Developmental Psychology

A range of analytical techniques, both written and practical, that are standard in professional practice in psychological research will be taught. With emphasis on quantitative observation, students will explore a core set of analytic methods through a combination of lectures and practical workshops, and will learn how to apply statistical tests, such as ANOVA, correlation and regression, and t-tests, in a variety of settings. Problem solving skills will be honed by learning how to define the link between observed outcomes and psychological effects in a wide range of contexts.

Students with be equipped with the capacity to confidently identify the appropriate technique for analysing data across a wide range of investigation types, applying the R statistical software to their own research. They will reinforce decision making and evaluation skills through examining different forms of evidence, and gain experience in presenting and interpreting findings effectively in a journal-style short report.

This module builds on 'Analysing and Interpreting Psychological Data I' by further developing the ability to conduct and present quantitative data analysis techniques through a combination of lectures and workshops, using R statistical software. Practical exercises will draw upon observations taken from real psychological data to develop flexibility and the capacity for critical thinking in the application of analytic skills. Statistical techniques will include modelling approaches such as (general) linear models and (generalised) linear mixed-effects models due to their power, flexibility and accuracy across the widest range of applications in psychological science.

Students will develop an understanding of developmental psychology research, methods and theories that apply when working with children. A wide range of approaches used in contemporary research in psychology will be addressed, and there will be focus on different theoretical assumptions underlying individual research techniques.Expanding on elements previously introduced at undergraduate level, this module examines the various stages of developmental change and includes a balance of historic and contemporary methods such as ERP and Near-infrared spectroscopy. Students will gain a working knowledge of how to implement different types of research procedure and learn how to write within the conventions implemented by the American Psychological Association in how to publish a research article.

Students will learn about the ethics which are required for events involving children, and, after submitting their own ethics proposal, will conduct independent research on a matter of their choice in order to contribute with other students in the ‘Hot Topic Debate’.

This module will give students the opportunity to apply their research and professional skills in an independent investigation. Students will focus in depth on a particular psychological question, and develop theoretical understanding of research methods to investigate that question. They will then communicate their findings in a report equivalent in standard to a published article in a professional psychology journal.

While carrying out research on the dissertation topic, students will develop essential skills in the critical evaluation of research literature. During the dissertation itself, they will independently complete the development and testing of a hypothesis, the design and construction of study and test materials, and the collection or collation of data relevant to testing their hypotheses. Students shall also determine the appropriate use of analytic methods, interpret and successfully communicate their research findings.

By the end of the dissertation, the students will have used empirical methods to collect original data or to select, prepare, and analyse secondary data; conducted appropriate analyses of the data; shown an understanding of the research findings and presented that understanding effectively.

This module offers an exploration into a wide range of research approaches used in contemporary psychological research. It enables students to expand their existing knowledge of theoretical ideas, emphasising research techniques as well as their implementation. Students will develop a professional writing style in accordance with the American Psychology Association, learn how to write an ethics proposal associated with a particular research design and gain a working knowledge of how to implement different types of research procedure. In addition, the module will enhance students’ ability to differentiate between the benefits of qualitative and quantitative design, as well as understanding the staples of psychological research, including reliability and validity, importance of ethical issues and research methods such as oculomotor, questioning and observation.

All elements of this module are assessed through a range of coursework, with a large portion deriving from article writing. Due to its literary nature, participation in this module will help increase the student’s probability of becoming a published author in psychology.

The module aims to examine a range of developmental disorders and, through description and analysis, consider the clinical continuum of early detection, diagnosis and therapeutic intervention. The module also aims to foster the ability to synthesise and integrate concepts across specific disorders, and to consider the appropriate level of explanation and methodological approach for understanding atypical cognitive development.

By means of reviewing key, up-to-date publications, students will be exposed to the most recent theories and methodologies that bear upon this continuum. The main thrust of these reviews will be to foster a critical, but constructive, attitude to the ways in which psychologists can contribute to a better understanding of developmental disorders in general.

This module involves a self-directed literature review, undertaken by the student on a psychological topic of their own choosing, under expert supervision. Students will be encouraged to develop an in-depth knowledge of a specific area of psychological research. This will include both classic theories and studies in the area, as well as up-to-date knowledge of current approaches and recent research findings.

Students will engage and develop skills in literature searching, in addition to the understanding they will gain in evaluating evidence, summarising findings from primary sources, and drawing conclusions on the basis of existing research. Students will obtain the practical knowledge and experience required to use electronic and other forms of library resources to identify published research in psychology, and will be aware of different traditions of theory and research in their chosen topic area.

Paired lectures and seminars will cover a wide range of indicative topics, including auditory and visual languages, psycholinguistic programmes and the subliminal power of advertising such as non-conscious effects, persuasion and emotional appeals.

Students will advance their skills in the critical examination of empirical evidence and theoretical arguments. They will examine the main cognitive psychological factors that impact on advertising success, ranging from lower-level perceptual, attentional and memory processes through to higher-level interpretational and inferential processes.

In addition, this module provides an understanding of the psychology of advertising from both a developmental and adult perspective, while also examining methodological issues associated with the study of child and adult cognition.