Title: Lifespan Psychology

This module aims to provide a general introduction to psychological theories and debates relating to Lifespan development, from birth to old age. It will explore some of the factors that affect human development and focus on experiences common to every human being. The nature versus nurture debate will be a central theme throughout.

Indicative content:

Access these sections through Lifespan Psychology Module Outline page, linked below

1. The concept of maturation and inheritance — The human biological blueprint
2. The growth of thinking and learning
3. The importance of language, linking biological and social factors of language
4. The growth of moral behaviour and the development of moral emotion
5. The role of the media and the reinforcement of aggressive and prosocial behaviours
6. Identity and adolescence
7. Problems associated with being human — psychopathology
8. Old age and senescence
9. Social influences on human behaviour
10. Workshop on writing the psychology assignment

Delivery methods

In addition, the workshop on writing the psychology assignment will further develop essay writing skills in terms of planning, structure and organisation of a psychology essay.

Assessment methods:

Assessment Strategy

See attached grid for details of unit outcomes and assessment criteria.

Method of assessment

Assessment will be through the submission of a 1500 -2000 word essay on a topic of choice from the unit that clearly reflects how the chosen topic relates to the Nature- v- Nurture debate.

Assessment criteria:

Guidance notes and example of application.

The essay should demonstrate the following in order to achieve 2 credits at level 3:

Evaluate a range of psychological theories that form the subject matter of Psychology:

An evaluation of relevant theories and concepts that is clearly linked to the nature-v-nurture debate. For instance an essay on Maturation should evaluate the idea of maturation being a biological sequence of pre-programmed events and should be assessed in terms of how well it explains aspects of human behaviour. Studies relating to the impact of the environment should also be evaluated in the same way and a conclusion reached regarding the relative strengths and weaknesses of both sides of the debate.

Express the main concepts within the subject matter of psychology clearly and appropriately, using the correct terminology

In addition, the language used to express the theories and concepts should be relevant and appropriate, for instance a clear understanding of what is meant by the term maturation needs to be demonstrated clearly and in context. Each theoretical stance may well have language that is peculiar to its subject area and the student needs to demonstrate that they can define and understand key concepts using the correct terminology.

Assess the relative contribution of theories to the main debates and issues within psychology by evaluating a range of relevant studies

The student should also demonstrate the ability to compare and contrast relevant theories and concepts in a coherent and well-structure framework. The studies should be carefully chosen to reflect accurately the nature of the argument, for instance in the example used above relating to maturation, it would be expected that a range of studies relating to the role of the family may well be assessed and contrasted to the main ideas relating to biological factors.

Reading list

Glassman, W. - Approaches to Psychology

Gross, R. - Developmental Psychology

Gross, R. -The Science of Mind and Behaviour

Hayes, N. - Psychology, An Introduction

Staats, A. - Learning, Language and cognition

Stephenson - The Development of Conscience

Beard, R. - An Outline of Piagetian Development

Bowlby, J. - Attachment and Loss. Vol 1

Allen, J.P.B. - Chomsky: Selected Readings.

Dacey, J. - Adolescents Today

Donaldson, M. - Children’s Minds.

Slater, R. - The Psychology of Growing Old

Module Title: Individual differences

This module aims to provide an introduction to the psychological theories and concepts relating to individual differences in humans. It will explore some of the factors that identify human behaviour at the individual level such as personality and intelligence and will go on to examine ideas about normal and abnormal behaviours by looking at different models of mental illness and related therapies.

Module Title: Counselling psychology

This module will examine the main theories and debates relating to Counselling psychology. It will start with the historical context of counselling, compare counselling with therapy and examine the relative influence of psychoanalysis, Behaviourism and Humanistic psychology on the range of counselling activities. It will go on to identify a range of practical skills used in developing the helping relationship.

Module Title: Health psychology

This module will examine a range of issues that fall within the boundaries of Health psychology. It will focus on aspects of health such as preventative measures through health campaigns, drug and alcohol abuse, stress and stress management and the range of alternative health therapies on offer today.

Module Title: Social psychology

This unit will focus on how human behaviour is affected by others. It will examine a range of issues such as: Obedience to Authority and conformity; Attitudes; Attributional Theory; Altruistic and helping behaviour and Groups and Leadership.

last update April 5, 2003