2024/25 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 2024/25
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, justify and evaluate proposed 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 | 2.00 | 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: 35 hours (mix of independent and group work)- Research for and production of Problem 2 Presentation: 55 hours (mix of independent and group work)
- Preparation for final assignment: 40 hours (independent work)
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Progress monitoring will occur weekly via group discussions with the module leaders. Problem 1 is both formative and summative. Feedback on Problems 1 and 2 will support completion of the final assessment.Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Group Project | Problem 1: Proposal (Group) (Completion of study proforma) | 15.00 |
| Oral Presentation | Problem 2: Presentation (Group, 15 minute) Presented live on MS Teams and recorded for feedback purposes | 35.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 50.00 | |
Problem 1 (15%) assessment requires students to work in groups to propose an outline intervention and its evaluation. This will be on a proforma with headed sections, orienting students quickly to the areas they need to work on. Students will have 4 weeks to develop their proposal as a group; this time is required for them to begin functioning effectively as a team, to build knowledge about behaviour change and intervention development, to fill knowledge gaps in relation to the problem and to creatively develop a proposed intervention. Choices for Problem 1 are likely to be all focused on student behaviour (e.g. (1) recycling (2) registering with a GP or (3) sleep hygiene). Problem 1 feedback will inform developments in Problem 2 (35%) proposals. Problem 2 is where students develop, within their same groups, a more comprehensive and detailed intervention proposal, and linked evaluation protocol, based on a choice of one of three problems linked to module leaders’ areas of expertise (eg GPs ‘Making Every Contact Count, adolescent mental health). They will present this in a 15 minute live, recorded presentation to module leaders via MS Teams* Problems 1 and 2 will assess students’ knowledge, comprehension and application of behaviour change theory and literature, intervention design and creativity, research ethics, creativity and presentation skills (Problem 2).
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Open Book exam | 1 hr 30 mins | 50.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 50.00 | |
The final will assess the student's independent knowledge, comprehension and application of behaviour change theory and evidence, intervention design, research ethics and design.
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 17/05/2024
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