PY0PSY-Psychology

Module Provider: Psychology
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:F
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Richard Carciofo
Email: r.g.carciofo@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The aim of the module is to introduce students to the scope and nature of psychology as a science. The emphasis will be on acquiring knowledge and understanding thereby developing students’ transferable skills of analysis, evaluation and critical thinking.

The content of the module offers a range of core topics with a strong focus on the scientific method and research practice. 

Aims:

The aim of the module is to introduce students to the scope and nature of psychology as a science. The emphasis will be on acquiring knowledge and understanding thereby developing students’ transferable skills of analysis, evaluation and critical thinking.

The content of the module offers a range of core topics with a strong focus on the scientific method and research practice. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module students will be able to show a knowledge and critical understanding of concepts and theories and studies in relation but not limited to the following areas. Students will be able to:

1. Explain the functions of the nervous and endocrine systems, demonstrate an understanding of the central and peripheral nervous systems, with particular emphasis on the brain, its structure and function, and consider neurological disorders.


2. Demonstrate knowledge of one area within Cognitive Psychology (memory) including having a critical understanding of two models of memory: the multi-store model and the working memory model, be able to describe concepts of encoding, capacity and duration, and outline the strengths and weaknesses of these models. Be able to apply the knowledge of memory to reconstructive memory (eyewitness testimony).


3. Evidence knowledge of early social development including explanations of attachment, including learning theory, Bowlby. Types of attachment, use of ‘Strange Situation’ in attachment research. Cultural variations in attachment. Disruption of attachment, failure to form attachment (privation) and institutional care.


4. Explain some of the factors and theories involved in social influence, that help explain why people conform to others.


5. Demonstrate an understanding of the effects of stress on the immune system, including the body’s response to stressors, including the pituitary-adrenal system and the sympathomedullary pathway. #Consider stress related illness and the immune system and examine sources of stress, such as life changes and daily hassles, and personality factors in stress.


6. Demonstrate knowledge of factors influencing attitudes to food and eating behaviour, (such as cultural influences, mood, health). Neural mechanisms involved in controlling eating behaviour, evolutionary explanations of food preference.  Be able to explain and evaluate psychological and biological explanations for eating disorders (anorexia, obesity).


7. Understand problems associated with classification and diagnosis of mental disorders such as phobia, obsessive compulsive disorder, major depression and schizophrenia. Students will also explore multiple perspectives of mental disorders such as the biological and psychological explanations.


8. Students will be expected to demonstrate a knowledge and practical understanding of research methods which includes the basics of the scientific method, research hypothesis, operationalization of variables, research ethics, statistical analysis, and research design such as experiment (laboratory, field, natural), questionnaires and case studies. Students must be aware of the BPS Code of Ethics. In addition, students will need to show a practical understanding of data analysis, presentation,and interpretation, including the presentation of both descriptive and inferential statistics. They will be able to show an understanding of measures of central tendency and measures of dispersion, and analysis of data.

Additional outcomes:

The module also aims to encourage the development of scientific writing.  Students will also develop their IT skills in preparing their work and in searching sources for information.

Outline content:

The module is divided into three topics which are taught consecutively throughout the year: Topics in Psychology, biological Psychology, Research methods and Statistics. The scope of each topic are listed in the Learning Outcomes. 

Global context:
Be able to understand cultural differences on the topics being studied.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	44	44	12
Seminars	11	11	3
Guided independent study:	125	125	25
Total hours by term	180	180	40
Total hours for module	400

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	50
Written assignment including essay	10
Report	20
Class test administered by School	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

One 3 hours end of year summer exam (50%) 

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

• 2 end of term tests (1.5 hours each exam) - 10% for each test


• One psychology assessment  – (10%)


• One research report – (20%)

Formative assessment methods:

Exercises, group work, quizzes, and statistics exercises.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres 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 (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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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:

Reassessment in August/September 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

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: 6 September 2023