The purpose of this module is to introduce students to some of the fundamental core areas of psychology (biological psychology, cognitive psychology, individual differences), considering the classic theories and current thinking that informs modern psychology. Conceptual and historical issues across the core areas of psychology covered within the module will be considered throughout the module with dedicated lectures and seminar activities. In addition, the core areas will be applied to real-life situations to aid student understanding and application of the content covered. Within selected seminars students will be introduced to some of the technical resources relating to the core areas of psychology which are covered in the module. This application aims to help students to bring the theory to life and gain a deeper understanding of how the concepts and theories have been researched to build their awareness and evaluation of these approaches.

Summative assessment:
The exam will comprise of MCQs, short responses and short essays which cover the key topics of the module (LO1-4).

Formative assessment:
At the end of each lecture there will be assessment preparation slide(s), which depending on the topic may focus on hints / revision tips for answering MCQs, short response or essay response questions. These slides will also be covered within the accompanying seminars to provide the students with the opportunity for reflection and to ask questions relating to their knowledge/understanding as the content is covered. Within seminars students will engage in tasks to gain peer and tutor feedback in relation to their knowledge, understanding, development of evaluative arguments, communication and application to help them to prepare for the exam. Students will have the opportunity to complete a practice exam whereby they will receive tutor feedback to aid their preparations for the exam.

Scheduled learning and teaching activities will be made up of 34 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activity (e.g., lectures, workshops, assessment preparation).

Lectures: tutor-led interactive lectures will introduce the various theoretical approaches and key concepts, including applications to real-life situations and evaluation in relation to conceptual and historical issues in psychology. These will be delivered by the subject expert who will draw upon their own research and experiences within the subject area to inform the teaching.

Seminars: these sessions will provide the opportunity to support with the lecture content with further exploration and application of content-specific information and delivery of key skills. There will be opportunities for students to engage in discussions and access the technical resources to help to reinforce and apply the content covered and develop skills/knowledge and understanding within the core areas of psychology. These seminars will provide opportunities for peer and tutor feedback on learning through the tasks and activities engaged in.

Drop-in sessions: these sessions will be led by the module leader to provide additional support for the module/assessment throughout the semester.

There will be sessions dedicated to assessment preparation and guided reading around the topics covered within the lectures and seminars.

Furthermore, there will be self-directed study and guided independent study needed to fully engage with the content and prepare for the assessment.

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of some of the basic principles, theories and concepts within the core areas of psychology covered within the module.
Knowledge and understanding

Develop the ability to evaluate psychological evidence in accordance with the core areas of psychology covered within the module.
Analysis

Understand debates and issues relating to the core areas of psychology covered within the module.
Learning

Apply some of the concepts and theories covered within the module to real life situations.
Problem solving

Blackboard VLE.

Technical resources (laboratories and equipment): For example, the observation suite, cognitive suite and eye-trackers, psychology human sciences suite including physiological resources e.g. biopac, experiment building software e.g. Testable, Superlab, Psytoolkit

Library resources (journals, books and ebooks)

Internet access to relevant websites and online databases

Boyd, D., & Bee, H. L. (2012). The developing child (13th Ed). Harlow. (Available as book and ebook)

Esgate, A., & Groome, D. (2005). An introduction to applied cognitive psychology. Hove. (Available as book and ebook)

Eysenck, M. W. (2012). Fundamentals of cognition. Hove.

Maltby, J., Day, L., & Macaskill, A. (2013). Personality, Individual Differences & Intelligence. Edinburgh. (Available as book and ebook).

Martin, N. G., Carlson, N. R., Buskist, W. (2013). Psychology (5th ed). Harlow. (Available as book and ebook).

Toates, F. (2011). Biological Psychology. Harlow.

Are you ready for an adventure through concepts, principles and classic theories that inform some of the core areas in modern psychology? In this core module you will be introduced to some of the key psychological perspectives and consider how they can be applied to everyday life. You will be introduced to biological psychology, cognitive psychology and individual difference as part of this introductory module. You will learn about conceptual and historical issues across the content covered and have the opportunity to have introductory hands-on experience of some of the technical resources that relate to the areas of psychology that we cover. This module will help you to develop your knowledge and understanding for some of the core areas of psychology that you can apply and continue to build on throughout your degree.