2022/23 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PSYC1601 Introduction to Psychology

10 creditsClass Size: 300

Module manager: Rachel Coats
Email: r.o.a.coats@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2022/23

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module will cover key and current concepts within the subject of Psychology. Psychology is the science of the mind. It is a science because it aims to explain the greatest number of facts with the fewest number of assumptions, its hypotheses should be falsifiable by empirical tests, and its theories are connected to other sciences. The relevance of Psychology is very important to everyday life. This introduction to psychology will touch on some of the classic controversies including nature and nurture, the relationship between brain and mind, different approaches to understanding mental health, and how we process, store and use information about ourselves and other people. The approach embraces the diversity of perspectives within the discipline including experimental, cognitive, and developmental psychology, as well as biology and philosophy.

Objectives

The Introduction to Psychology module aims to provide an overview of key concepts, theories and approaches within Psychology.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Show an understanding of basic concepts in Psychology;
- Demonstrate an appreciation of the scientific approach to the study of the mind;
- Demonstrate knowledge of some major issues and controversies in Psychology;
- Appreciate the interdisciplinary nature of Psychology;
- Show an understanding of how Psychological theory can be applied to everyday life.

Skills outcomes
On completion of this module students should have begun to develop skills in:
- Understanding a scientific approach to the study of behaviour;
- Evaluating data and evidence and appreciating their relationship to theory and everyday life;
- Reading and understanding the format of journal articles.

Syllabus

- What is Psychology?
- Evolutionary Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Neuropsychology
- Health Psychology
- Exercise Psychology
- Mental Health and Illness
- Intelligence
- Emotion
- Critical approaches to Psychology

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Independent online learning hours			10.00
Private study hours			80.00
Total Contact hours			10.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

Each lecture will include interactive tasks which students will be expected to complete as part of their independent online learning. The tasks will include students contributing their views to debates in certain areas of Psychology in relation to lecture materials. (eg., nature nurture debate) as well as questions and comments on essential reading, delivered via Padlet. Students will also be expected to conduct private study outside of lectures and interactive online tasks. This will involve essential and recommended reading related to each topic, set each week.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will receive weekly formative feedback through completing MCQs (followed by answers) as part of the interactive lecture materials. The MCQs aim to aid students in testing their knowledge throughout the module. A longer set of MCQs will be provided in week 11 to prepare students for the exam.

Methods of assessment

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Online Time-Limited assessment	1 hr 00 mins	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		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: 05/06/2023

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

• Undergraduate module catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
• Undergraduate programme catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD