Most traditional models of mainstream psychology focus on using scientific methods to describe and explain human behaviour. In this module, you’ll examine these scientific approaches while highlighting the limitations of their assumptions. We’ll cover the historical context of psychology, specifically drawing on the theories and knowledge developed during the past 200 years. Contemporary psychology, in contrast, is often interdisciplinary in nature. Following a review of historical psychology, we’ll introduce you to the main body of interdisciplinary psychological perspectives. By the end of the module, you’ll be able to confidently critique current perspectives and summarise the most appropriate application to areas of psychological inquiry. You can expect to explore topics ranging from empirical psychology and behaviourism to humanistic and transpersonal psychology.
Get involved in a broad and interdisciplinary psychology as you engage with theory and appropriately reflect on your varied life and learning experiences. You’ll contemplate both your interpersonal and intrapersonal spheres, building skills in exploring self and identity (intrapersonal) and encountering others (interpersonal). This module will kickstart the lifelong process of personal and professional development. We’ll support you in exploring both theoretical and experiential forms of learning, self-directed learning, and reflecting on your experiences. Exploring the skills and attributes psychology graduates are expected to possess, you’ll review your existing competences and create a development plan to meet your goals. You’ll study a combination of generic development topics and psychology-focused content, including reflective writing, psychology of self, referencing and plagiarism, listening skills, and ethical practice.
Explore the variety of different approaches, perspectives, and theories in consciousness studies, spanning theology, philosophy and psychology. We’ll introduce you to concepts, theories, and approaches to human consciousness, ranging from biological/cognitive phenomena to experiential noumena. You can expect to cover many topics, including dualism, brain mapping technologies, materialist and idealist debates, AI and transhumanism, and meditation. Upon completion, you’ll be proficient in defining and differentiating between different models, methods, and approaches to consciousness. You’ll be able to critically reflect on and recognise these in current psychological research. By networking with online communities, you’ll begin to identify and describe emergent tensions, dialogues, and attempts at combining ideas in the academic arena of consciousness studies.
Human development is a key focus for mainstream psychology. In this module, you’ll learn concepts and theories associated with psychological development in a broad socio-historic and cultural context. We’ll critically consider the different stages of life, major life transitions, and the traditional approach to development. Focus on development tends to be limited to early years, so we’ll ensure you cover everything from birth, through infancy, childhood, adolescence and adulthood, into old age. You’ll also explore death and the process of dying, fundamental and universal aspects of life. In addition to traditional theories, you’ll draw on transpersonal psychology, sociology, anthropology, and critical social psychology. This module allows you to explore psychological ideas and theories of development, as well as compare and evaluate different perspectives on social, emotional, and cognitive human development.
Gain an understanding of both epistemological (the study of knowledge acquisition) and methodological aspects of the research process. This module will introduce you to the fundamental epistemological questions for the social and socio-psychological sciences. Specifically, you’ll look at problematic distinctions within the research process, including scientific versus ordinary knowledge and theory versus empirical data. You’ll investigate the precise relationship between quantitative measurement and the scientific method. In addition to this, you’ll address practical issues related to the different stages of research project design. By the end of the module, you’ll be able to discuss key methods and techniques used in social scientific research, such as ethnographic method, semiotic and discourse analyses, and causal analysis.
Focus on how psychologists investigate culture, and how it shapes - and is shaped by - mind, self and consciousness. You’ll draw on approaches from related disciplines, including sociology, philosophy, comparative theology, and anthropology. You can expect to explore themes including myths and legends, ritual and tradition, collective memory, sacred spaces, 'virtual worlds', as well as language, signs, and symbols. You’ll also be introduced to techniques used to investigate culture and its meanings, such as participant observation, interpretation, reflexivity, and 'auto-ethnography'.