You will be introduced to key concepts within cognitive and social psychology. Topics will include areas such as obedience, conformity and memory. To inform these concepts, you will be introduced to classic and contemporary research studies in both cognitive and social psychology. You will discuss debates and issues in cognitive and social psychology, including Psychology as a science and ethical issues in research. The concept of inclusivity within psychology will be covered through the consideration of ethnocentrism, including cross-cultural differences in social influence, social norms and crime. The module also includes areas of applied psychology linked to social and cognitive psychology, namely issues in criminal and forensic psychology. In these areas, you will apply the knowledge of key areas to real-life situations, such as the accuracy of eyewitness testimony and jury decision-making. In order to equip you with key employability skills and to prepare you for Level 4 study, you will undertake study skills sessions, including an introduction to IT systems and referencing. Independent study time will be spent engaging in wider reading and formative assessment.

Class test (LO 1) - One extended response question, a combination of multiple choice, short answer and application questions, under timed conditions. Duration 45 minutes.

Case study (LO 2) - Students will be provided with a case study of a criminal case and trial. Using psychological theories covered in class, they will need to identify 2/3 issues within the case study, explain why these occurred, and offer a solution to minimise their occurrence in the future. Word count - 1000

Formative Assessment In order to prepare for the class test, formative learning will take the form of practice test questions, quizzes and in-class questioning. Students will complete a mock test in timed conditions to prepare them for the conditions of the actual test.

Formative learning to prepare for the case study will take the form of practice evaluation/analysis paragraph construction, extended writing tasks to improve literacy and opportunities to find and review academic literature.

Lecture/workshop sessions. Lecture content provides a basic framework of concepts, theories and research. Classes also include interactive learning activities such as workshops, group discussions, web-based activities, practical demonstrations and tests, oral presentations, and written formative and summative assessments. During independent study time students will be expected to complete additional reading and consolidate the topics and concepts covered in class.

1. Describe the basic concepts, key issues and relevant research relating to Cognitive, Social and Criminal Psychology.

Knowledge and understanding

2. Analyse issues using your knowledge and understanding of concepts and research in cognitive and social psychology to issues within criminal psychology.

Application and problem solving

Gross, R. (2020). Psychology: The Science of Mind and Behaviour (8th Edition), Hodder Education, London
Banyard, P., Dillon, G., Norman, C., & Winder, B. (Eds.). (2024). Essential psychology (Paperback ed.). SAGE Publications Ltd.
Howitt, D. (2022). Introduction to Forensic and Criminal Psychology (7th Edition), Pearson Education Limited, London

On this module you will learn the basic concepts within cognitive and social psychology. You will study topics such as conformity, obedience, prejudice and models of memory. To illustrate these concepts, you will be introduced to classic and contemporary research studies within cognitive and social psychology, alongside current issues and debates, including ethnocentrism and whether psychology should be considered a science. You will apply the knowledge you have learnt to issues within criminal and forensic psychology, such as the accuracy of eyewitness testimony, jury decision-making and strategies for crime prevention and reducing reoffending. In order to support your study skills within this module, you will undertake sessions on referencing and IT systems.