Module Specification Template

MODULE SPECIFICATION TEMPLATE

MODULE DETAILS

Module title / Psychology, Cognition & Social Worlds
Module code / SS509
Credit value / 20
Level
Mark the box to the right of the appropriate level with an ‘X’ / Level 4 / Level 5 / X / Level 6 / Level 7 / Level 8
Level 0 (for modules at foundation level)
Entry criteria for registration on this module
Pre-requisites
Specify in terms of module codes or equivalent / SS413, SS423 or equivalent
Co-requisite modules
Specify in terms of module codes or equivalent
Module delivery
Mode of delivery / Taught / X / Distance / Placement / Online
Other
Pattern of delivery / Weekly / X / Block / Other
When module is delivered / Semester 1 / Semester 2 / Throughout year / X
Other
Brief description of module content
Overview (max 80 words) / This module introduces two core areas of psychology, social and cognitive psychology. The module explores a range of theory and research concerned with our thinking and behaviour in a social world. Students are introduced to core topics in social and cognitive psychology, related empirical findings, varied theoretical positions and applications that seek to explain human behaviour in a social environment. The module meets the British Psychological Society accreditation requirements for coverage and assessment of cognitive and social psychology.
Module team/ author/ coordinator(s) / Dr Matt Adams
School / School of Applied Social Science
Site/ campus where delivered / Falmer
Course(s) for which module is appropriate and status on that course
Course / Status (mandatory/ compulsory/ optional)
BA (Hons) Applied Psychology and Criminology / Compulsory
BA (Hons) Applied Psychology and Sociology / Compulsory
BA (Hons) Social Science / Optional
BSc (Hons) Applied Psychology / Compulsory

MODULE AIMS, ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT

Aims / The aims of the module are:
·  To illustrate the range of ways in which social and cognitive psychologists examine, theorise, research and explain thinking and social behaviour.
·  To expose students to applications of cognitive and social psychological theory and research
·  To encourage in-depth exploration of key contemporary debates within social and cognitive psychology.
·  To introduce critical perspectives on social and cognitive psychological issues which emphasises the social, political and historical context in which psychological knowledge is produced.
Learning outcomes / On successful completion of the module the student will be able to :
1.  Demonstrate understanding of a range of theoretical concepts deployed in cognitive psychology.
2.  Apply insights from theory and research to explain the role of cognition in human behaviour and experience.
3.  Demonstrate understanding of a range of theoretical concepts deployed in social cognitive psychology.
4.  Apply insights from theory and research in an examination of the relationship between cognition and social context.
5.  Demonstrate a critical understanding of theoretical concepts deployed in social psychology.
6.  Compare and contrast the ways in which psychologists from different theoretical perspectives (cognitive and social) approach psychological issues.
Content / A diverse range of theoretical and methodological approaches and applications will be explored in relation to issues in social and cognitive psychology, incorporating topic areas such as:
·  Attention
·  Attribution and social judgements
·  Attitudes
·  Social cognition
·  Learning
·  Memory
·  Emotion
·  Problem solving, thinking and reasoning
·  Social representations
·  Self, identity and society
·  Aggression and anti-social behaviour
·  Pro-social behaviour
·  Prejudice, ‘othering’ and discrimination
·  Sex, love and close relationships
·  Communication, language and discourse
·  Inter- and intra-group relations
Learning support / Learning Resources
·  A good range of library resources, specialist websites and online learning resources support student learning.
·  Up-to-date reading lists, suggested websites, journals and online learning resources will be provided on commencement of the module, using Studentcentral.
Indicative reading:
Latest editions of the following:
Aronson, E. The Social Animal. London: Worth.
Burr, V. Social Constructionism. London: Routledge.
Callaghan, J. and Lazard, L. Social Psychology. Exeter: Learning Matters.
Eysenck, M.W. and Keane, M.T. Cognitive Psychology: A Student’s Handbook. London: Psychology Press.
Hepburn, A. An Introduction to Critical Social Psychology. London:
Sage.
Hogg, M. A. and G.M. Vaughan. Essentials of Social Psychology. London: Prentice Hall.
Hogg, M. A. and G.M. Vaughan. Social Psychology, London: Prentice Hall.
Levitin, D. Foundations of Cognitive Psychology. London: Pearson Education.
Robinson-Reigler, B. and Robinson-Reigler, G. Cognitive Psychology: Applying The Science of the Mind: International Edition. 3rd edition. London: Pearson Education.
Stainton Rogers, W. Social Psychology. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
Key Websites
Academic Study Kit http://about.brighton.ac.uk/ask/
Social Psychology Network http://www.socialpsychology.org/
Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues http://www.spssi.org/
The Fiske Lab http://www.fiskelab.org/
The Psychologist Website https://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/
Journals:
Advances in cognitive psychology
Applied cognitive psychology
British journal of social psychology
Cognitive psychology
Discourse & society
European journal of social psychology
Journal of applied social psychology
Journal of community & applied social psychology
Journal of critical psychology, counselling and psychotherapy
Journal of social psychology
Psychology
Psychological Bulletin
Teaching and learning activities
Details of teaching and learning activities / Teaching and learning occurs through weekly lectures and seminars totalling a minimum of 48 hours and 152 hours of guided and self-directed study, as outlined in the module handbook.
Allocation of study hours (indicative)
Where 10 credits = 100 learning hours / Study hours
SCHEDULED / This is an indication of the number of hours students can expect to spend in scheduled teaching activities including lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervision, demonstrations, practical classes and workshops, supervised time in workshops/ studios, fieldwork, external visits, and work-based learning. / 48
GUIDED INDEPENDENT STUDY / All students are expected to undertake guided independent study which includes wider reading/ practice, follow-up work, the completion of assessment tasks, and revisions. / 152
PLACEMENT / The placement is a specific type of learning away from the University that is not work-based learning or a year abroad.
TOTAL STUDY HOURS
Please note this must amount to 200 hours for a 20 credit module / 200
Assessment tasks
Details of assessment for this module / ·  Short-question assignment based on applied scenarios (800 words; LOs 1, 2; 20%)
·  Essay assignment based on applied scenarios (1200 words; LOs 3, 4; 30%)
·  Two hour unseen exam; two sections, choice of one question from each (LOs 5, 6; 50%)
Types of assessment task[1]
Indicative list of summative assessment tasks which lead to the award of credit or which are required for progression. / % weighting
(or indicate if component is pass/fail)
WRITTEN / Written exam, written coursework essay / 50
COURSEWORK / Written assignment/ essay, report, dissertation, portfolio, project output, set exercise / 50
PRACTICAL / Oral assessment and presentation, practical skills assessment, set exercise

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

Area examination board / Applied Social Science UG AEB
Refer to Faculty Office for guidance in completing the following sections
External examiners
Name / Position and institution / Date appointed / Date tenure ends
Dr Ian Tucker / Senior Lecturer
University of East London / September 2012 / Aug 2016

QUALITY ASSURANCE

Date of first approval
Only complete where this is not the first version / February 2013
Date of last revision
Only complete where this is not the first version / November 2013
Date of approval for this version / September 2015
Version number / 3
Modules replaced
Specify codes of modules for which this is a replacement
Available as free-standing module? / Yes / No / x

Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012

[1] Set exercises, which assess the application of knowledge or analytical, problem-solving or evaluative skills, are included under the type of assessment most appropriate to the particular task.