- Academic Registry
Programme & Unit Catalogues


PS10200: Controversies in psychology

[Page last updated: 15 October 2020]

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2020/1
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Psychology
Further information on credits Credits: 12      [equivalent to 24 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 240
Further information on unit levels Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Academic Year
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW40OR40OT20
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Assessment detail for this unit will be available shortly.
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Description: Aims:
To introduce students to basic concepts and current debates in psychology.
To familiarise students with some classic psychological studies.
To provide a small group teaching experience.

Learning Outcomes:
Present a structured and coherent argument
Be able to communicate the results of their work by written and oral means.
Be able to evaluate different sides of an argument and provide synthesis.

Skills:
Understands the scientific underpinnings of psychology as a discipline, its historical origins, development and limitations. (T/F)
Recognises the inherent variability and diversity of psychological functioning and its significance. (T/F)
Can demonstrate systematic knowledge and critical understanding of a range of influences on psychological functioning, how they are conceptualised across the core areas, and how they interrelate. The core knowledge domains within psychology include (i) research methods, (ii) biological psychology, (iii) cognitive psychology, (iv) individual differences, (v) developmental psychology and (vi) social psychology. In addition to these core areas it is expected that students will gain knowledge of conceptual and historical perspectives in psychology. (T/F A)
Can reason scientifically, understand the role of evidence and make critical judgements about arguments in psychology. (T/F A)
Can communicate ideas and research findings both effectively and fluently by written, oral and visual means. (T/F A)
Can undertake self-directed study and project management in order to meet desired objectives. (T/F A)
Is able to take charge of their own learning, and can reflect and evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses for the purposes of future learning. (T/F A)

Content:
The course will cover controversial issues in psychology. The following are a list of possible issues that will be covered:
* Are humans naturally violent?
* Should animal research be part of psychological research?
* Do alternative/complementary therapies work?
* Is media violence harmful to children?
* Is psychology a science?
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

PS10200 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Psychology

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2020/21 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2021/22 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2020/21.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.