Students will be introduced to individual differences within psychology and to key approaches, including Humanism, Behaviourism and the Psychodynamic approach. Topics will include understanding and treating disorders, e.g. phobias and OCD, and measuring differences, e.g. personality. To inform understanding of these approaches, students will be introduced to classic and contemporary research studies. Students will discuss issues and debates, including mental health from a historical perspective and the ethics of human and animal research. Links will be made to areas of professional psychology, in these areas, students will apply the knowledge of key approaches to real-life situations, including behaviour modification techniques, treatment for phobias, and counselling and clinical psychology. Links to employability will be made through considering the professional skills required to work as a psychologist. To provide students with key skills and to prepare for level 4 study, students will undertake study skills sessions, including plagiarism and referencing. Independent study time will be spent engaging in wider reading and formative assessment.

Poster (LO 1 and 2) – Produce an academic poster introducing one of the approaches covered in the module and a debate of one of the current issues in psychology.

Reflective log (LO 3) – 500-word reflective log on progress and skill development. Demonstrate an understanding of personal and professional skills. Students to provide self-analysis of personal and professional strengths and weaknesses, skills possessed and skills which require improvement.

Formative assessment To prepare for the academic poster, students will take part in a paired debate on an issue within typical and atypical behaviour. Formative learning will also take the form of teacher and peer feedback on the paired debate.

Lectures/workshop sessions. Lecture content will provide 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 their private study time, students will be expected to complete additional reading and consolidate the topics and concepts covered in class.

1. Describe and evaluate the basic concepts, key issues and relevant research relating to typical and atypical behaviour and the psychological approach to explain such individual differences.

Knowledge and understanding

2. Discuss and communicate to an academic audience some key debates and perspectives within psychology.

Communication

3. Demonstrate an understanding of personal and professional skills within professional practice and provide a reflective self-analysis of your progress and skill development.

Reflection
Personal development and entrepreneurship

Gross, R. (2020). Psychology: The Science of Mind and Behaviour (8th Edition), Hodder Education, London

On this module you will learn the basic concepts concerning individual differences, Humanism, Behaviourism and the Psychodynamic approach. You will study topics including understanding and treating disorders such as phobias and OCD, and measuring differences between individuals, for example, in their personality. To illustrate these concepts, you will be introduced to classic and contemporary research studies, alongside current issues and debates, including the history of mental health and the ethics of human and animal research. You will apply the knowledge you have learnt in this area to real-life situations, including behaviour modification techniques, treatment for phobias, and counselling and clinical psychology. You will learn the professional skills required to be a psychologist, and you will demonstrate an awareness of the development of your own personal and professional skills. To support your study skills within this module, you will undertake sessions on plagiarism and referencing.