Psychology (First Year Taught at Salford City College)

This module introduces the methods which are used in psychology and related fields. Statistical concepts and the quantitative methods which they underpin are taught alongside qualitative methods. The module builds knowledge which is important in interpreting the research papers you will read over the course of your degree as well as providing the foundation for skills which you will need in order to conduct your own research projects.

You will be introduced to key factors in human development including social, emotional, cognitive and biological foundation, as well as how children learn to talk. Within social psychology you will look at how individuals perceive, influence and interact with others, including through verbal and non-verbal communication.

This module introduces the study of personality, intelligence, gender and mental health. Understanding these differences can be applied later in your studies to understand, for example, why some children learn language faster than others, or why men’s and women’s language use is sometimes so different.

You will be introduced to the basic biological processes and cognitive principles necessary for understanding human psychology. Language is a key cognitive skill, and this module covers topics such as reading and listening, automatic word identification, resolving linguistic ambiguities, and aphasia.

You will explore methodological principles in psychology, through scientific enquiry and practice.

Explore applied topics like ageing, physical and mental health, cognition, and the impact of environments on happiness. Enjoy autonomy as you direct your own learning, culminating in a research study that allows you to delve deeper into the fascinating realm of happiness psychology. 

Uncover the relevance of psychological principles across diverse real-world contexts, offering practical insights applicable to various areas. Elevate your skills as a critical thinker and problem solver, honing research and analysis abilities crucial for navigating the complexities of the modern world. 

This multi-faceted module equips you with the knowledge and skills essential for both academic and professional excellence. Not only will you enhance your understanding of research but also lays the groundwork for a successful Level 6 dissertation and a flourishing graduate career. 

Building on your first-year knowledge, you'll further unravel the mysteries of human and non-human animal behaviour through a greater knowledge of the field of Biological Psychology. Topics range from the biological bases of behaviour to neuropsychology, genetics, and evolutionary psychology, offering a comprehensive and captivating exploration of this field. 

Elevate your understanding of cognition with this advanced module. Immerse yourself in a world of empirical studies and contemporary theoretical models, to further enhance your expertise into such concepts as perception, learning, memory, language, and thinking and gain insights that bridge theory and practical application. 

Further expand your knowledge of the depth and relevance of Developmental Psychology in understanding children and adolescents. Improve your skills by focussing on research techniques specific to this sub-field and witness the real-world impact as you apply module content to policy and professional practice. 

Explore the rich history, theoretical frameworks, and methodologies of personality and intelligence. Consider diverse approaches, from trait-based and humanistic to cognitive and biological, providing a comprehensive overview and enabling you to apply your insights to real-world case studies. 

Extend your knowledge of Social Psychology through the consideration of ten areas for enhanced focus. These encompass aspects of both intergroup and interpersonal social functioning and provide basis from which to design and execute your own choice of mini research project. 

Further master the skills of research design and execution. Elevate your statistical ability to interpret complex results, including multivariate analysis, effect size, and confidence intervals. Dive further into the world of qualitative analysis, grasping methods like grounded theory, interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), and conversational analysis. 

This module will introduce you to the field of Environmental Psychology, exploring current and seiminal research in key areas of human-environment interrelationships. Topics may include: 

The psychological significance of place; climate change denial and activism; psychologically informed architecture; media, politics and the environment. 

Further unlock the power of programming, as you’re introduced to Python and PsychoPy for designing experiments in Psychology and neuroscience. Develop practical skills in programming, data processing, and visualisation to gain a competitive edge in the job market. 

This module expands further on the study of Cognitive Psychology, allowing you to develop knowledge of how to carry out an empirical investigation and gain a critical understanding of the use of equipment to help answer important questions in the field. 

Extending on earlier Individual Differences modules, further advance your understanding of a range of specialist areas and corresponding statistical techniques. These sub-disciplines will provide you with a deep knowledge of how personality develops and manifests across the life span in a range of unique contexts. 

This introductory module will allow you to apply previously learned psychological theory to understand criminal behaviour and associated psychological problems associated with offending. Sessions will also provide an insight into investigation processes used by the police, as well as the wider criminal justice system and the role of forensic psychologists and related employment pathways. 

This optional module invites students with a passion for Social Psychology to apply their expertise to explore the frontiers of newly emerging theory in this field, to recognise its role in everyday phenomena, to make explicit the impact of others on our behaviour, as well as to consider its expansion to the applied field of Political Psychology. 

In this module, you will explore psychologists' understanding of consciousness, with a particular focus on the biological and neuroscientific study of consciousness. You will explore questions such as; What is consciousness? What can changes to conscious states teach us? How can the study of consciousness contribute to the understanding of mental health? And could machines become conscious? 

You will carry out a large-scale empirical research project on a topic of your choice. The range of skills you develop as you navigate the process of research design, applying for ethical approval, recruiting participants and carrying out your research, performing appropriate analysis, and writing up your work will be invaluable in any workplace. 

This module will provide students with the skills required to be an effective professional. Students will reflect on their career aspirations, their own wellbeing and that of others within the workplace. 

This module explores what it’s like for children growing up with various conditions like autism spectrum disorder, Down’s syndrome, deafness, and developmental language disorder, and well as the impact on development of growing up in adverse environments such as poverty.

This module examines in detail the relationships between behaviour and the nervous system. You will explore these relationships through the consideration of key topics in the field of neuroscience, including learning, psychopharmacology, brain damage, organic brain disorder and mental health.

During this module, you will learn to apply theories and methodologies from cognitive psychology to real-world behaviour. You will explore the influence of emotional processing on human cognition and performance and reflect on the optimal conditions for thinking and decision-making.

Develops your understanding of the relevance of psychology to education and provides opportunities to apply psychological theory and principles in the field of education and professional practice.

An applied module which will introduce you to offender profiling, lie detection techniques and psychological theories of criminal behaviour; guest speakers have included a serving chief investigating officer, a forensic psychologist and a probation officer.

This module explores the effects that exposure to media has on people, as well as how people process information from media. It looks at advertisement, persuasion, news journalism, social media and internet use, including the use of metaphors in the media. It also covers conversation analysis and discursive psychology.

A practitioner based module which will provide you with a tour of relevant theories and topics (including stress, selection techniques and change at work), as well as an assessment opportunity to apply these in real-world settings, including your own experience in the workplace.

This module aims to introduce you to the concepts, theory, methods and applications of health psychology. It is concerned with the psychological aspects of physical illness, their treatment and management as well as what it is that keeps people healthy and well.

development including autism spectrum disorders; fetal alcohol spectrum disorders; attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, etc. It also covers interventions for these disorders.

The psychology of serial homicide, mass shooting, and terrorism. The module also explores the neurodevelopmental and psychosocial risk factors in serial killers and mass shooters, the pathway to intended violence in such extreme cases of violence and the neuropsychodynamics of individuals who commit serial homicide and single homicide.

A new module which considers the role of psychology in a global context. You will have the opportunity to use your psychological knowledge to explore the issues of the day.

You will explore conceptualisations of mental health, explanations of mental health, legal and social ramifications of mental ill health, the range of conditions treated within psychiatry, and therapeutic modalities and agencies. You will also think about the language used in the field, such as the shift from talking about ‘abnormal psychology’ to less stigmatising terms, and also the linguistic origins of the terms used to describe mental health conditions.

You have the opportunity to undertake a work placement where you will be able to put what you've learnt into practice.