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Social Psychology & Individual Differences 1 - PSY00016C

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  • Department: Psychology
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2023-24

Module aims

Social Psychology & Individual Differences 1 addresses questions fundamental to our experiences of self and relationships. The overarching aim of this module is to provide an introduction to the broad issues, theories, and methods in social psychology and individual differences.

Module learning outcomes

  • To be able to explain the impact of groups on our own behaviour, and how they affect our perceptions of others who belong to different groups
  • To be able to outline and evaluate the problems of defining psychological disorders
  • To be able to explain the neurobiological and psychological underpinnings of a variety of mental disorders, including dissociative identity disorder, addictive behaviours, drug addiction, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive & related disorders, somatic symptom disorders and schizophrenia.
  • To be able to apply the basics of some therapeutic approaches to those facing mental difficulties.
  • Describe and compare different psychological research on how we develop a sense of self.

Module content

The module will comprise blocks of teaching as follows:

Social Relationships: Topics in this block will include belonging and ostracism, intergroup behaviours, prosocial behaviour.

Mental Health Issues (2 blocks): Topics in this block will include conceptions of normality, dissociative identity disorder, addictive behaviours, drug addiction, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive & related disorders, somatic symptom disorders and schizophrenia.

Self and Others: Topics include how we arrive at a sense of self, self-objectification and self-presentation, and self-esteem. The block will also start with a historical perspective of the self

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 50
Essay/coursework 30
Essay/coursework 20

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 62.5
Essay/coursework 37.5

Module feedback

The marks on all assessed work will be provided on e-vision.

Indicative reading

These are two of the most useful textbooks for this strand:

Hogg, M. A., & Vaughan, G. M., (2011) Social Psychology (6th ed.). Harlow, Essex: Pearson Education Limited.

Kring, Ann M (2016). Abnormal Psychology (13th ed.). Chichester; Wiley.



The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.