

Individual Differences and Abnormal psychology

Being a psychologist – employability

Introduction: The course will be outlined and placed in context.

Historical and Conceptual Perspectives: Developmental and Social Psychology will be considered within the history of psychology, philosophical foundations, conceptual and historical paradigms and models, key developments, through to modern psychology.

Developmental Psychology: Major issues and methods in developmental psychology are introduced. Cognitive, social and emotional aspects of pre-natal development, infancy and childhood are described and discussed here.

Social Psychology: This component of the course is concerned with social thinking and behaviour. Here aspects of attribution theory, social influence, intergroup dynamics and interpersonal dynamics are introduced and discussed.

Individual Differences and Abnormality: The study of personality is described and discussed here. This part of the module goes on to describe and discuss different aspects of health psychology, including psychological disorders and their treatment.

Applying your knowledge – employability: How psychology features in the world of employment is central to this part of the module. Different perspectives on psychology will be discussed including how it appears in the media and popular culture. The role of psychologists in our modern world and how courses like this one relate to that role will form the basis for these sessions. Transition from university level to scientist will be described, as will the role of professional research psychologists. Within this context ethical behaviour will form part of our discussions. Finally, aspects of a psychology based degree that will be transferable to employability in non-psychology focused professions will be described and discussed.

3. Teaching and learning activities

Teaching: Two hours of lectures and a two hour seminar per week each week

Learning: Through lectures and seminar activities. Materials used in the formal sessions will be provided on Minerva for revision where they will be augmented by additional material where appropriate. Seminar sessions will include staff and student presentations, large and both large and small group work, aimed at discussing material presented in the lectures and in the reading for that week (as identified in the handbook).

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: CW
• Description: Group Presentation
• % Weighting: 50%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: CW
• Description: Essay 2000 words
• % Weighting: 50%