This module provides an introduction to biological psychology, to
allow learners to gain knowledge of key structures in the brain and
nervous system and of how the brain and nervous system
influence human thoughts, feelings and behaviour. The biological
basis of human behaviour is a core component in the field of
psychology. Knowledge of the neurophysiology of the nervous
system and how it affects and is affected by behaviour and the
environment in which that behaviour takes place, provides
learners with a fundamental starting point to understanding
human behaviour. In the sense that all behaviour is initiated in the
central nervous system, this module underpins all subsequent
modules in this programme.

This module enables learners to demonstrate knowledge of the
theory, concepts and ideas underpinning developmental and
social psychology. An introduction to theories and research in
developmental and social psychology, covering selected aspects of
perceptual, motor and cognitive development, issues of social
influence, social thinking and social and emotional development,
in childhood, adolescence and adulthood, will underpin all aspects
of the programme. An understanding of developmental and social
psychology will allow learners to become more aware of thoughts,
feelings and behaviours; more aware of themselves and others.

This module is an introduction to the core ideas in modern
Cognitive Psychology. It provides an insight into human cognitive
processes including acquisition, storage and processing of
information, thinking, working memory, long-term memory,
perception and language. Cognitive Psychology is a core area
within the scientific study of Psychology. This module is the first in
a continuum in the area of Cognitive Psychology and presents the
foundations of cognition. Here learners will also engage with
evidence-based research to promote critical thinking skills
necessary in the study of psychology

This module examines the range of psychological theory and
research on individual differences in personality and intelligence.
The module introduces learners to the approaches of
psychoanalytic theorists and behaviourists, as well as the
phenomenological and social-cognitive approaches to the study of
personality. The study of personality and intelligence is core to
the study of psychology and this is a fundamental module to the
programme. The content of this module supports and
complements many other modules. It adds to the knowledge
breadth of the learners and enhances their critical thinking skills.

This module is an introduction to the scientific method used in
psychology and provides the basis for presenting and
understanding research as the scientific approach of psychologists
and other social scientists. Research Methods and Ethics is a
fundamental area of study in Psychology. This module enables
learners to develop the core skills necessary to understand
research design and ethical issues when conducting their own
research projects in later advanced research modules: 205:
Statistics and Psychological Laboratories in Year 2 and 304:
Independent Research Project in Year 3

This module will introduce learners to the idea that while
philosophers and psychologists have explored many of the same
ideas throughout the course of history, they have explored the
nature of the mind in different ways. Through this module the
learners will acquire knowledge of the history of psychology, and
will understand the similarities and differences between the
philosophical and the psychological thinkers and their major ideas,
that have reoccurred throughout history, such as the mind-body
problem and the relation between self and world. Learners will be
introduced to the history of Psychology, its foundations in
scientific and philosophical tradition and its impact on
contemporary society and culture.

This module will introduce learners to the personal and
professional skills and attitudes required to pursue an academic
qualification in psychology. It will equip learners with the core
skills, attitudes and strategies associated with meaningful study.
The module will also introduce learners to logic and scientific
thinking and allow them to build and apply critical thinking skills.
Understanding the requirements for successful study and gaining
competence and confidence in the often hidden aspects of
learning will enable learners to focus fully on the specific content
and requirements of other programme modules. Skills developed
here will enable learners to approach each academic aspect of the
programme skilfully, methodically, and with confidence.

This module provides a foundation in the key elements of
Montessori philosophy and learners will examine the application
of Montessori theory to all ages. The module examines the goals
of Montessori philosophy across what she described as ‘planes of
human development’. Montessori education focuses on personal
development and encourages mature, creative and socially adept
children. Some of her best insights about children and education
have only recently found a corresponding theoretical perspective
in the field of human development. The study of Montessori
philosophy complements many core aspects of psychology and
this module allows learners to make connections and to interlink
the disciplines of psychology and education.

This module introduces the developmental milestones associated
with early, middle, and late adulthood. Learners will investigate
the physical, cognitive, and socioemotional changes that occur
across a lifespan from birth to death. A wide range of topics
relevant to the psychology of ageing will be discussed, including
memory, social relationships, identity and personality, health,
successful aging, death and dying. The benefits of Montessori
methodology for Dementia and Ageing will be briefly discussed.
Psychology of Aging is important to many features of daily life,
from workplace and the family, to public policy matters. It is
complex, and new questions are continually raised about how
behaviour changes with age.

Learners will explore different theories of intelligence, cognition
and approaches to learning, problem solving, creativity and
contemporary approaches to learning and knowledge. Learners
will also investigate the relationship between emotion and
cognition. The philosophical influences on cognitive psychology
will be woven throughout. This module represents a natural
progression from module 103: Cognitive Psychology 1. It will allow
learners to expand on previous learning and to integrate
knowledge across modules.

This module will give learners a deeper insight into the ways in
which theory and research methods in personality, intelligence,
and individual differences have developed, sometimes in
competition and sometimes in cooperation. It offers learners the
opportunity to integrate knowledge on the major perspectives of
personality and to see how these perspectives may be applied to a
range of experimental, physiological, clinical, educational,
criminological and industrial psychological issues. The module will
also look at psychological measurement and the strengths and
limitations of psychometric measures including the design and
application of such measures.

Statistics and Psychological Laboratories advances the skills and
knowledge gained in module 105: Introduction to Research
Methods and Ethics. This module will enable learners to conduct
empirical psychological research in a laboratory setting and to
collect and analyse data using a range of statistical tests. An
understanding of how to collect, analyse and interpret
quantitative data is a core objective.

Psychology has a fundamental role in the field of education.
This module introduces learners to the field of educational
psychology. It provides learners with knowledge of theoretical
frameworks and psychological constructs as they apply to
education and the complementary aspects of teaching and
learning. The module will encourage learners to view
education as a lifelong process and learners will gain an
insight into current debates, literature and research in the
area of teaching and learning. Learners will challenge,
formalise and build on their prior knowledge of psychology,
relating it to the area of teaching and learning. They will
encounter the key psychological concepts, perspectives and
practices relating to two major complementary aspects of
educational practice: teaching and learning. They will look at
concrete issues involved in effective and inclusive teaching
and learning in schools and consider how psychological
concepts can be used as a basis for inclusive teaching, learning
and assessment strategies, informed by an understanding of
individual learner needs

The module offers the opportunity for deeper engagement with
the academic and critical thinking skills needed to progress across
the programme. It builds on module 107: APD 1. In particular
learners will develop their critical thinking skills and be
encouraged to put forward logical, evidence-based arguments and
to evaluate and critique others’ academic writing on the same
basis. Leaners will build on their existing knowledge of the
conventions of academic writing and develop their ability to
deliver an academic presentation. Learners at this stage are
expected to be proactive in the mastery of academic skills
necessary for success.

Research indicates that ‘creativity’ needs to be seen as a
capacity of human intelligence, rather than a subject or
event and that creativity should be stressed as a universal
capability (Prentice, 2000; Robson, 2012). This module will
inspire learners to view creativity, not only as artistic
creativity but also, for example, as critical thinking, creative
investigation and problem solving. Learners will reflect on
the ‘pedagogy of the arts’ and examine the potential of ‘arts
education’ to contribute to a wider range of creative life
skills, necessary for children in the 21 st century. The module will enable learners to recognise, cultivate and apply creative
thinking in their chosen area of study and to consider
character traits related to creativity, e.g. persistence,
curiosity, self- regulation and intrinsic motivation. This links
to the Applied Montessori Education strand of the
programme by looking more closely at the potential of ‘arts
education’ to contribute to a wider range of creative life
skills, necessary for children in the 21 st century. The
symbiotic relationship between creativity and critical
thinking is also an important concept where creativity is
disciplined by critical thinking and critical thinking is
expanded through recognition of its creative function.

This module builds on module 101: The Biological Bases of
Behaviour to further explore the psychological functions of
different brain areas. The module will support learners to discuss
and think critically about the relationship between behaviour and
brain function through the study of classic studies in
neuropsychology. The Biological basis of human behaviour are a
core component in the field of psychology and Neuropsychology
represents a fundamental application of this core component.
Neuropsychology also builds on other core modules in the
Psychology curriculum including cognitive psychology, individual
difference, developmental psychology and research methods. In
the sense that all behaviour is initiated in the central nervous
system, this module synthesises all previous modules in this
programme.

Knowledge of psychology is essential for teachers. The overall aim of this module is to address psychology as it relates to teaching and learning. Learners will investigate theories of cognition, learning and behaviour and evaluate how these theories influence teaching and learning. Learners will investigate how we gain information about the world, how it is stored and processed, how we solve problems, think and formulate language.

Mental Health and psychopathology describes the study of mental
illness or mental distress or the manifestation of behaviours and
experiences which may be indicative of mental illness or
psychological impairment. It is an area of study relevant to all
wishing to pursue careers in psychology. This module will
introduce learners the field of abnormal psychology and the
multiple factors involved in mental health. The module will offer
learners different approaches to explaining mental health and
wellbeing. It will further develop learners’ understanding of the
human brain and mind, by providing an opportunity to study what
happens when things go wrong (psychopathology).

This capstone module is an integrative and culminating module,
allowing learners to engage in independent research, showcasing
the skills and knowledge they have acquired across their
programme of study. Learners will produce a piece of research
demonstrating mastery of key skills in psychological research and
the attainment of graduate attributes. A capstone module is
closely linked to a learner’s personal and professional
development and conducting an empirical research project is a
fundamental aspect of any psychology degree. It is also a core condition for potential PSI accreditation. This module stresses the
application of the core modules of the programme and facilitates
professional skills such as critical thinking, problem solving,
creative thinking, communication, research, media literacy,
teamwork, planning, self-sufficiency, goal setting i.e. skills for
professional life. It facilitates personal growth in that learners
having completed their capstone module will have a sense of
achievement and can confidently progress to further study or
work.

This module will introduce learners to applied psychology in the
area of counselling and applied psychological therapy. It will cover
an introduction to counselling/ psychotherapeutic practice,
including the conditions which facilitate the therapeutic
relationship and the techniques that cross different models of
psychotherapy. The module aims to be practical in nature and will
emphasise the applications of each approach through the study of
real case scenarios/ case studies. The content will allow learners
to link knowledge across modules e.g. to modules 104 and 204:
Personality and Individual Differences 1&2 and modules 210 and
302: Adulthood and Ageing and Mental Health and
Psychopathology. It will provide the basis to progress to a higher
qualification degree in counselling and applied psychological
therapy.

Beyond knowledge of psychological theory and practice,
graduates in psychology who hope to practice in any of a range of
settings, whether clinical, community, organisational or private,
must develop a range of dispositions and skills conducive to best
ethical and professional practice. This module will allow learners
to improve their communication and reasoning skills and allow
them to see themselves as self-regulated, self-reflective life-long
learners. It will support learners in the development of a
professional identity through the introduction of a range of
practical and professional skills and attitudes relevant to possible
future study and work in the field of psychology. The module will
stress the importance of professional teamwork and legal and
ethical practice.

Building on the knowledge gained in the core areas of psychology,
learners will explore key concepts in the study and practice of
Special Needs Education, a core component in the health, care
and education of human beings and an applied area in psychology.
This module links both Montessori philosophy and psychology to
special needs education. It addresses the principles and issues
relating to the inclusion of children with special needs and will
enable learners to recognise, through the exploration and analysis
of evidence based research, the complex processes involved in
responding to and supporting the diverse needs of people with
special educational needs.