Module: PSY5105-20 Cognitive and Developmental Psychology (BPS)

Level: 5

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Gerry Markopoulos

Module Tutor Contact Details: g.markopoulos@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

Cognitive psychology and developmental psychology encompass two of the core areas of the psychology curriculum required for BPS accreditation.

This module will examine core areas in cognitive psychology such as attention, language, memory, and perception; and core areas in developmental psychology within the context of infant, child and adult development.

This module aims to provide a grounding in the core ideas and issues in cognitive psychology and developmental psychology as well as exploring the ways in which these two areas of psychology seek to explain shared topics of interest.

2.Outline syllabus

The module will examine core areas of cognitive and developmental psychology. Topics may include:

• The history and development of core ideas in cognitive psychology and developmental psychology

• Research methods and ethical considerations relevant to these areas

• Development across the lifespan, including prenatal development.

• Critical reviews of theories related to social, cognitive, emotional, and moral development, including the development of identity, and consideration of individual differences

• The role of play in development

• Language acquisition and the complexities of the role of language in thinking.

• Attention, including competing theories of auditory attention

• Memory

• Problem-solving

Finally, the ways in which these two areas of psychology seek to explain common processes, behaviours, and abilities will be considered.

3.Teaching and learning activities

The module will consist of two 1 hour weekly lectures and a 2 hour weekly seminar or practical class. Lectures will introduce the core topics and provide a framework to the module. These will be supported by seminars which will be a mix of tutor and student led discussions, practical work and presentations. These flexible sessions will allow in-depth exploration of the topics introduced in the lectures, further discussion and the opportunity to gain experience and develop materials for the assessments.

The assessments (see below for further details) will allow you to develop your skills in understanding and evaluating scientific information, and allow you to gain an understanding of critical appraisal of scientific research.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Coursework

• Description: Essay (2500 words)

• % Weighting: 50%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Exam

• Description: Seen exam

• % Weighting: 50%