Module Descriptors
PEOPLE BEHAVING BADLY? - THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SOCIAL ISSUES
PSYC40610
Key Facts
Faculty of Health Sciences
Level 4
15 credits
Contact
Leader: Melanie Hall
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 22
Independent Study Hours: 128
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
  • EXAMINATION - UNSEEN IN EXAMINATION CONDITIONS weighted at 100%
Module Details
Module Special Admissions Requirements
Students must be registered on an award within the Psychology Scheme
Module Texts
Arriaga, Z. & Oskamp, S. (Eds) (1998). Addressing Community Problems: Psychological Research and Interventions. London: Sage.
Humphrey, J.A. (2005). Deviant Behaviour. New Jersey: Pearson/Prentice Hall.
Schneider, F.W., Gruman, J.A. & Coutts, L.M. (2005). Applied Social Psychology: Understanding and Addressing Social and Practical Problems. London: Sage.
Module Resources
Case Studies, Videos, Internet access
Module Learning Strategies
There will be a series of lectures, discussions, debates, practical exercises and case study illustrations. In classes about half the time will be spent on lectures, and about half spent on other activities. Students will also be given a series of independent learning tasks, which will form the basis of some of the discussions and debates in class.

Formative learning will take place through class based activities and discussions and the completion of independent learning tasks . Peer and tutor feedback will be offered for independent learning activities, and tutor feedback on mock exam questions will be available.
Module Indicative Content
The role of psychology and its application to a number of social issues will be considered, and the relevance and usefulness of key psychological knowledge and research within these applications will be examined.
Illustrations of the main areas covered include an introduction to the psychology of drugs- legal and illegal, introduction to psychological perspectives on crime and violence in society, introduction to family conflict including divorce and domestic violence, introduction to the psychology of war, terrorism and tyranny, and psychological perspectives on educational achievement and underachievement.
Module Additional Assessment Details
An unseen examination weighted at 100%.
Two essays in 1.5 hours to assess outcomes 1- 5.