Essential Skills in Applied Psychology develops a range of academic, personal and interpersonal skills designed to enhance your potential both within and beyond university. The focus is on harnessing key undergraduate skills such as academic reading, writing and critique, group working, finding and presenting information, time management, self-awareness and reflection, and applying them in the context of the degree subject. The module takes a holistic approach to applications of theory.

Introduction to Cognitive and Biological Psychology considers the processes underlying behaviour (such as perception, sensation and memory) and how human beings are embedded in their world (e.g. by way of their shared biology and learned knowledge). In this way, the module aims to equip you with a broad understanding of basic theories and concepts and a range of interrelated approaches towards the psychological study of human behaviour.

Introduction to Personality, Social and Developmental Psychology will familiarise you with the approaches and concepts central to the study of behaviour. The module explores the historical and theoretical concepts of personality and individual differences, social cognition and social and cognitive development.

Investigating Psychology 1 demonstrates the key approaches to research in cognitive, developmental, social, and biological psychology. You will develop your skills in experimental design, data analysis and data interpretation, and receive training, support and practice in the use of SPSS software to examine psychological research. The module will also enable you to prepare written research reports on studies conducted.

Investigating Psychology 2 demonstrates the key approaches to research in cognitive, developmental, social, and biological psychology. You will develop your skills in experimental design, data analysis and data interpretation, and receive training, support and practice in the use of SPSS software to examine psychological research. The module will also enable you to prepare written research reports on studies conducted.

Real World Psychology takes a hands-on approach to studying some of the core topics in psychology and introduces you to areas of everyday life where psychology plays a useful role, or where it can help to explain why certain behaviours occur. You will learn to relate your understanding of psychological theories, concepts and research methods to real-world situations (e.g. topical issues in the news) and engage with current research activities being conducted within the department.

Applying Psychology develops knowledge in key areas (occupational, health, forensic, educational, sports) enabling you to understand, discuss and critically evaluate research, both within a framework of psychological theory and in terms of practical implications. You will learn to apply knowledge in developing ideas for community initiatives based on psychological theory in an applied area of interest.

Biological Psychology studies the human nervous system, including its structure and functioning. There will be a particular focus upon the brain. You will learn in detail the processes by which messages are passed through the system and the way the brain interacts with the hormones of the endocrine system in order to preserve life. The methods by which the brain is commonly researched will also be explored in order to provide a basis for understanding much current research and theorising in psychology.

Cognitive Psychology will examine both classic and contemporary research that has led to the development of theories regarding how attention, perception and memory all function. The module will also examine how each of these components interact during everyday tasks. You will consider how thinking, language and emotion enable us to reason about, and interact meaningfully with, the external world, gaining an understanding of the processes used to communicate, comprehend, and use information and knowledge.

Developmental Psychology addresses the processes involved in key aspects of human development and their relevant applications in real world settings. It will focus mainly (though not exclusively) on development in childhood including areas such as cognition, memory, language, emotional, and social development. Emphasis will be placed on the evaluation of key theories and psychological research that have informed our understanding of development in these areas.

Research Methods and Data Analysis provides you with the skills necessary to design, execute and report your own research. A particular emphasis is placed on data analysis: quantitative techniques (analysis of variance and regression) and qualitative techniques (grounded theory and phenomenological analysis). These data analysis skills will be essential for carrying out dissertations and are also highly valued by employers.

Social Psychology reveals the extent to which social influences and interactions are pervasive in affecting individual behaviour, while also considering how the actions of an individual in turn affect other individuals and groups. You will develop an awareness of the relationship between person and situation and examine how this dynamic relationship both influences, and is crucial to, the understanding of behaviour.

Dissertation requires you to carry out a piece of research for which, with tutorial support, you have responsibility for designing, gathering data, analysing data, and reporting the findings. You will work independently and demonstrate a high degree of autonomy and initiative in managing your work.

Personality and Individual Differences influence all aspects of human behaviour. Knowledge and understanding of the nature of individual differences and the processes by which they influence our behaviours and motivations in everyday life is at the very essence of human psychology. Such knowledge is relevant in key disciplines such as clinical and forensic psychology, as well as to individuals generally in their efforts to understand what makes people ‘tick’. This module will explore and evaluate theories and research that have advanced our knowledge and understanding of this key area of psychology. It will develop your capacity for critical thinking, for active and independent learning, and for effective communication and teamwork.

Reflections and Future Directions considers the historical and conceptual issues in psychology from an informed perspective, using knowledge and understanding acquired throughout the degree. You will learn to acknowledge your own individual role as a prospective psychology graduate within a wider context, recognising and maximising the skills acquired throughout the programme, in preparation for future employment or further study.

Applying Psychology to Lifestyle Behaviour explores the role of psychology applied to the context of lifestyle. Specifically, the module considers the application of theory and evidence-based research to help you better understand, predict and change lifestyle-related behaviours. In addition this module will elucidate how psychological concepts are linked to both healthy and unhealthy lifestyles in the real-world.

Applied Psychopharmacology examines the mechanisms by which drugs, both legal and illegal, exact their effects once consumed. Examples of illegal drugs to be covered include cannabis, ecstasy (MDMA) and cocaine, whilst coverage of legal drugs will include alcohol and caffeine. Consideration will also be given to some common food ingredients such as polyphenols.

Clinical and Abnormal Psychology introduces you to the exciting world of clinical psychology and psychiatric disorders. The module will provide you with a thorough understanding of a variety of perspectives in psychology and how they apply to mental health. You will develop your understanding and assess the relative merits of the medical/clinical model (diagnosis and treatment) of specific disorders, which may include schizophrenia, personality disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders, bipolar disorders and cognitive disorders related to ageing and autistic spectrum disorders. Overall, the module will encourage you to critically analyse the medical model of mental health, as seen from historical, social, psychopharmacological (neuroscience/neuropsychological) and medical perspectives.

Cognitive Neuroscience explores an area that aims to understand the mechanisms of human thought by asking how mental processes such as perception, memory, language and emotion are implemented within the brain. An explosion of new methods dependent on computers and brain imaging has led to enormous progress in this field and allows an array of new problems to be tackled directly. This module provides you with an understanding of how research in cognitive neuroscience has informed our understanding of cognitive processes in the brain. You will discover how to describe and critically evaluate the experimental methods most frequently used by psychologists working in cognitive neuroscience and explore their relative suitability in a variety of domains.

Evolutionary Psychology explores adaptive influences on behaviour and equips you with an understanding of evolutionary science and the contributions of evolutionary psychology to our current understanding of the brain and behaviour. Most psychologists and psychology researchers believe that the neural mechanisms that underpin our psychological abilities and propensities are the product of evolution – of natural, kin, and sexual selection. Furthermore, the general principles of evolution can be applied not only at species level but also at an individual level in terms of how a person’s neural and functional processing evolves as a function of their environment. By studying evolutionary psychology, you will gain knowledge of the origins of behaviour that challenges traditional assumptions about humans, their minds, and their collective interaction. The module will empower your critical evaluation of personal, social and cultural issues in your future employment and everyday life.

Forensic Psychology: Eyewitnesses and Suspects examines the expanding field of forensic psychology. The aim is to help you understand human behaviour and its underlying thoughts, feelings and motivations, with particular reference to criminal behaviour. You will develop the expertise to assess evidence about human behaviour and garner a wide range of skills in relation to forensic investigation. You will be introduced to some of the skills that forensic psychologists use when investigating eyewitness reports and offenders and consider related theories and associated research evidence.

Foundations for Learning examines some of the key areas in early years education from a psychological perspective. The primary focus will be on communication and language development, physical education, and personal, social and emotional development. The module will critically evaluate how development in these areas may be enhanced via play, movement activities, music, song and drawing. The concept of school readiness will be critically evaluated, with particular reference to international comparisons in the development of pre-school foundation skills, as well as the longer term impact on subsequent academic attainments and socio-emotional development.

Learning to Thrive pulls together all the key aspects of multiple psychological approaches in pursuit of life opportunities. The module takes a 360 degree approach, including both blockers and enablers for personal development, from foundations in neuroplasticity to applications in positive psychology, with the aim of helping you to acquire the necessary self knowledge, psychological knowledge, and experiential learning required to thrive in the 21st century. Key topics include positive psychology, goal setting, understanding stress, 21st century skills, and self-actualisation. A further distinctive component of the module is the opportunity to undertake the first stage of the Zing Performance neurodevelopmental programme which will be provided free of charge. Students who complete further Zing Performance activities may be eligible for accreditation for personal neurodevelopment with Zing.

Mind, Brain and Behaviour: The Foundations of Psychological Explanation is concerned with psychological explanation in two contexts: first, in our everyday use of psychological concepts, and secondly, as it is informed by research in disciplines such as psychology, cognitive neuroscience, philosophy, linguistics and artificial intelligence.

Psychological Predictors of Learning and Achievement examines how psychological factors can influence, and are in turn influenced by, learning and achievement. The module will focus on the beliefs of students about themselves as learners (including individual perceptions of one’s own abilities and competencies), academic motivation, academic emotions (particularly a fear of failure) and the classroom environment.

Psychology and the Virtual World will examine psychological underpinnings and experiences associated with a range of different virtual environments. These include video gaming, internet use and social networking. There will be a particular focus on the application of recent psychological research and how it provides an insight into the technological experiences which comprise a substantial part of modern day life.

Psychology in the Courtroom specialises in the area of ‘applied’ forensic psychology and examines psychological underpinnings and experiences associated with a range of factors that influence decision making in the courtroom. These include jury decision making, expert witness testimony, witness credibility, defendant appearance and cross-examination techniques. Across the module, there will be particular focus on how psychological theory and research has aided our understanding of real-world issues in an applied context.

Psychology of Language provides you with the fundamental issues in the psychological study of language. The issues include language production and comprehension, first and second language acquisition on the oral and sign domains, language disorders, and various applied topics (such as embodiment, and language in the internet). The module also introduces research methods in psycholinguistics.

Psychology of Substance Misuse examines various aspects of substance misuse (including the misuse of alcohol) from a psychological perspective which will also be informed by other academic perspectives, such as those of brain science and sociology respectively. A broad range of psychological consequences of substance misuse, such as memory impairments, will be studied and the psychological interventions for substance misuse will be examined.

Research Technologies and Tools gives you practical experience of using research technologies commonly used within the discipline such as E-Prime (an experimental presentation software used for measuring reaction times), Biopac (a physiological arousal measurement tool) and diagnostic tools (such as the Wechsler Abbreviated Intelligence Scale). These skills will be useful for all students wishing to conduct further Postgraduate studies in Psychology, where an understanding of research technologies will be advantageous.

Social Neuroscience is a module focused on social interaction, recognising it as a critical aspect of day-to-day life, crucial to how we perceive each other, how we interpret behaviour and intentions, and then plan and react accordingly. It will explore the different processes and abilities that together make social interaction possible, as well as the impairments and deficits that can occur.

Special Educational Needs examines special educational needs (SEN) within the school system by providing an understanding of psychological research and its applicability to this area. The module will take into consideration the policies and strategies behind supporting SEN in school, with particular attention to autism and dyslexia. In addition, this module will explore both the history of SEN and the new direction it is taking.

Work Psychology develops your understanding of the application of psychology to people in terms of their lives at the workplace, their economic and work-relevant behaviour, and as participants in organisations. The module builds on knowledge acquired in earlier modules such as knowledge, skill, and decision making in cognitive psychology, individual differences in social psychology, and motivation. Many of the themes identified are explored in an applied context in this module.

PSY3147 Learning to Thrive (20 credits) added as an optional module in Year 3.

Please note, for the purposes of studying psychology, level 2 literacy and numeracy qualifications are not considered as equivalent to GCSE Grade C or Grade 4 in English Language and Mathematics.

PSY3146 Evolutionary Psychology (20 credits) added as an optional module in Year 3.