Social Psychology & Individual Differences 1 - PSY00016C
Module will run
Occurrence | Teaching period |
---|---|
A | Semester 1 2025-26 |
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 | 50 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
Task | % of module mark |
---|---|
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 50 |
Essay/coursework | 50 |
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.