Psychology (Conversion course)

This module provides students with the opportunity to undertake an in-depth and independent empirical study within the field of psychology. Students will apply theoretical and methodological knowledge and research skills gained across the programme. They will be required to resolve the complex conceptual, methodological and practical problems that are often encountered by psychological researchers. Completion of a dissertation will demonstrate their comprehensive understanding of all stages in the research process, an ability to deal with complex issues creatively and systematically, and to communicate information in a clear and appropriate fashion. The module will prepare students to undertake future psychological research through the practical experience that they have gained under the supervision of a member of academic staff.  

This module aims to provide students with opportunities to develop and enhance a range of skills and competencies expected of a psychology postgraduate. The focus is on the application of psychology and related skills in different career contexts. Students will build on their subject specific and research methods knowledge from other modules.  In personal tutorials and related group sessions, students will gain an awareness of the Psychology-related career pathways available to them upon graduation and will be helped to evolve their career goals and aspired professional identities.

This module develops students’ quantitative and qualitative psychological research skills. We will cover quantitative and qualitative research designs (e.g., correlational, between or within-subjects) and data collection methods (e.g. interviews, vignettes, story completion tasks, surveys and experiments). Students will learn about quantitative analytical methods (e.g., correlations, t-tests, ANOVA, regression and power analysis) and qualitative analytical methods (e.g., thematic analysis, interpretative phenomenological analysis, discourse analysis). The module will cover the conceptual and historical development of research methods and the theoretical perspectives underpinning quantitative and qualitative psychological research. Students will acquire research skills (collecting and analysing data), critical skills (e.g. evaluating research and methods), and communication skills (e.g., writing reports and research results). Students will gain further understanding of statistical software (e.g., SPSS) and a broader awareness of ethical issues relating to quantitative and qualitative psychological research.

This module explores contemporary theories and applications of developmental and social psychology. Students will be introduced to the major historical and contemporary theoretical perspectives on child and adolescent development, as well as key conceptual and historical debates in social psychology. For developmental psychology, key empirical studies, applied issues, and developmental diversity will be critically examined in areas such as attachment, social relations, language, and cognitive development. Students will gain critical understanding and practical experience of observational research methods with child participants. For social psychology, key topics such as identity, attitudes, prejudice, stereotyping, attribution theory, and leadership will be covered, as well as critical approaches to social psychology and traditions emerging from these, such as social constructionism. Across both developmental and social psychology, the influence of diverse sociocultural environments will be considered, as well as the importance of cultural context upon experience and behaviour.

This module provides students with a broad overview of fundamental topics in key areas of psychology: biology, cognition, and individual differences. Topics related to biological processes include typical and atypical neuropsychology, neuroscience, and behavioural genetics. Topics related to cognition include sensation and perception, attention, language, learning, memory, problem solving, and consciousness. Topics related to individual differences include personality, intelligence, and psychometric test development. Conceptual and historical issues relevant to biological, cognitive, and individual differences psychology are also covered. Students will gain critical understanding and practical experience of research methods used by psychologists working in biological, cognitive, and individual differences topics.