Semester One Full Modules (20 CATS)

PSY3096: Typical and Atypical Literacy Development

This module will examine current and historical perspectives of typical and atypical literacy development. The development of reading ability from early language perception to proficient text processing will be examined. We will discuss approaches to the acquisition of literacy, and the theoretical underpinnings of developmental dyslexia and specific language impairment (SLI).

This module will be of interest to a wide range of psychology students, but will be of particular relevance to those intending to pursue a career related to education or to postgraduate research and study.

Assessment: 100% coursework

PSY3100: Psychologists at work: Insights into Graduate Employment

Students taking this module will spend 15/20 days in a workplace where they will complete graduate level work under supervision. They will be required to keep a reflective diary of their experiences in the work place and to complete a portfolio describing the organisation for which they have worked, how they have been able to apply the skills they acquired on their degree, what skills they have developed or acquired as part of the placement, the skillset required to obtain a job in the organisation, and what they have learned from the feedback they received from their employer. At the end of the semester students will present a poster to staff, employers and prospective students. This module is only available to students on the BSc Psychology degree programme and entry to the module is by application only. The deadline for applications to study this module is 7^th August 2020, you can find details of this year’s placement opportunities and the application process here. Further information on previous work placements can be found at: https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/psy/PsychologyatWork/WorkPlacements/.

Assessment: 100% Coursework

PSY3118: Using Nudges to Change Behaviour

This module will introduce students to recent theory and practice relating to behaviour change. Specifically, it will consider the psychology of “nudges”, small changes to choice architectures which encourage certain desirable behaviours without making those behaviours mandatory. Having addressed important theoretical background, the module will consider nudges in a variety of contexts including health, finance and pro-social behaviour. The module will conclude with a consideration of implications of nudge theory for policy and the very recent debate about the ethics of nudges. The module will be assessed via group reports proposing, analysing and justifying novel nudges for particular applied contexts.

Assessment: 100% coursework

PSY3124: Introduction to Political Psychology

This course aims to introduce you to the field of political psychology. The module will cover different core areas of political psychology such as race and racism, social movements, political extremism, polarization and youth and political violence. Throughout the course, you are expected to develop an understanding of the basic psychological processes underlying our political thoughts and behaviours and apply this information to real life situations.

Assessment: 100% Coursework

PSY3130: Depression and Anxiety

Of the many emotional difficulties that human beings can face, depression and anxiety are two of the most common. Prevalence estimates indicate that about 50% of humans will experience at least one of them over the course of our lives. It is unfortunate that significant misunderstanding and stigma are attached to these experiences, even in those who are involved in healthcare, as this is unlikely to be helpful and may even enhance associated suffering.

Overall, this course will involve an in depth examination of these two common emotional experiences across a range of areas, including clarity in their definition, overview of how they are assessed and diagnosed, and treatment options. Throughout this semester, a scientific and evidence-based approach will be utilized and contrasted with “pop” psychology or other less rigorous, and less helpful, methods.

Assessment: 100% Coursework

Semester Two Full Modules (20 CATS)

PSY3098: Ageing: Mind, Brain and Behaviour

This module covers the way key psychological processes change over the lifespan. We will discuss questions including: Can we live forever? Is ageing a disease, and can it be treated like a disease? Are older people wiser? Is the lifespan genetically determined? In a series of lectures, we will cover how healthy ageing affects brain structure and function, memory, executive function, emotion and mobility. We will also cover the key pathologies that come with age including dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Finally, we will talk about the extent to which genetic factors affect ageing.

Assessment: 60% Exam; 40% coursework

PSY3117: Psychology of Gender

This course introduces students to the psychological literature on gender. Course topics include the causes of sex differences and similarities, the influence of gender roles on life experiences including those related to workplace/leadership, parenting, sexuality, violence and aggression, as well as the relationship between gender and health and well-being.

Assessment: 100% Coursework

PSY3122: An Introduction to Clinical Health Psychology

This module is an introduction to Clinical Health Psychology. The module will comprise three broad topics which will be divided across the Spring Semester:

1. Introduction to Clinical Health theories and research methods
2. Coping with long-term illness

1. Public health and health promoting strategies
2. Introduction to Animal Behaviour and Evolution

Clinical Health Psychology is a broad discipline which focuses on exploring the psychological and social barriers to staying healthy e.g. preventing poor health and disease. It also focuses on the psychological impact of living with long-term illnesses like Cancer, and exploring intervention strategies. While studying this module, you will acquire knowledge and understanding of the basic theories and methods relevant to Clinical Health research and their applications in research and health practice. You will critically assess the use of different theories in explaining complex health behaviour and demonstrate an ability to relate Clinical Health theory to intervention design.

Assessment: 30% Coursework 70% Exam

PSY3123: Animal Behaviour and Evolution

Using the principles of evolution, the aim of this module is to provide students with an insight into human and non-human animal behaviour. We will explore topics like social behaviour, mate choice, parental care, and how the principles of evolution shaped these in a variety of species that we see today. For example, what do animals and humans look for in a mate? Why are some people altruistic and others more selfish? Why are female mammals usually the ones that provide more parental care? We will also examine the domestication process and how it changed not only animals, but humans too. We will then look at similarities and differences in cognitive abilities between humans and animals and explore a number of questions. For example, are humans the only animal capable of producing language? Can other animals use tools? Do animals have self-awareness?

The lecture structure is as follows;

1. Social behaviour
2. Domestication

1. Sexual selection and human mate choice
2. Parental Investment

1. Introduction to Animal Cognition
2. Language

1. Numerosity
2. Self-awareness and theory of mind

1. Using tools

Assessment: 40% Coursework 60% Exam

PSY3131: Forensic Psychology and Crime

This module will introduce students to key topics in Forensic Psychology including theories of offending, the development of offending, the rehabilitation of offenders, the criminal justice system, criminal statistics, policing, the public's response to crime, and the forensic psychology subfield of victimology (the impact of crime on victims and those responding to crime and criminals). In particular, this module will focus on (1) fundamental applications of psychology, as a science, for understanding important forensic issues, and (2) psychology as applied to the criminal justice system both from the perspective of the offender and the victim.

Assessment: 50% Exam 50% Coursework

Double module across both semesters (40 CATS)

PSY3114: Psychology Thesis

Thesis work allows each student to perform real research including: origination of idea, literature review, research design, data collection and analysis and report writing. It involves a substantive piece of research conducted by the student (working in pairs or small groups to collect data) which is presented in the form of an individually written thesis. Students work under the supervision of an individual member of academic staff.

Another element of this module is to assess the breadth and depth of the student’s knowledge of psychology in general, and their capacity to reflect and integrate across theoretical perspectives via a general paper.  It also helps students to focus on careers planning, their individual achievements and skills portfolio.

Thesis supervisor preferences are submitted towards the end of the summer. You will receive an email in August with full details of the range of supervision areas available for 2020-21 and the process for making your preferences.

Assessment: 80% Coursework (Thesis); 20% Exam (General Paper)