Social and Developmental Psychology via Distance Learning

Code School Level Credits Semesters
PSGY4065 Psychology 4 20 Full Year UK
Code
PSGY4065
School
Psychology
Level
4
Credits
20
Semesters
Full Year UK

Summary

This module will discuss the following Developmental Psychology topics:
•    Evolution of Mentalising and Theory of Mind
•    Ontogeny of Mentalising: Development of Theory of Mind in children 
•    Phylogeny: Do Apes have a Theory of Mind?
•    Mindblind: Autism Spectrum Disorder 
•    Language Acquisition
•    Reading and Spelling Development
•    Early Conceptions of the Physical World
•    Sensorimotor Development 
•    Learning from Others: Who to Trust 
•    Mental Health in Typical and Atypical Development 

This module will discuss the following Social Psychology topics:
•    Introduction to Social Psychology
•    Attitudes, Persuasive Communication and Attitude Change 
•    Social Cognition and Perceptions 
•    Motivations and Goals 
•    Prejudice and Discrimination 
•    Intergroup Behaviour 
•    Group Decision Making & Behaviour Change 
•    Social Influence
•    Obedience and Conformity
•    Culture

Target Students

Only available for students on the MSc Psychology Conversion by distance learning

Classes

Students will engage in 1 hour of online working group discussion per week. Within these working groups, students will explore topics presented during the weekly lecture more deeply. Group discussions will be monitored by teaching faculty and will help students develop a deeper understanding of the topics presented, allow students to apply new knowledge, and help develop professional communication skills. Total time on the module, including self study and revision is recommended to be 200hrs.

Assessment

Assessed in both autumn & spring semest

Educational Aims

To provide students with an understanding of the findings of, and theories derived from, experimental studies of social processes and human development. To encourage critical appraisal of models and experimental evidence. To encourage high-quality written communication skills.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an understanding of developmental psychology as an empirical discipline adopting an evidence-based and hypothesis-testing approach.

2. Demonstrate understanding of the broad application of developmental psychological theories to explain behavioural processes.

3. Demonstrate knowledge of research methods and paradigms that are used in the study of human development.

4. Demonstrate knowledge of historical origins of the study of developmental psychology.

5. Demonstrate understanding of theories of human development.

6. Demonstrate knowledge of experimental techniques that have been used for the study of human development.

7. Demonstrate understanding of the application of theories of human development to accommodate more general psychological processes (e.g. information processing, cognitive economy, representation of knowledge).

8. Provide a critical outlook with respect to the published empirical research and application of developmental psychology.

9. Demonstrate an understanding of social psychology as an empirical discipline adopting an evidence-based and hypothesis-testing approach.

10. Demonstrate understanding of the broad application of social psychological theories to explain behavioural processes.

11. Demonstrate knowledge of research methods and paradigms that are used in the study of social psychology.

12. Demonstrate knowledge of historical origins of the study of social psychology.

13. Demonstrate understanding of theories of social processes.

14. Demonstrate knowledge of experimental techniques that have been used for the study of social processes.

15. Demonstrate understanding of the application of theories of social processes to accommodate more general psychological processes (e.g. information processing, cognitive economy, representation of knowledge).

16. Provide a critical outlook with respect to the published empirical research and application of social processes.

Conveners

View in Curriculum Catalogue
Last updated 07/01/2025.