Psychology with Clinical Psychology and Placement Year - BSc (Hons)

SP300 is concerned with methodology in psychology, with statistics in psychology, and how they interact. In the lectures, relevant topics in methodology and statistics are introduced over the course of the year (examples are design considerations, counterbalancing, sample versus population, descriptive statistics, histograms, summary statistics, hypothesis testing). There are a number of dedicated lectures looking at how the psychological literature reflects the methodological and statistical issues that have been addressed in the lectures, and how researchers have balanced the requirements of methods, statistics and theory-driven investigation

Psychology is an increasingly popular discipline, possibly because of its relevance to the problems of everyday life. It is also a scientific discipline and draws on other areas of scientific investigation for its concepts and ideas, including Biology, Linguistics, Computer Science and Philosophy. The general aim of this module is to introduce students to the scientific study of behaviour, covering the basic approaches to the subject, including the Biological approach, the Cognitive approach, Behaviourism and Ethology, the Development perspective and related philosophical ideas. Rather than teach these topics in separate blocks, the module is organised so as to emphasise how the theoretical frameworks underlying these approaches relate and contrast. The module also shows how psychological theories and ideas can be used to account for both everyday and abnormal human behaviour.

This module, along with other Stage 1 psychology modules, provides a foundation for Stages 2 and 3. It will provide students with an introduction to the methods, techniques and issues involved in the study of social psychology. The emphasis of the module is on theory as the foundation of an empirical discipline and the importance of scientific methodology. It highlights the interplay between theory, research, and application in social psychology. Focus is placed on core theories and research in social psychology, developmental psychology, personality psychology, and applied psychology. The module is taught through lectures and skills workshops.

The broad aims of the module are: (a) to provide a continued training in methodological skills appropriate to psychological investigation; (b) to provide advanced training in statistical techniques of the analysis of psychological data; (c) to provide training in computing skills for conducting analysis of psychological data; and (d) to provide direct experience of some of the phenomena encountered in other Stage 2/3 psychology modules. The practical component of the module consists of a structured programme of laboratory classes and non-laboratory sessions during which students work in small supervised groups designing and carrying out four research projects related to themes encountered in the department’s other Stage 2/3 modules. A programme of statistics lectures and computing workshops is closely linked to the practical classes. Computer–based statistical analysis is illustrated using SPSS, a general-purpose statistical package.

The focus of this module is on understanding how children develop, with particular emphasis on the historical background of this part of the discipline, and the key theories, explanations and research conducted within developmental psychology. Certainly, it would hardly be an exaggeration to say that for all of us, the period of our lives we go through described as 'childhood' has a significant influence on who we become as adults. Understanding something of the processes we all appear to go through is a central part of any psychology degree, and by the end of this module you should be in a much better position to understand the significance of child development for human psychology. As the course progresses we will move from issues germane to early infancy, then through early childhood and the associated social, cognitive and emotional changes the child experiences during that period, and then a detailed look at adolescence. An additional major component of the course examines how children acquire language and learn how to talk - possibly the most significant development of all.

The module provides a comprehensive overview of the main theories in personality and differential psychology and introduces a number of key topics in research on personality and individual differences. We will consider what personality is, why it differs between people, and what the impact is of personality on life outcomes. The module introduces the basic principles of the scientific study of personality and the major dimensions of personality variation. We examine personality change and stability, the biological bases, and genetic and environmental influences. We will also focus on other important individual differences such as mental abilities (intelligence), political attitudes, religious beliefs and sexuality.

This module focuses on the study of the biological bases of human behaviour, relating actions and experiences to genetics and physiology. The study of brain functioning is central to this module. It will address questions such as: How do genes, drugs and hormones influence behaviour? Why do we sleep? What causes behaviour? How are memories stored in the brain? What is the role of bodily reactions in emotion? Is schizophrenia a disorder of the brain? In addition, the module will focus on the methods that are used to answer these questions, such as the recording of physiological signals, brain-imaging techniques, and the study of brain-damaged patients.

The module gives a grounding in methods, techniques and issues of cognitive psychology and allied disciplines. Focusing on vision, memory, higher-levels of cognition concerned with language and cognitive control, and methodology, it examines how cognitive processes are instantiated in mind and brain. It also provides an historical overview of the schools of thought that led to the inception of cognitive psychology as a distinct academic discipline.

This module introduces you to the major orientations and discoveries in the social psychology of group processes. The material covers both behaviour within groups (e.g. group structure, social influence, leadership, and group performance) and behaviour between groups (e.g. intergroup conflict and co-operation, social categorisation and social identity, and prejudice and its reduction). We analyse the basic mechanisms in groups that occupy the same position in the social structure in terms of power, status, and group size, as well as mechanisms that characterize asymmetric groups. There is a strong emphasis on social psychological theory being examined by systematic empirical research. Teaching is by lectures and seminars with additional practical demonstrations from time to time.

This module introduces you to the major theories and research in the social psychology of interpersonal behaviour. The emphasis throughout is on social cognition, and three main areas will be considered: social cognition and the self, attitudes (including attitude-behaviour relations, attitude change and persuasion), and interpersonal relationships. There is a strong emphasis on social psychological theory and systematic empirical research in both field and laboratory settings.

In this year you undertake a placement within an organisation that delivers a form of psychological or related service, such as the Health Service, Home Office, Education Department or Speech and Language Therapy Services. You may also undertake a research placement, so long as the work is clearly relevant to psychology. During this time your work will be under the joint supervision of an academic member of staff and a supervisor within the placement setting. The placement is typically 30 weeks in duration, and starts in September at the latest. While on placement you submit monthly blog entries and/or keep a diary where you reflect on your experiences on the placement. Under the supervision of the placement supervisor and the Kent academic tutor, you also complete a research project (including either empirical work or an extensive literature review to summarise how the latest psychology research can inform practice in the placement environment). You are typically on placement four days a week, and the fifth day is dedicated to completing coursework (reflective diary and project). You also attend regular 'Back to Kent' days, when you return to the University and meet with one other placement students and the Placement Year Co-ordinator to discuss your experiences.

In this year you undertake a placement within an organisation that delivers a form of psychological or related service, such as the Health Service, Home Office, Education Department or Speech and Language Therapy Services. You may also undertake a research placement, so long as the work is clearly relevant to psychology. During this time your work will be under the joint supervision of an academic member of staff and a supervisor within the placement setting. The placement is typically 30 weeks in duration, and starts in September at the latest. While on placement you submit monthly blog entries and/or keep a diary where you reflect on your experiences on the placement. Under the supervision of the placement supervisor and the Kent academic tutor, you also complete a research project (including either empirical work or an extensive literature review to summarise how the latest psychology research can inform practice in the placement environment). You are typically on placement four days a week, and the fifth day is dedicated to completing coursework (reflective diary and project). You also attend regular 'Back to Kent' days, when you return to the University and meet with one other placement students and the Placement Year Co-ordinator to discuss your experiences.

This module complements the focus of the BSc degree on basic (fundamental) psychological research by providing training in applied psychology. It equips you with an understanding of what is meant by applied psychology, of the domains in which psychology can be applied (e.g., in business, education, health, and the law), and decision rules governing applied psychology such as the balance between the cost and risks inherent in an intervention and its benefits. It introduces you to ethical, logistical, and methodological challenges in applied psychology. You also learn about the history and philosophy of applied psychology, for example contrasting humanistic and behaviourist approaches to intervention, and a consideration of the role of socially constructed 'value' in the application of science (for example, how prejudices against homosexuality as a 'problem' warranting psychological intervention have waxed and waned according to prevailing social values).

All students are required to carry out a piece of psychological research on a specific topic, and to then present it as a report that adheres to the conventions of academic Psychology.

The course introduces the concept of psychopathology and presents a range of models currently used in clinical research and practice to understand and treat psychological problems. It provides opportunities for exploring ways in which specific problems such as anxiety, depression and schizophrenia are understood from medical, cognitive behavioural and systemic orientations, and encourages you to compare and contrast these approaches.

Topics covered include:

- Overview of clinical psychology, historical and current clinical and service issues.

- Social Inequalities, mental health and mental health services.

- Childhood autism and early intervention.

- Working with people with profound and multiple learning disabilities.

- Behavioural interventions in learning disabilities.

- Issues in community care.

- Women and mental health.

- Advances in clinical behaviour analysis.

- Clinical psychology training.

This module tackles a variety of hot and/or critical topics in cognitive psychology, building upon the theories and research assimilated at Stages 1 and 2. The goal of the tutor or tutors, experts on their topics, is to bring you to a more advanced level, where you can start to evaluate pieces of research in terms of their findings, conceptual underpinnings and/or methodological choices. This year, the focus is on free will and metacognition, looking in particular at the extent to which we control, or feel we control, cognitive processes such as decision-making, attention, and memory. Practical applications and relevance to a general understanding of behaviour are emphasised throughout.

Developmental psychology aims to understand the developmental trajectory of psychological processes involved in human thought, action, behaviour and emotion. The underlying premise of this field is that a fuller understanding of any psychological phenomena becomes available once we explain when and how it develops. The main purpose of this module is to critically review recent research into key topics within advanced developmental psychology (e.g. social development, the development of prejudice, children as witnesses, the development of mindreading and learning from others). Through such an examination we will be a good position to understand the questions, issues and controversies that are at the forefront of research in developmental psychology

This module will builds upon the cognitive theories and research methods explored at stages 1 and 2. It focuses on several forms of neurological deficit, each of which affects a different domain of cognition. You learn about how different strands of neuroscientific research, relating to behaviour, cognition, anatomy, and physiology, have both advanced our understanding of human neuropsychology, and informed on the design of relevant intervention strategies.

This module offers an opportunity to learn about the methods, techniques and issues involved in the study of language and communication. The emphasis is on theory as the foundation of an empirical discipline and the importance of scientific methodology. It will highlight the interplay between theory, research and application in the study of language and communication, focusing on core theories and research.

This module offers an in-depth examination of the theoretical and applied aspects of forensic psychology. It examines the development of laws and the principles on which the judicial system is founded; street gangs and career criminals; police and forensic profilers' responses to offending; eyewitness credibility; the police interview process; the role of juries; sentencing; the aims of punishment and how prisoners respond to it; theories of rehabilitation, and the implementation of the sex offender treatment programme. Research and research methods in forensic psychology are presented and critically evaluated. You will be encouraged to critique the literature and methodologies to further your understanding of the core forensic issues the course presents.

This module provides an introduction to important issues in learning disabilities. We examine definitions and attitudes to people with for example, Down's Syndrome. We explore a number of particular difficulties that people with learning disabilities experience, including communicating, establishing social and sexual relationships, and some of the resultant problems, such as sexual abuse and challenging behaviour. Finally, we consider the most recent social policy initiatives, with a focus on how services might implement policy objectives (such as social inclusion and adult protection).

If you are considering a career working with people, this module offers a great opportunity to have direct and personal contact with service users in a supportive context. It involves you in a project based on interviews with people with learning disabilities. There are teaching sessions on research, interview construction, recording and analysis. Practical work involves visiting a person with learning disabilities at their place of work and conducting a recorded interview with due regard to ethical and consent issues. A series of clinics designed to assist you in analysis, interpretation and presentation of the project work will follow.