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PS122-15 Psychology in Context

Department
Psychology
Level
Undergraduate Level 1
Module leader
Jesse Preston
Credit value
15
Module duration
12 weeks
Assessment
36% coursework, 64% exam
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry
Introductory description

This module will introduce the history of psychology and core topics in developmental and cognitive psychology.

Module aims

Previous knowledge of psychology will not be assumed. The module covers key areas of psychology, developing basic knowledge in each. Taken together, PS121 Brain and Behaviour, PS120 Neuropsychology & Psychopathology and PS122 Psychology in Context provide a general introduction to Psychology designed to support work in the second and third years of the Psychology Honours Degrees.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Psychology in Context is part of a general introduction to Psychology designed as a foundation for further learning in the second and third years of the Psychology Honours Degrees. The module covers three different subjects representing a sample of research and theoretical topics in psychology: (1) History of Psychology; (2) Developmental Psychology; (3) and Psychology of Learning.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • be familiar with and able to discuss some of the classic studies in the areas of psychology set out above;
  • have a critical appreciation of some of the main concepts and theories in each of the areas;
  • locate modern psychology in a wider intellectual and historical context;
  • understand the parts played by developmental psychology in psychology as a whole;
  • understand the parts played by cognitive psychology in psychology as a whole; and
  • be able to take a historical perspective on psychology as a science.
Indicative reading list

Gleitman, H., Gross, J., & Reisberg, D.(2010). Psychology (8th ed.). New York: W.W. Norton & Co.
Kowalski, R., & Westen, D. (2011). Psychology (6th ed.). Hoboken, N. J., USA: Wiley.
Martin, N. G., Carlson, N.R., & Buskist, W. (2013). Psychology (5th ed.). Allyn & Bacon.
Nolen-Hoeksema, S., Fredrickson, B. L., Loftus, G. R., & Wagenaar, W. A. (2009). Atkinson & Hilgard's introduction to psychology (15th ed.). London: Wadsworth.

Subject specific skills

an awareness of the breadth of topics falling within the disciplines of Psychology
familiarity with the basic aspects of some of the most common research approaches to Psychology
presentation of understanding and evaluation of topics in Psychology within a structured and coherent argument

Transferable skills

effective communication skills to develop an argument supported by relevant evidence
familiarity with collecting and organising stored information found in library books and journal collections, and online, critical evaluation of sources
effective personal planning skills.

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 23 sessions of 1 hour (15%)
Seminars 3 sessions of 1 hour (2%)
Private study 124 hours (83%)
Total 150 hours
Private study description

Private Guided Student study and preparation for assessment and exam

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group D1
Weighting Study time
History of Psychology assessment 12%

Online test to assess History of Psychology material.

Developmental Psychology assessment 12%

Online tests to assess the Developmental Psychology material

Psychology of Learning Assessment 12%

Online tests to assess Psychology of Learning material

Online Examination 64%

Exam covering all sections of the module

~Platforms - AEP


  • Online examination: No Answerbook required
Feedback on assessment

Feedback on tests provided online through moodle, and in lectures.

Past exam papers for PS122

Courses

This module is Core for:

  • Year 1 of UPHA-L1CA Undergraduate Economics, Psychology and Philosophy
  • Year 1 of UPSA-C800 Undergraduate Psychology
  • Year 1 of UPSA-C804 Undergraduate Psychology with Education Studies
  • Year 1 of UPSA-C802 Undergraduate Psychology with Linguistics

This module is Core optional for:

  • Year 1 of UPHA-VL78 BA in Philosophy with Psychology
  • Year 1 of UIPA-C8L8 Undergraduate Psychology and Global Sustainable Development