The purpose of this module is to introduce students to fundamental core areas of psychology, considering the classic theories and current thinking that informs modern psychology. The topics within each perspective may change annually to reflect the debates at the forefront of the discipline, but illustrations of the core areas of psychology which will be covered include:

- Biological Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Individual Differences
- Social Psychology
- Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology
- Research Methods in Psychology

Students will complete two examinations, split across 2 time points over the module. The first exam will assess learning outcome 1 in relation to some of the core areas of psychology covered to this timepoint. This will be an MCQ exam. The second exam will assess learning outcomes 1 and 2. Learning outcomes 1 and 2 will be in relation to the outstanding core areas of psychology not covered in the first exam. This will be comprised of MCQ and written tasks. Formative assessment opportunities and practice exam questions will be available for students to gain feedback on their performance. Assessment support sessions will be provided to facilitate preparation for approaching assessments.

Sessions will include lectures, seminars, group work and drop-in support sessions. There will also be self-directed and guided independent study needed to fully engage with the content and prepare for the assessment.

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of theoretical and conceptual issues within core areas of psychology and the scientific underpinnings of psychology introduced within this module.

Knowledge and Understanding

2. Integrate your knowledge of psychological perspectives and principles covered within this module to understand real-life issues and suggest solutions.

Problem Solving and Application

Access to psychology facilities and resources, including laboratory spaces, specialist software, equipment, and associated technical support.

Brysbaert, M. & Rastle, K. (2021). Conceptual and historical issues in psychology (3rd Ed.). Pearson.
Covers key movements that helped to shape the psychology discipline; it helps locate psychology in the wider field of science and understand the forces that continue to shape and define it. Conceptual and historical issues are one of the seven areas introduced in this module.

Clark-Carter, D. (2024). Quantitative Psychological Research: The Complete Student’s Companion (5th Ed.). Routledge.
Introduces research methods in relation to study design, choosing a sample and undertaking research, content that will be covered as one of the seven areas introduced in this module.

Groome, D., & Eysenck, M. (2025). An introduction to applied cognitive psychology (3rd Ed.). Routledge.
Provides an accessible introduction to the application of cognitive psychology (one of the seven psychology perspectives covered within this module) and how research findings have been applied in real life.

Higgs, S., Cooper, A., & Lee, J. (2023). Biological psychology (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications Ltd.
Provides an introduction to biological psychology through a range of real-world applications. Biological psychology is one of the seven psychology perspectives covered in this module.

Kuther, T. L. (2019). Child and adolescent development in context. (International student edition). SAGE.
Introduces developmental psychology and frames the research from this perspective in real-life contexts. Developmental psychology is one of the seven psychology perspectives covered in this module.

Maltby, J., Day, L., & Macaskill, A. (2022). Personality, Individual Differences & Intelligence (5th Ed.). Pearson.
Provides a reader friendly and up-to-date introduction to the psychology perspective of individual difference (one of the seven psychology perspectives covered within this module) and real-world applications. It touches upon conceptual and historical issues for this perspective.

Martin, G. N. & Carlson, N. R. (2019). Psychology (6th Ed.). Pearson.
Includes each of the seven core areas of psychology covered within this module at an introductory level.

Sutton, R. & Douglas, K. (2019). Social Psychology. (2nd Ed.). Macmillan.
Introduces key topics in social psychology (one of the seven psychology perspectives covered in this module) with a focus on the relevance to everyday life and real-world issues. It reappraises classic studies to highlight conceptual and historical issues within the social psychology perspective.

Are you ready to gain insights into the fundamental concepts, principles and classic theories that inform some of the core areas in modern psychology? In this module you will be introduced to some of the key psychological perspectives to provide you with a foundation that you can continue to build on throughout your future studies.