Psychology MSc

In the developmental psychology part of the module you will be supported to build on your knowledge of human development across the lifespan in a variety of contexts. You will learn about different methodological approaches to studying human development and how to critique them. In the professional development part of the module, you will reflect on your personal and professional skills development and how psychology-related skills can be used beyond university.

You will explore and apply contemporary perspectives in social psychology. Through developing and applying your knowledge and understanding and with a critical focus you will research and offer solutions to current ‘real-world’ topical issues. This will consist of your solutions to a ‘real-world’ topical issue and will be pre-dominantly relevant to human social life. You will be assessed by one piece of coursework and an unseen exam. In this module you will examine the perspectives, methods and theoretical stances taken by social and personality psychologists in relation to key contemporary issues, social processes and conflicts. You will examine each approach from its respective social and personality psychology perspective, where continuities and discontinuities will be highlighted and evaluated. You will further examine a broad spectrum of epistemological approaches and place these in their context. The module will be delivered thematically, each theme reflecting major topic areas in social psychology and personality psychology. Outline Syllabus Social psychology and personality psychology – Mainstream and critical qualitative perspectives, conceptual and historical issues, methods and knowledge, identity theories, emotions, close relationships, sexuality, crowds, groups processes, personality theories and individual differences.

This module provides the opportunity for you to acquire a critical understanding of the range of quantitative approaches to research in Psychology, including experimental, quasi-experimental, non-experimental and qualitative methods. You will also have the chance to develop the ability to define appropriate participant samples and groups, understanding of the purposes and limitations of specific research techniques, the application of appropriate statistical methods or qualitative analysis to data from various designs and interpret the results, use appropriate methods of data collection and statistical tests or qualitative analysis.

This module helps to support you in the development of your ideas for your research proposal, in readiness for the project module. In addition you will explore how to complete a submission of the proposal for ethical approval for research involving human participants or data derived from them. You will learn about ethics beyond research and professional conduct.

In this module you will carry out an independent piece of research under the supervision of a member of Psychology staff who has Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS). You will submit a proposal for ethical approval for research involving human participants or data derived from them. You will have the opportunity to develop the ability to manage the process of constructing and carrying out a piece of research, analysing and interpreting the empirical data derived from it and communicating your findings in an appropriate report format.

Health psychology is the study of how behavioural, psychological and social processes influence physical health and illness. This module introduces you to the exciting discipline of health psychology through lectures, seminars and directed study. You will explore some key theories, concepts and research through one piece of coursework. The module is aligned with the scientist-practitioner model, with its emphasis on evidence-based approaches to treatment, as well as research methods and skills which is reflected in the module content.

This module explores psychological difficulties and ways in which clinical psychologists (and psychiatrists) have tried to understand, explain and manage behaviour that is perceived as ‘abnormal’ or ‘atypical’. You'll study the classification and management of different mental illnesses, such as personality disorders, eating disorders and schizophrenia. You'll be introduced to the diagnosis and aetiology of the mental illnesses by considering biological, psychological and social perspectives in understanding these difficulties.