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Department of Psychology, Unit Catalogue 2007/08


PS50078 Theoretical issues in psychology

Credits: 6
Level: Masters
Semester: 1
Assessment: ES 100%
Requisites:
Aims: To equip students with an understanding of the nature of psychological knowledge. To enable them to appreciate the role of biological context, social context and cultural perspectives on the formulation of psychological theories and research.
Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge and Understanding:
* have a critical appreciation of how theory in psychology developso understand the relationship between theory and methodology;
* understand the relationship between biological perspectives and social perspectives in theory and research questions in key studies;
* be aware of the cultural context within which research questions and theories are developed, and data interpreted;
* understand the epistemological context of key studies in psychology and the implications of these for interpretation of data;
* be able to apply their understanding of key studies in psychology to the principles of research design;
* have an in-depth appreciation of the development and evaluation of key studies in psychology;
* be able to appreciate alternative approaches to core research questions;
* appreciate the tensions between applied and policy considerations and theoretical agendas, in the development of research questions in psychology;
* appreciate the relationship between psychology and other disciplines in the development of research in psychology.
Skills:

* effective presentation of material using appropriate visual aids;
* develop writing skills and skills in the formulation of argument and the presentation of critical appreciation of debate and controversy.
Content:
The unit will comprise 1.core lectures on key theoretical issues in psychology, in social, cognitive, health, developmental, communication and applied fields and the history of psychology, 2. indepth studies of selected key research, through seminar and essay work.