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Introduction to Social Psychology

Overview

  • Credit value: 15 credits at Level 4
  • Convenor: Professor Anne Miles
  • Assessment: a 1000-word article summary assignment (50%) and one-hour examination (50%)

    Module description

    This course introduces you to developmental and social psychology focusing on humans as social animals, and taking into account cultural perspectives on what it is to be a child, an adult and the member of various groups.

    Indicative module content

    • Research methods in developmental psychology
    • Introduction to brain development
    • Introduction to cognitive development (Piaget; Vygotsky etc)
    • Introduction to personality from the perspective of developmental psychology (the emergence of traits; reciprocal determinism etc)
    • Introduction to social development (attachment; Erikson etc)
    • Cultural perspectives on developmental psychology
    • Research methods in social psychology
    • Groups and intergroup dynamics
    • Interpersonal communication
    • Cultural perspectives on social psychology

    Learning objectives

    By the end of this module, you will be able to:

    • outline the research methods particularly prevalent within developmental and social psychology, highlighting their strengths and limitations including reference to ethical issues where pertinent
    • provide a brief overview and critique of main psychological theories relevant to each of the topics studied
    • highlight the way in which cultural psychology might contribute to our understanding of topics within developmental and social psychology
    • offer valid examples of the ways in which theory in the areas studied might inform our understanding of practical problems in the ‘real’ world
    • write academic essays to a standard commensurate with your level of study under both timed and non-timed conditions, and give an accurate account of your strengths and priorities for development.