Module: PSY4010-20 Introduction to Psychology (BPS)

Level: 4

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Prof Pete Etchells

Module Tutor Contact Details: p.etchells@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

This module aims to provide students with a broad and comprehensive introduction to the study of psychology, including the historical and philosophical context, the modern major fields of research as defined by the BPS, as well as the key contemporary issues that the discipline faces. The module covers the core key principles of psychology in order to bring all students, regardless of background, up to the same level of competency by the end of the semester. Lectures cover the theoretical aspects of the discipline, while seminars aim to introduce the practical application of psychology to critically examine its scientific foundation, and consider ways to improve the discipline.

The module’s objectives are:

1. To introduce students to core theoretical concepts in Biological, Cognitive, Developmental and Social Psychology as described by the British Psychological Society.

2. To critically consider contemporary issues in psychology, and place core areas of research within the wider context of psychology and its role as a science of behaviour.

3. To provide a suitable basis for progression to modules at Level 5.

4. To provide and develop confidence and ability to apply psychological theory to applied and practical settings.

2. Outline syllabus:

The module will cover the following six topics:

1. Introduction to psychology as a scientific discipline, including historical, philosophical and conceptual perspectives

2. Biological Psychology

3. Cognitive Psychology

4. Developmental Psychology

5. Social Psychology

6. Contemporary issues and research methodologies

Introduction: The history of psychology, its philosophical foundations, conceptual and historical paradigms and models will be introduced, followed by key developments in modern psychology.

Biological Psychology: This component of the module introduces the key features of the central and peripheral nervous systems, and focuses on the structure and function of the brain, key theories linking neuroanatomy to behaviour, and major issues and methods in neuroscientific research.

Cognitive Psychology: This component introduces students to the scientific study of the mind, and focuses on key theoretical concepts covering perception, attention, learning and memory. Contemporary research methods in cognitive psychology will be considered, and how they are increasingly being integrated with neuroscience to further our understanding of the link between mind and brain.

Developmental Psychology: Here, major issues and methods in developmental psychology are introduced and discussed, including the cognitive, social and emotional aspects of pre-natal development, development during infancy and progression through childhood.

Social Psychology: This component of the module is concerned with social thinking and behaviour. Here, aspects of key social psychological theories, for example social influence, intergroup and interpersonal dynamics are introduced and discussed.

Contemporary issues: Here, students will be introduced to some of the key issues currently facing psychology as a scientific discipline, and consider some of the solutions that have been proposed. Pre-registration, open science and replicability will be introduced as core theoretical and practical concepts that need to be integrated with current research methodologies.

3. Teaching and learning activities:

Teaching: Two hours of lectures, a one-hour seminar and one-hour tutorial per week.

Learning: Through lectures and seminar activities. Materials used in the formal sessions will be provided on Minerva for revision, and will be augmented by additional reading, videos and other material where appropriate. Seminar sessions will include staff and student presentations, both large and small group work, all aimed at discussing material presented in the lectures and in the reading for that week (as identified in the handbook). In addition, students will be directed to a departmental podcast where staff discuss key issues and debates which relate to core content.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Presentation

• Description: Group Presentation 2000 words equivalent

• % Weighting: 50%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Structured Workbook (2000 words)

• % Weighting: 50%