Foundations of Modern Psychology drafted

Program Overview

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The Foundations of Modern Psychology short course offers an introduction to psychology, exploring diverse approaches to thinking about and researching human behaviour. With a particular focus on social and cognitive psychology, you will explore fundamental theories in psychology and how these are applied in everyday life.

The course has five key parts. Each explores significant themes and perspectives in psychology and provides a solid basis for understanding the fundamental ideas and debates related to human behaviour and psychology:

Part 1:

Scientific status and basis of psychology

Purpose of research in psychology

Research methods most commonly used in psychology

Effect of culture on psychology research and impact on theories

How debates about ethics and politics have shaped ethical guidelines

Part 2:

Significant historical paradigms that have shaped psychology today

Fundamental assumptions and research methods used

Strengths and weaknesses of psychological models

Part 3:

Historical rise of the cognitive approach

Information processing, perception and attention, and human memory

Part 4:

Fundamental assumptions of the social approach

Heuristics, attitudes, conformity, obedience and the psychology of groups

Part 5:

Using approaches and methodologies to understand issues in psychology

Cultural and potential biases within psychological theories

Political and ethical considerations in psychological research

This Foundations of Modern Psychology short course will be of interest to anyone interested in human interaction and thought processes who wants to gain a deeper understanding of the perspectives and approaches that underly contemporary psychology. It is also ideal if you have a non-psychology degree but need a Level 4 psychology qualification or a greater understanding of psychology in order to progress to postgraduate study.

This 22-week course is assessed via two coursework essays and two in-class timed essays. If you do not want to gain credit, you can still take the course without completing assessments.

This can be taken as a standalone short course or as a part of:

Psychology (Certificate of Higher Education)

30 credits at level 4