Psychology of Human and Animal Behaviour

You will be introduced to key factors in human development including social, emotional, cognitive and biological foundation. Within social psychology, you will look at how individuals perceive, influence and interact with others. 

This module will provide a theoretical and practical understanding of human and animal interaction and the factors that influence human attitudes towards animals and the roles animals play in different human cultures. 

An introduction to statistics and research methods used in psychology

You will be introduced to the basic biological processes and cognitive principles necessary for understanding human psychology. 

An introduction to the study of personality, intelligence, gender and mental health. 

Students will make visits to different institutions to assess the animal behaviour in the real world, for example, a Zoo, a Farm, and Wildlife Park (to see deer during the “rutting season”). During these visits, students will be asked to carry a range of tasks related to animal behaviour measurement, assessment and interpretation. Following each visit, the students will have classroom-based feedback sessions to discuss the merits of different methods for practically assessing animal behaviour.

You will develop the skills learned in year one, designing, carrying out research and analysing your results.

You will explore the links between biological and cognitive processes and examine how this relationship influences performance in real-world contexts.

The aim of this module is to provide a theoretical and practical understanding of animal and human evolution. Students will learn about mechanisms of evolution, how this influences animal diversity, and the consequences for humans in terms of co-operation and conflict among societies.

Study the influences of nature and nurture on human developmental and gain practical experience of conduction social psychological research.

Explore the latest theories and research in personality and intelligence, gender differences, and mental health.

This module will provide students with knowledge of the structure and evolution of primate societies. It will inform students about primate distribution and the conservation priorities for primate species.

You will carry out a research project on a topic area of your interest. The range of skills you develop as you navigate the process of research design, completing an ethics form, recruiting participants and carrying out your research, performing appropriate analysis, and writing up your work, will be valuable any workplace.

This module provides students the opportunity to critically evaluate concepts in animal cognition. to learn research methodologies and complex scientific issues relating to the evolution of animal intelligence using a range of primary and secondary information sources.

This module on animal therapy will look at how psychologists might be involved in the treatment of animals with behaviour problems. Conversely, the modules also look at how animals are used in animal-assisted therapy for the treatment of human psychological and physical health problems.

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, aphasia/alexia, organic brain disorder, and mental health.

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.

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.

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. 

This module looks at the way evolution has shaped both the development and adaptation of groups of animals to their environments.

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.

Explore positive models of ageing and lifespan development in the 21st Century including: identity, physical and mental health, and the psycho-social implications of ageing.

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.

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.

Explore conceptualisations of mental health, explanations of mental health., the legal and social ramifications of mental ill health, the range of conditions treated within psychiatry and different therapeutic modalities and agencies.

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.

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