Programme of Study Catalogue

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

(1) demonstrate knowledge of a range of both classic and current research in cognitive and developmental psychology;
(2) assess the strengths and weaknesses of various methodological and theoretical approaches within the above areas of psychology;
(3) demonstrate a critical awareness of issues in the above areas.

Content:

Cognitive Psychology eg: Language, learning and memory. Visual and auditory perception. Attention. Thinking, reasoning, problem solving and decision making. Issues of representation and process. Cognition is presented as an active process with many interrelated and interdependant components. A variety of methods and approaches are considered (eg case study, cognitive neuroscience, experimental and comparative) to provide a broad perspective.

Developmental Psychology: Research Methods for Developmental Psychology. Perceptual, motor and cognitive development during infancy. General theories of the nature and nurture of psychological attributes. Development of general representational abilities, including language, drawing and number. Nature of cognitive change in the school years. Comparative analysis of constructivist, socio-cultural, and information processing theories of development. Development of self and identity. Gender socialisation. Emotional development.

Learning and Teaching Information:

This module will be taught using lectures, seminars/tutorials and workshops.

Lecture
Contact hours 20
Intended Group size: 90

~Seminars/Tutorials
Contact hours 6
Intended Group size: 20

Workshops
Contact hours 14
Intended Group size: 90

Guided Independant study
Hours: 160

Other relevant matters
The elements of this module are taught and examined as two independent components. Cognitive Psychology is taught in Semester 1 and Developmental Psychology is taught in Semester 2.
Study skills: Intellectual skills, including reading and writing skills, critical reflection and written analysis and interpretation; working with others, including small group presentations and workshops in seminars.
Students will develop a range of study skills including: reasoned argument, critical thinking and evaluation of contrasting perspectives.

Assessment:

001 Information Leaflet with associated written exposition 2000 words end of semester 1 50%
002 Unseen exam (Developmental) 1.5 hours end of semester 2 50%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Dr Julie Allen
Level - 5
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 5YL