Developmental Psychology

Assessment: in-class test at the end of the Autumn term (1.5 hours)
This module will build upon students? prior learning at HE1 level, focusing upon one of the two major areas of psychological research and practice (Developmental Psychology and Social Psychology). It aims to provide a stimulating context and responsive environment in which students can gain a broad appreciation of research and theory in these two fields, and develop their intellectual skills through independent and collaborative learning experiences.
In accomplishing this, it will seek to address a number of module-specific and programme aims. Firstly, it aims to foster a scientific understanding of mind, action and experience, and the complex inter-relations between them. Secondly, taught components will present multiple psychological perspectives in a manner that fosters critical understanding and an understanding of real-life application of theory to a range of experience and behaviour. Thirdly, students will gain an enhanced understanding of the role of empirical evidence in the creation and constraint of theory, and a greater appreciation of how theory guides the collection and interpretation of empirical data. This will enable students to develop transferable skills in the appreciation and critical evaluation of theory, research findings and applications.