Course Catalogue

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The aim is to introduce students to core material in the area of social, developmental psychology, mental health and wellbeing, inclusive of individual differences, and research methods including data analysis using the programming language R.

One-hour lectures weekly on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. One hour laboratories every week throughout term.

Successful completion of PSYCH1001

Coursework (60%) AND Degree Exam (40%). The degree exam will last 1 hour and take place at the completion of the course in April/May.

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

It is not possible to provide reassessment opportunities for components that require participation in a lab and groupwork such as a group project. In such cases, where there is accepted good cause, the assessment would be set aside. 

The aim is to introduce students to core material in the area of social, developmental psychology, mental health and wellbeing, inclusive of individual differences, and research methods broadly defined. Labs will include the continuation of data wrangling, visualisation, as well as the introduction of probability and data analysis using the programming language R. The course also continues to develop skills of professional standards in the communication of research critical evaluation and self-reflection on skill development. Communication skills are also encouraged by means of regular practical classes and group discussions/presentations. Groupwork is a core part of the course and students will work in small teams during practical labs.

Although the lectures form part of a programme which eventually leads to an Honours degree with the Graduate Basis of registration for the BPS, together with Psychology 1A, it would also serve as an introduction to the field for students taking the course as part of the general degree or as an outside subject in another honours programme.

By the end of this course students will be able to :

■ Describe, explain, and evaluate a broad range of theories and research findings in Psychology which will introduce students to Social Psychology; Human Development; Mental Health and Wellbeing (inclusive of Individual Differences); and Research Methods.

■ Discuss and evaluate the methodological bases for psychological research.

■ Explain the nature of current debates in Psychology.

■ Practice and understand data wrangling, visualisation and probability using the programming language R.

■ Report research based critical evaluation adopting professional standards.

■ Conduct and write-up a group research project proposal and disseminate the descriptive results. 

■ Summarise and critically evaluate psychological theories and research findings in an examination.

■ Operate within a team to complete in-class exercises addressing psychological issues using theoretical knowledge and practical research skills relevant in psychological research

■ Engage in groupwork on a semester-long project involving topic exploration, research question conceptualisation, methods description, and data wrangling/analysis.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.