PSYC2271: Social and Developmental Psychology

• Either (i) or (ii) : (i) PSYC1062 IPR plus PSYC1071 Intro 1 and/or PSYC1081 Intro 2; OR (ii) PSYC1071 Into 1 plus PSYC1081 Intro 2

• PSYC2241 Cognitive and Biological Psychology

• None

• The aim of the module is to develop a broad knowledge and understanding of research and theory in some of the key areas of developmental psychology and examine the contribution that social psychology has made to an understanding of the relations between people and social structures involving people
• The module will explore the nature of joint activity and such social products as crowds and groups

• This module will cover historical issues surrounding the study of study of developmental and social psychology
• It will provide broad-ranging coverage of some key areas of developmental psychology, such as attachment, social influences on language, play, peers and friendship, theory of mind and self concept
• It will provide broad-ranging coverage of some key areas of social psychology, such as studies of groups, group processes and intergroup relations, and the reciprocal relations between social structure and cognition, emotion and personality
• The content will be delivered through weekly lectures
• Individual student support will be provided through a weekly surgery hour

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• A broad body of knowledge relating to developmental and social psychology, with in-depth knowledge of some topics

Subject-specific Skills:

• Understand the relationship between theory and data, including the ability to evaluate theories and concepts
• Ability to formulate research questions and hypotheses

Key Skills:

• Effective retrieval and organisation of material
• Location, reading, and review of a body of research evidence
• Critical evaluation of the quality of evidence and arguments
• Ability to adopt different theoretical positions and see relationships between them

• Acquisition of knowledge and understanding in this area is facilitated by the material covered in lectures, and the provision of detailed reading lists. Evidence of wider reading (i.e. not in set reading) will be required for higher marks
• Knowledge and understanding will be assessed through examination
• The examination uses a multiple choice format to assess the breadth of knowledge of the full syllabus, and a written format to assess the ability to organise, review and evaluate evidence and theory, to provide critical appraisal, and to contrast theoretical positions
• Feedback on progress in the module will be provided via in-class activities
• Subject-specific and Key skills are fostered through lectures and discussion and will be assessed via the examination

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