2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PSYC3507 Applied Psychology: Critical Issues

15 creditsClass Size: 80

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

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

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

Psychology as a discipline has the potential to deliver considerable benefits to society. This module explores how psychological evidence and theory can be translated into effective behaviour change interventions addressing real-world problems. Students gain new knowledge about designing behaviour change intervention and apply their existing knowledge about study design and evaluation, and ethical research practice, to their own intervention proposals.

This module is delivered in the form of Problem-based Learning where the need to solve a problem drives knowledge acquisition, creativity and team collaboration. Effective group work is integral to the module, providing students with an opportunity for shared peer learning and to develop confidence and skills in teamwork.

Learning outcomes
In this module, students will develop an understanding of how to translate psychological theory and evidence into behaviour change interventions relating to real-world problems, and how to evaluate intervention effectiveness.

Students will gain new knowledge about behaviour change and intervention development and will strengthen their knowledge of research design and study evaluation. They will also consolidate knowledge of ethical research practices when then apply them to their intervention and research design.

On completion of this module students should be able to:
• identify and appropriately deploy psychological theory and empirical research evidence to address real-world problems
• formulate, present and justify recommendations for ethical, behaviour change interventions within two fields of applied psychology
• design a robust form of intervention evaluation
• critically reflect on the development of team working skills

Skills outcomes
This module supports the development of:
• Identifying, comprehending, synthesising and using psychological evidence and theory
• Formulation of interventions
• Producing study proposals to design and evaluate psychological interventions.

Syllabus

This module runs over 1 semester.

Week 1:
Introduction to problem-based learning, behaviour change and intervention development. Groups established. Problem 1 choices released.
Week 2:
Applying knowledge for Problem 1 and Group work.
Week 3-4:
Supported group work. Submit proposal proforma at the end of Week 4.
Week 5:
Reading week.
Week 6:
Introduction to Problem 2 choices, developing intervention knowledge and feedback on problem 2 proposals.
Weeks 7-11
Supported group work. Submit Presentation 1 by the end of Week 11.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Group learning	1	1.00	1.00
Group learning	7	2.00	14.00
Lecture	1	1.00	1.00
Lecture	2	4.00	4.00
Private study hours			130.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

- Research for and production of Problem 1 Proposal: 25 hours (mix of independent and group work)
- Research for and production of Problem 2 Presentation: 45 hours (mix of independent and group work)
- Reading for, and writing of, Study Proposal: 60 hours (independent work)

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Formative feedback will be given weekly via module leader input into group work who will help groups explore their developing ideas, their learning needs and how well they are functioning as a group.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Group Project	Problem 1: Proposal	15.00
Oral Presentation	Problem 2: Presentation	35.00
Report	Study Protocol: 2,000 words	40.00
Self/Peer Assessment	Peer Assessment	10.00
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: 07/08/2023

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