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2019/20 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PSYC3507 Applied Psychology: Critical Issues

15 creditsClass Size: 70

Module manager: Siobhan Hugh-Jones
Email: s.hugh-Jones@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2019/20

Pre-requisite qualifications

Successful completion of all pass for progression modules in Level 2 of: BSc Psychology or MPsyc, BSc Advanced Psychology or BA Philosophy, Psychology and Scientific Thought (and its International and Industrial variants)

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Psychology as a discipline has the potential to deliver considerable benefits to society in general, and to certain stakeholders in particular. This module explores how psychological knowledge and theory can be used to inform effective behaviour change interventions addressing real-world problems. It also considers the challenges facing Applied Psychology and critically draws upon contemporary issues in intervention development and implementation science. In addition, given that this module is delivered in the form of Problem-based Learning, it offers students a unique learning context that allows them to develop valuable research-specific and transferable skills.

Objectives

Students will specialise in conceptual, theoretical and practical issues relating to the application of psychological evidence and theory to behaviour change interventions.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students should be able to:

- identify and appropriately deploy psychological theory and empirical research to address real-world problems;
- formulate, present and justify recommendations for interventions within two fields of applied psychology;
- explain and critically discuss the issues pertinent to the application of psychological theory and evicence to behaviour change interventions
- critically reflect on the development of team working skills and other transferable skills .

In this module, students will develop an understanding of how to translate psychological theory and evidence into behaviour change interventions and the prominent issues facing applied researchers in doing this. It will give students a unique opportunity to work on real-world issues (developed in collaboration with external partners) and to draw widely from their own developing psychological knowledge to respond to these. Notably, this module offers a novel learning configuration (Problem-based Learning) that will support a range of learning styles and which will facilitate the development of valuable skills.

Skills outcomes
This module supports the development of:
- analytic and creative thinking
- information retrieval, synthesis and evaluation
- evidence-based reasoning
- group working skills
- presentation skills; leadership, negotiation and communication
- time management
- concise report writing


Syllabus

This module runs over 1 semester and is developmental in nature, i.e. students face increasingly challenging problems and with increasing autonomy.

Week 1:
Critical Issues in Applied Psychology & Overview of PBL
Introduction to assessments and Problem 1.
Week 2:
Problem 1 group work; module leader feedback on planned approach.
Introduction to Problem 2.
Week 3-5:
Problem 1 Presentations (recorded at various times) and Introduction to Problem 2.
Week 6 - 10:
Support for end of module assessment; Problem 2 group work and module leader support
Week 10/11:
Problem 1 Presentations (recorded at various times)
Week 11: Assessment Support
End of semester deadline for ‘Study Proposal and Review’

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Presentation21.002.00
Problem Based Learning91.5013.50
Lecture21.503.00
Private study hours131.50
Total Contact hours18.50
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)150.00

Private study

- Reading for Problem 1: 24 hours
- Reading for Problem 2: 32 hours
- Group Presentation Preparation Problem 1: 16 hours
- Group Presentation Preparation Problem 2: 19.5 hours
- Reading for, and writing of, final assessment: 40 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Formal Progress monitoring will occur at two points (presentations 1 and 2) although informal support will be offered throughout the module. As students work in groups, the module leader will spend time every week with each group to explore their developing ideas, their learning needs and how well they are functioning as a group. Groups will also be asked to reflect on what is working well, and what needs to change, in their group functioning at the end of Problem 1 Presentations. They will be asked to reflect on what they learned about group work, and how they function in groups, at the end of the module.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Oral PresentationGroup Presentation 130.00
Oral PresentationGroup Presentation 235.00
ReportStudy Proposal & Review: 2,000 words35.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 30/04/2018

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