Module Information

Module Identifier
PS11520
Module Title
Applications of Psychology
Academic Year
2017/2018
Co-ordinator
Dr Alison Mackiewicz
Semester
Semester 1
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture 11 x 2 Hour Lectures
Seminar 1 x 2 Hour Seminar
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment course work: 1200 words  40%
Semester Exam 2 Hours   written exam  60%
Supplementary Assessment course work: 1200 words  40%
Supplementary Exam 2 Hours   written exam  If students fail the module overall, any failed component must be re-sat or determined as the Examination Board sees fit.  60%

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the key distinctions and relationships between sub-disciplines in psychology.
2. Examine and evaluate the application of basic concepts to a range of applied areas of psychology.
3. Identify and describe the main applications of psychology and their uses in contemporary practice.
4. Demonstrate how their understanding of psychology can support their own development as self-directed learners.


Content

Psychology as an applied discipline.
Applications grounded in sub-disciplines
Psychology and health
Psychology and work
Psychology and forensic practice.
Cross-cultural psychology
Psychology and development (Autism)
Psychology and sport
Theories of implementation scienc

Brief description

Psychologists have skills and understanding that may reduce harm or enhance potential at individual, group and societal levels. Within Psychology, a number of applied branches have developed to apply these skills that have well-structured training and career paths. These branches of ‘applied psychology’ are: counseling, clinical, health, forensic, educational, occupational, and sports performance. Other areas are emerging, such as consumer, environmental, community, and music psychology. This course introduces you to the concept of applied psychology and examines existing and emerging branches through the use of speakers who are academic experts and/or real world practitioners of applied psychology. In doing so, the module will describe and define the main branches of the discipline, demonstrating how theoretical knowledge informs contemporary practice.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Not directly applicable.
Communication Students will be encouraged to communicate what they feel their training needs are in a group learning environment. This process will involve expressing their ideas visually to the rest of the group using an explorative, hands on teaching approach that integrates drawing and diagramming via flip charts and markers.
Improving own Learning and Performance The module aims to promote self-management but within a context of assistance from both the facilitator. Students will be expected to improve their own learning and performance by undertaking their own research and to exercise their own initiative, including searching for sources, compiling reading lists, and deciding (under guidance) the direction of their critical reviews.
Information Technology Students will be expected to seek information regarding different disciplines of psychology using appropriate skill list data bases as preparation for their occupational psychology workshop. Students will also use electronic information sources of information (such as Web of Science and PsychLit) to supplement their reading about the discipline of psychology.
Personal Development and Career planning The Occupational Psychology workshop will enable students to examine their current skill base and skill development for the future. The end product from this exercise will form part of their PDP portfolio.
Problem solving Independent project work and problem solving will be one of the central goals of the module; these skills will be developed during a two hour training needs analysis workshop when students will be encouraged to consider how occupational psychology can help them in their career planning and development. There will also be an element of 360 feedback whereby students will be encouraged to develop their critical thinking about group negotiation in the identification of training and development priorities.
Research skills Undertaking the preparation for the workshop and final examination will ensure that an assessment of the student's ability to work alone can be undertaken
Subject Specific Skills Students will have the opportunity to develop a wide range of subject specific skills that will help them to understand, conceptualise and evaluate examples and research publications presented on the module. These subject specific skills include: - Assessment of scientific methods in psychology. - Demonstration of a familiarity with the techniques required for literature searches. - Appreciation of the nature of ethical research in the social sciences.
Team work Not directly relevant to this module.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4