PY1IP2-Introduction to Psychology 2

Module Provider: Psychology
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: For non-Psychology students only
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: PY1PR Psychological Research or PY1CG2 Cognition and Learning for Consumer Behaviour students or PY1IP3 Introduction to Psychology for Consumer Behaviour and Marketing students or PY1PR Psychological Research
Current from: 2019/0

Module Convenor: Dr Anthony Haffey

Email: anthony.haffey@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the field of psychology, with particular emphasis on cognitive psychology and neuroscience approaches. While the module follows on from PY1IP1, it can also be taken as a stand-alone module. Through the lectures and recommended reading, students will learn about key psychology theories, and will be able to describe and evaluate these theories and their research evidence in an historical and contemporary context.

Aims:
The aim of this module is to introduce students to the field of psychology, with particular emphasis on cognitive psychology and neuroscience approaches. While the module follows on from PY1IP1, it can also be taken as a stand-alone module. Through the lectures and recommended reading, students will learn about key psychology theories, and will be able to describe and evaluate these theories and their research evidence in an historical and contemporary context.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the conclusion of this module, a student will be expected to be able to:
a) be able to demonstrate knowledge of theoretical approaches and key evidence in some areas of Psychology
b) use their knowledge of research design principles to evaluate empirical studies
c) begin to critically evaluate theoretical explanations of human behaviour

Additional outcomes:
Students will begin to consider the role that psychological research plays in the world around them, and the contribution it makes to contemporary society.

Outline content:
PY1IP2 comprises 10 50-minute lectures in which key approaches to psychological questions will be introduced. Examples of topics that might be introduced include research methods, cognitive psychology, neuroscience, perception and applied psychology. Relevant theory and research evidence will be described and evaluated. Weekly multiple-choice questions plus an end-of-module assessment will enable students to gauge their knowledge and understanding of the topics.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module is taught via 10 50-minute lectures, recommended reading and an online assessment. Teaching methods include the following:
(a) Lectures that encourage student participation
(b) Recommended reading from texts
(c) Weekly multiple-choice questions to support learning

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		10
Guided independent study:		90
Total hours by term		100
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	75
Set exercise	25

Summative assessment- Examinations:
1 hour

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
This module is examined by a 1 hour exam in Summer Term, using multiple-choice and short-answer questions. Students are also assessed on the breadth of material covered in the module by weekly set exercises.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;

where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:
Students will take a re-sit paper in August / September with a maximum score available of 40.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books: Holt, N., Bremner, A., Sutherland, E., Vliek, M., Passer, M. &Smith, R. (2015). Pychology: The science of mind and behaviour (3rd Ed). McGraw Hill: London, UK. ISBN: 9780077169848. Costs £35.99 on publisher's website (correct March 2016)
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 8 April 2019