H6IPSYCH - Introduction to Psychology

Module Code: H6IPSYCH
Long Title Introduction to Psychology
Title Introduction to Psychology
Module Level: LEVEL 6
EQF Level: 5
EHEA Level: Short Cycle
Credits: 10
Module Coordinator: David Mothersill
Module Author: Lynn Farrell
Departments: School of Business
Specifications of the qualifications and experience required of staff

Lecturer with PhD in Psychology or related cognate discipline
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Articulate the nature and content of psychology
LO2 Describe and explain the basic principles and issues in the study of different aspects of human behaviour
LO3 Show evidence of an ability to identify and explain contemporary and historical theories, research and/or principles related to the content
LO4 Explain the role that psychology plays in applied settings
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is required before enrolment on this module. While the prior learning is expressed as named NCI module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Entry requirements  
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Welcome, discovering Psychology
• Areas of psychology
Historical roots of psychology
• Philosophical influences • Psychology as a science • Key debates in Psychology
Biological psychology
• The nervous system • Brain and behaviour • Sensation and Perception
Behaviourism
• Learning • Classical and operant conditioning • Derived relating as an operant
Health Psychology
• Stress and health • Models of health • Health behaviours
Mental Health
• What is abnormal behaviour? • Perspectives on classification and causes of psychological disorders • Treatment Approaches
Social Psychology
• Social thinking - attitudes • Social influence – conformity and obedience • Social relations – prejudice
The Psychology of Gender
• Differentiating between sex and gender • The impact of Gender Roles and Stereotypes
Developmental Psychology
• Childhood cognitive development • Theory of Mind
Cognitive psychology
• Memory, attention, remembering and forgetting • Memory and eyewitness testimony
Personality
• Trait theories • Psychodynamic approach • Humanistic approach • Assessment of personality
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Coursework
Assessment Type: CA 1 % of total: 50
Assessment Date: Every Second Week Outcome addressed: 1,2,3,4
Non-Marked: No
Assessment Description:
Essay based on elements of the material covered to date
Assessment Type: CA 2 % of total: 50
Assessment Date: n/a Outcome addressed: 1,2,3,4
Non-Marked: No
Assessment Description:
Group presentation based on groupwork within clinical/health psychology
No End of Module Assessment
No Workplace Assessment
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.
Reassessment Description
Students must attempt both assessment components or they will fail the module outright. If a student fails the module overall, they will be required to complete a repeat assessment essay that covers learning outcomes 1-4. Essay titles will be drawn from content covered across the module (weeks 1-13).

NCIRL reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Module Target Workload Hours 0 Hours
Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Description Hours Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture Classroom and demonstrations 3 Every Week 3.00
Independent Learning Independent learning 16.8 Every Week 16.80
Tutorial Mentoring and small-group tutoring 1 Every Week 1.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Workload Description Hours Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture per week 2 Once per semester 0.17
Independent Learning No Description 8.5 Every Week 8.50
Total Weekly Contact Hours 0.17
 

Module Resources

Recommended Book Resources
  • Plotnik, R & Kouyoumdjian, H.. (2014), Introduction to Psychology, 10. Wadsworth Cengage, Belomnt: CA, [ISBN: 9781133939535].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Susan Nolen-Hoeksema. Atkinson and Hilgard's Introduction to Psychology, Thomson Learning, [ISBN: 1844807282].
  • Gerrig , R.J, Zimbardo, P.G., Svatdal, F., Brennen, T., Donaldson, R. & Archer, T.. (2012), Psychology and Life, Pearson.
  • Richard Gross. (2010), Psychology, Hodder Education, London, [ISBN: 144410831X].
  • Nigel Holt. Psychology, Mcgraw Hill Higher Education, [ISBN: 9780077136406].
  • Jeffrey S. Nevid. Psychology, Wadsworth Publishing, [ISBN: 9781111835491].
  • Daniel L. Schacter. Psychology, Worth Publishers, [ISBN: 1429237198].
Supplementary Article/Paper Resources
  • Taylor & Francis Online. Journal of Psychology, [ISSN: 1940-1019].
  • Wiley Online Library. British Journal of Psychology, [ISSN: 2044-8295].
  • American Psychological Association. Journal of Applied Psychology, [ISSN: 1939-1854].
  • Taylor & Francis Group. International Journal of Psychology, [ISSN: 1464-066X].
Other Resources
  • [Website], http://www.psihq.ie/.
  • [Website], http://psychology.about.com/.
  • [Website], www.interscience.wiley.com/jpages.
  • [Website], www.sciencedirect.com.
Discussion Note: