Psychology MSc (Distance Learning)

University of Worcester

The module provides students with an opportunity to critically consider the major theories, paradigms, and research methods used to identify and explain the development of representational ability and identity across the lifespan. The module examines a range of theoretical paradigms (e.g., constructivism; information processing) and how aspects of development are interpreted through the lens of key debates (e.g., nature/nurture; ‘atypicality’; developmental continuities; the influence of early experiences).

This module provides students with an opportunity to develop knowledge and awareness of Chartered pathways to becoming a professional Psychologist and to practice a range of professional skills and competencies that are central to career development in these fields (e.g., awareness of ethics; leadership; teamwork; communication). Students will critically consider models for reflecting on professional practice and explore how to become an effective reflective practitioner by considering their own personal and academic development across the module in relation to the professional skills and competencies they have practiced and with respect to employability.

The module provides students with an opportunity to critically understand the major theories, paradigms, and research methods used within social psychology. As part of this, students explore how social psychology can help us understand everyday behaviour, whilst acknowledging the limits of the discipline and methodological approaches. The learning and teaching activities of the module reflect the advanced nature of study (e.g. students will be required to complete significant amounts of self-directed reading; lectures will act as signposts to key issues).

The module provides students with an overview of the fundamental issues and main approaches to individual differences. The module will focus on the key assumptions of research on normative and non-normative personality development, self, and self-regulation from a range of perspectives (such as psychometric, psychoanalytical, behavioural, social learning, humanistic-existential-phenomenological, evolutionary, genetic, nature-nurture, and some cutting edge approaches such as discursive), and the paradigm tensions implicit in these. The module will also focus on the social and policy implications of individual differences in intelligence, in addition to those in health, education, relationships, and occupational choices.

Students complete a psychological research project under the supervision of academic staff. The project is focussed on primary data collection and students undertake all aspects of research design and planning, participant recruitment, data collection, management and analysis, and project write-up. All aspects of project work are informed by/consistent with the professional and ethical standards set out by the BPS (British Psychological Society) and APA (American Psychological Association).

This module examines cognitive phenomena, models and theories and aims to provide students with an understanding of human perception, language, learning, attention and memory, and how this knowledge is applied in a number of 'real world' domains. Connections with Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Neuropsychology are explored.

This module aims to equip the student with the skills necessary to undertake Masters level research. Students are introduced to Psychology as an evidence-based discipline, and the principles of psychological research design (including key debates and philosophical assumptions). Students learn about research ethics, data collection techniques, and quantitative and qualitative analytical approaches, moving from foundation to an advanced level of study.

This module critically considers neuropsychological research methods and approaches to studying human functioning. Key psychobiological models, theoretical perspectives and research findings are explored, together with their application to real-world issues.