PSY4113 - Exploring Human Experience

Objectives:

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

1 Conduct a literature search and appraise research related to an area of psychology.
2 Discuss the historical and contemporary theoretical perspectives and debates in social and developmental psychology and their relevance across cultures.
3 Explain the role of research in social and developmental psychology, with a focus on qualitative methods.
4 Develop experience of a range of ethical considerations and research methods through practical participation in the Research Participation Scheme (RPS)

Content:

Indicative Module content

Foundational knowledge of social and developmental psychology, including the application of psychology to real-world issues. Social and developmental perspectives will be explored through the lenses of primarily qualitative, but also quantitative research methods. Global and cultural perspectives will be addressed throughout, as will the historical underpinnings of modern psychology.

Social: the self and social identity; group behaviour, leadership and social influence; social perception and cognition; attitudes and perception. The historical and philosophical emergence of social psychology, and the ethical and methodological implications of applying social psychology to social issues (both in the past and present) will be weaved throughout.

Developmental: history of developmental psychology (introduction), intelligence, characteristics and development, the role of identity, culture and education. The biopsychosocial approach to development will be woven throughout the content and consideration for the entire lifespan will be applied where appropriate.

You will explore ethics in social and internet-mediated research and the development of open science practices in psychological research. In addition to this, you will take part in the recreation, adaptation and undertaking of qualitative research methods from the key studies discussed within the interactive lectures. The module helps to prepare you with transferable skills that are valued by employers and helps develop your investigative skills that you will draw upon throughout your degree.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The primary method of teaching will involve a student-led approach. You will be expected to engage with interactive online content in social psychology, developmental psychology and for research methods prior to coming into the live teaching session (guided independent study time). Live teaching will comprise two 1.5-hour interactive lectures per week and one 2-hour practical skills lab per week. These live teaching sessions will have some tutor led content but will primarily be interactive and application-focused, using active learning methods such as enquiry and problem-led learning, discussions, peer collaboration, and hands-on research activities and skill development in practical skills labs. Within class, you will use a range of digital platforms, as well learning through practical ‘hands-on’ activities. Your learning will be consolidated by short knowledge checking tasks after the session, with resources to support your learning further if you wish to do so. Teaching and learning also involves hands-on experience of research methods and ethical practices.

Interactive lectures
hours: 30
intended group size: Cohort

Practical workshops
hours: 20
intended group size: 50

Guided independent study hours 250

Further details relating to assessment
Your first assessment comprises a short-written component that aims to support you with developing key university study skills such as literature searching, developing an argument and referencing. This assessment will include a formative element of peer assessment, where you will familiarise yourself with the marking criteria and the process of giving and receiving feedback. This early assessment is aimed to provide positive and constructive feedback, providing a positive baseline for the future development of your academic skills.

Your second assessment comprises a professional dialogue which will enable you to develop and reflect on fundamental skills for qualitative research methods in social and developmental psychology, which are transferable throughout your degree and beyond (e.g., understanding published research, designing semi-structured interview schedules, analysis of data, reflexive analysis). You can draw on supporting evidence to facilitate discussions during your dialogue. Module ethics will be secured for the data collection.

Research participation is an essential component of an accredited Psychology degree. The BPS Code of Human Research Ethics states that participation in psychological research provides you with valuable experience in research methodology and ethical considerations. You must participate in research as a prerequisite for conducting your own research at L5 and L6. You will be able to choose the studies you participate in. The level of engagement in research participation to achieve a pass for this component will be determined based on the nature and availability of studies on the Research Participation Scheme advertised by Level 6, PGRs and staff each year.

You will be supervised throughout and full responsibility for ethically conducted research activities will fall to module leaders. Ethical approval for lab-based research activities as part of teaching will follow LTU ethics processes for approval with both full research project applications and smaller research activities undertaken covered by general protocols by the module leaders. All research activities will be voluntary and alternative experiences or observations provided for participants who do not wish to or are unable to participate. Data storage and sharing will follow GDPR and LTU requirements. All research activities will be conducted within FSSE School of Psychology, LTU and BPS requirements for ethical research.

Please note that assessment component 003 must be passed in order to pass the module overall, as research participation is an essential element of the BPS-accredited programme.

Assessment:

001 Essay; 500 words; mid sem 1 20%
002 Professional dialogue; 15 mins; end of sem 1 80%
003 Research participation; approx 3-4hrs; pass/fail; end of sem 1 %

Fact File

Module Coordinator - PRS_CODE=
Level - 4
Credit Value - 30
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 4S1

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