PC4006 - Personality and Social Psychology (2019/20)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2019/20 | ||||||||||||||||
| Module title | Personality and Social Psychology | ||||||||||||||||
| Module level | Certificate (04) | ||||||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 30 | ||||||||||||||||
| School | School of Social Sciences | ||||||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 300 | ||||||||||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2019/20(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
The aims of this module are to (1) provide students with an understanding of key theories and models of personality as explanations for individual behaviour along with social psychological theories which seek to understand individual behaviour in its wider social context; and (2) develop students’ understanding of how psychological explanations of individual differences and social behaviour can be applied to real world events and experiences. This knowledge and understanding will help students’ employment skills by enabling them to appreciate the different perspectives that are needed to fully understand individual behaviour in everyday life. The module also develops students’ understanding of some key principles underlying psychological research, which will facilitate progression to modules at Level 5. The aims of this module are aligned with the qualification descriptors within the Quality Assurance Agency’s Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.
Syllabus
Topics will be selected from the following broad subject areas.
Personality
Psychodynamic theories; humanistic theories; trait theories; behaviourist theories; biological basis of personality traits; personality and emotions; state motivation and motivational traits; needs, motives, personal strivings and goals; creativity. LO1,LO3,LO4
Social psychology
Social facilitation; social influence; conformity and obedience; pro-social behaviour; leadership; group decision-making; group processes; group productivity. LO2,LO3,LO4
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Students’ knowledge and understanding of the key concepts, theories and empirical evidence will be developed through lectures, small group discussions, and workshops (90 hours) and through guided use of learning resources, included web-based material and independent study (210 hours).
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will:
1. Have an understanding of key theoretical explanations of how personality characteristics are acquired and the role of nature and the environment in their development.
2. Have an understanding of the ways in which individual behaviour may be influenced by the social environment and social interaction.
3. Have developed an understanding of how individual and social behaviour can be investigated and theorised and applied to real world situations.
4. Have an understanding of the empirical basis of key psychological concepts and assumptions.
Assessment strategy
Summative assessment will be an essay (1500 words), an in-class MCQ test and a written exam. Formative assessment will be via a series of in-class and online tests during the module.
The module is passed with an average mark of 40% or greater.
Bibliography
CORE
Hogg, M.A. & Vaughan, G.M. (2013). Social psychology (7th edition). Harlow: Pearson.
Pervin, L.A. & Cervone, D. (2010). Personality: Theory and research (11th edition). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
ADDITIONAL
Chamorro-Premuzic, T. (2013). Personality and individual differences (2nd edition). Blackwell: Oxford.
Davey, G. (Ed.) (2014). Complete psychology (2nd edition). London: Hodder Education.
Maltby, J. Day, L. & MacAskill, A. (2013) Personality, individual differences and intelligence. Second Edition. Prentice Hall: Harlow.