Psychology BSc Honours

The module considers human psychology and behaviour from a biological perspective. The module assumes no prior knowledge and provides a basic introduction into the breadth of psychobiology, neurology, psychophysiology and related areas. This includes introductory level neuroanatomy and physiology, progressing to higher organisation of the nervous system and functional anatomy. Also introduced are basic physiology, the biological bases of behaviour and learning, nociception, control systems and the fundamentals of evolution and genetics.

The study of 'thinking' and how people process the world around them and interact with it forms a core topic in psychology, namely cognition. This module provides you with a broad overview of the key themes in Cognitive Psychology, including memory, attention, sensation and perception (including object recognition, imagery), learning theory, language and problem solving. Teaching will include both formal lectures and hands-on activities to provide insight into how research into cognition is carried out.

This module provides a broad-based, contemporary view of developmental Psychology taking a lifespan approach. It explores key topics such as attachment, language development and aging. The module includes the interacting contributions of biology and the environment to the developing person, and their social context throughout the lifespan.

Considers topics in the field of psychological individual differences, eg personality, psychological testing, intelligence, cognitive style, emotion, motivation, mood, mental health, gender and ethnicity. There is a focus on topics, models and issues currently seen as well supported by empirical evidence, important in the field, and for applied practice. Teaching and learning methods include lectures, practical workshops, seminars and independent study.

Introduction to: psychological research using methodologies drawn from qualitative and quantitative research; the principles underlying quantitative and qualitative data analysis; the ethical issues relating to research; use of statistical software; reporting psychological investigations. Data collected from investigations within the module and in other level 4 modules will be used to teach data analysis. The inherent variability and diversity of psychological measures will be made explicit.

This module provides a broad introduction to social psychology and the study of how individuals think, feel, and behave in a social context. Specific topics include an introduction to social perception (including the self-concept, elements of social perception, and stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination). You'll also learn about the impact of social influence (including conformity and obedience, attitudes and persuasion, and group influence) and social relationships (attraction and close relationships, helping behaviour, and aggression). As part of this module, you'll also develop your academic essay-writing skills.

In this module, you'll gain deeper knowledge of key areas of Cognition and Biological Psychology by focussing on selected topics an exploring the reciprocal relationship between brain, mind and behaviour. Selecting examples of study areas such as memory and stress, you'll examine cognitive theories and their link to physiology, supported by evidence from a range of approaches encompassing behavioural, neuropsychological, imaging and biological research.

This module will give you a valuable opportunity to engage in 35 hours of work-based learning activities. Gaining practical experience for example, in a relevant work-based setting or equivalent offers you the opportunity to cultivate transferable skills for career success. Applied settings may include supporting individuals dealing with mental health issues, brain injuries, or dementia, working in hospitals, social services, the criminal justice system, or befriending and assisting children in schools. In cases where securing a physical volunteer placement proves challenging, you can utilise your current paid employment, provided your role aligns with the Graduate Attributes. Alternatively, you can participate in a series of online distance learning virtual activities, ensuring flexibility and diverse avenues for experiential learning.

This module will develop your competence in collecting and coding qualitative data by acquiring interviewing skills and by developing your skills in coding transcript data. You'll also develop skills in designing, analysing, and interpreting the results of experiments with more than two conditions, and survey designs involving multiple predictors.

This module will develop an understanding of aspects of self and society as addressed from social and developmental psychology perspectives. Key theoretical ideas will be considered in conjunction with how research is addressing contemporary societal issues. You'll also conduct a research report using qualitative methods and analysis.

This module focusses on understanding psychological differences from multiple perspectives and the value of diversity in the global context. It examines the two-way relationship between biological and social factors in human development. It also explores how differences between individuals, and between groups of people, are largely socially constructed, resulting in prejudice and discrimination.

Emotions are not just a private matter. This module explores the centrality of emotions to interpersonal and social life such as love, shame and anger. It examines theories which challenge our assumptions that emotions are solely psychological cognitive states. It will offer alternative models which make the case that emotions emerge out of the social relations in which you are experienced, and are thus tied to social inequalities of gender, class and race. The module includes a reflective assessment, in the form of an individual interactive ‘interview’, which addresses how the sociology of emotions can be used to transform professional practice for psychology, counselling and sociology.

This module provides an in depth understanding of the cognitive and neuronal mechanisms that underlie a range of mind-body therapeutic interventions, e.g. mindfulness, focusing, yoga, cognitive behavioural therapy, neurofeedback. You'll use an evidence-based approach to explain and evaluate how the connection between mind and brain can be modulated to bring about positive outcomes in specific conditions, groups and populations.  While this will include a historical context and the traditional therapeutic application of these interventions, you'll also explore the breadth of ways in which they can be applied to other populations and settings, for example in schools, or for creative artists.

This module offers you an opportunity to gain an understanding about the how Psychological research shapes the world around us and how it makes a difference in real world contexts. The module provides examples of staff journeys into research, why and how they became academics, and the difference their research has made in the real world. This module uses the psychological research being carried out in the Department of Psychology at the University of Westminster as a context within which to develop your understanding of key research activities such as planning research, research funding, impact, and knowledge exchange.

Climate change is both abstract and complex, and often feels like a problem our brains are hard-wired to ignore. Yet climate change is the result of human behaviours, and this places people and their actions at the centre of the crisis. This module will provide an interdisciplinary exploration of how people are conceptualising and responding to climate change. You'll examine this from the level of the individual, drawing on the psychology of attitudes, perceptions and behavioural change approaches, as well as from the level of group and societal level decision making processes, including policy issues and forums for decision making such as climate assemblies and international agreements.

The project module requires students to carry out their own piece of independent research under the guidance of a supervisor. The research topic chosen must be appropriate to psychology, involves empirical research, and is assessed in the form of a written report.

Focusing on the theory and practice of clinical psychology, a critical approach is taken towards the diagnosis and classification of mental illness, current aetiological theories and a range of clinical interventions used by clinical psychologist and other mental health professionals. Psychological disorders and conditions considered include: depression, suicidal behaviour, the psychoses, personality disorders, eating disorders, dissociative disorders and anxiety.

What happens when a part of the brain doesn't develop properly or becomes damaged by infection or injury? This module explores a range of conditions caused by brain lesions, asking how people's lives are transformed by them, how you assess them and how you treat them. Disorders examined will include those of memory, perception, thinking and language and the neuropsychological lesions underlying them.

This module investigates the nature and scope of Forensic Psychology in its broadest sense covering the entire UK criminal justice system processes and practices. Areas covered include psychological theories of crime; eyewitness memory and testimony; police interviewing techniques; psychological theories relating to sexual violence; the treatment of sex offenders and vulnerable offenders; and mental health in prison and probation contexts. Some content will vary from year to year, dependent on the availability of guest speakers.

This module considers the interdisciplinary and applied nature of health psychology, exploring biological, psychological and socio-cultural determinants of health and illness. Topics include approaches to health and illness behaviour, management of long-term conditions, health-care communication, stress and wellbeing. Emphasis is given to an evidence and practice-based approach.

This module aims to explore how psychological theory and research has been applied to teaching and learning in formal settings from pre-school to university. Key topics include: Theories of teaching and learning, assessment, schooling, literacy, inclusion, bullying, motivation, educational neuroscience and critical pedagogy. The module addresses how the work of educational psychologists, speech and language therapists and teachers is informed by empirical research.

This module is focused on how issues concerned with sex may impact on people's lives. There will be an emphasis on integrating the dimension of sexualities. You'll explore the meaning of sex as part of the human condition and the development of relationship with one’s personhood. You'll have the opportunity to explore theory and application of sex therapy through concepts such as the bio-psycho-social model, the therapeutic alliance, clinical case studies and various therapeutic modalities.