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PSYC1111: INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY I ONLINE: COGNITIVE AND BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY

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Type Open
Level 1
Credits 20
Availability Not available in 2023/24
Module Cap None.
Location Durham
Department Psychology

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • PSYC1071 - Introduction to Psychology I: Cognitive and Biological Psychology

Aims

  • This is the online version of the PSYC1071 - Introduction to Psychology I: Cognitive and Biological Psychology. It is designed for students who are not on a BPS accredited route.
  • This Level 1 introductory course is to allow students to acquire a broad foundation of knowledge of the core areas of cognitive psychology and biological psychology

Content

  • The course is divided into four sections (NB the order in which the topics are delivered may vary): (1) How the brain works, (2) How vision works, (3) How attention and memory works, (4) How learning works
  • Each section introduces and explores central issues, covering history, empirical findings and their theoretical, interpretation
  • The sections have a common form of 10 one-hour lectures, including a one-hour formative multiple choice class test, and revision classes
  • The first lecture of each sub-section provides a historical and conceptual introduction to the topic

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • Acquisition of knowledge of the areas of cognitive psychology and the biological bases of behaviour.
  • Detailed understanding of some sub-areas of cognitive and biological psychology

Subject-specific Skills:

  • Emerging understanding of the relationship between data and theory

Key Skills:

  • Developing ability to organise and utilise knowledge

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Student acquisition of a broad range of knowledge relating to cognitive and psychology and the biological bases of behaviour is facilitated by the material covered in lectures and the provision of appropriate reading lists
  • Assessment of the breadth and depth of this knowledge is achieved via the summer examination.
  • The examination uses an MCQ format to assess the breadth of students knowledge of the full syllabus
  • Detailed understanding of some sub-areas of cognitive and biological psychology is supported by elements of lecture content which use examples to provide more detail about selected topics and issues
  • The examination serves to probe the depth of students understanding in these areas
  • The ability to organise and utilise knowledge is developed through students' preparation for and participation in lecture activities
  • The examination assesses students' abilities to use the knowledge acquired through reading. The formative class tests provide students with rapid feedback on their progress in acquiring knowledge
  • Lecture activities guide students emerging understanding of the relationship between data and theory by providing examples of methods and issues arising from these and how these relate back to theory. Knowledge of both key findings and theories is assessed by the examination

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Lectures362 per week 1 Hour36 
Formative Class Tests42 per term, in one of the scheduled lexture slots (Michaelmas and Epiphany Terms only) 1 Hour4Yes
Preparation and Reading160 
Total200 

Summative Assessment

Component: ExaminationComponent Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Examinationtwo-hours

Formative Assessment

The formative class test MCQs provide almost immediate feedback on students' progress and what has been learned

More information

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