Advances in Modern Psychology

On completion of this module, you will be better prepared to:

• analyse historical theories of the mind;
• critically compare different approaches to studying current-day psychological phenomena;
• identify primary sources appropriate to at least two key areas in psychology;
• apply key concepts, statistical analysis, critical thinking and analytical skills to the design of psychological research projects;
• critically reflect on learning experiences and the development of academic and research skills.

We will cover aspects of the following topics:

• history of psychology;
• recent developments in cognitive psychology;
• designing research in psychology;
• neuropsychology, brain disorders and mental health;
• psychology of love and attraction;
• the acquisition of language;
• criminal psychology;
• mindfulness and psychological wellbeing;
• artificial Intelligence from the perspective of psychology. 

The sessions will be delivered via a variety of teaching methods, including lecture sections delivered by the module lead, group discussions about set topics, combined with training sessions which relate to the assessments, such as on report- and essay-writing, data collection and contributing productively to class debate.

Additionally, you will have the opportunity to conduct a psychology lab experiment, and take part in mini-quizzes and psychometrics typically used by psychologists. These will be supplemented by in-class discussions with your peers on your weekly learning of preparatory tasks.

Formative feedback from the module leader will be delivered during class exercises and in class time.

You will submit your written summative assessments through the module Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), for which written feedback will be supplied within two weeks of completion. Summative assessment and feedback will be returned with a disclaimer that marks may be modified by later markers or external examiners.

• Coursework: Critically evaluate how two different research designs in psychology could be improved. Individual written assignment (500 words). Submitted after the end of autumn term. (15%)
• Coursework: Research proposal group presentation (10 mins), in spring term. (35%)
• Coursework: Personal reflection: 10 participation entries (120-150 words per entry). Five per term, both submitted after the end of each term. Individual written assignment. (50%)

Work in pairs, to compare and contrast two different types of research design in psychology. You will complete an individual, summative 500-word written task on how each can be improved. Submitted after the end of autumn term.

Research proposal group presentation (10 mins), in spring term. Work in a small group, to produce a presentation on a feasible student-level psychology project.

For students who cannot take part in the group presentation due to approved mitigating circumstances or reasonable adjustments, an alternative assessment will be offered. This alternative assessment may involve a recorded presentation of up to five minutes, based on five psychology research articles, and is marked using the same criteria as the group presentation.

• Requirements: You are expected to attend all classes and undertake approximately 85 hours of independent study in total during the module. Independent study includes reading and preparation for classes, researching and writing coursework assignments and preparing for other assessments.
• This module is designed as an undergraduate Level 5 module. For an explanation of levels, view the Imperial Horizons Level Descriptors page.‌

Module materials

Module materials will be accessible via Imperial's Library Services.