Forensic Psychology BSc (Hons)

This module is your introduction to social psychology. You will examine classic studies and theoretical models. We will introduce you to different research methods used in social psychology. As you learn about these methods, you will consider the ethical issues that can arise in psychological research. Topics you may look at include:

• Social influence
• Behaviours in groups
• Prejudice
• Bystander intervention
• Aggression

This module is your introduction to cognitive psychology. You will study its historical development and learn about the core theoretical models of the subject. We will look at the different research methods used in cognitive psychology including:

• Perception
• Attention
• Memory
• Language

On this module you will learn about biological psychology. You will start by exploring the historical development of the subject. You will then study the key concepts in structural and functional neuroanatomy, the study of the nervous system, and biological systems. We will also introduce you to the different research methods used in biological psychology.

On this module you will learn about experimental research design, including relevant methodological and ethical issues. You will also begin to develop practical research skills that will help you throughout your degree. This includes experiment programming and statistical analysis of quantitative data. In lab workshops you will be supported to run your own experiment and act as a participant in others.

On this module you will learn about the psychological research currently taking place at York St John University. Our staff will tell you about their research programmes, along with the philosophical assumptions and historical contexts underpinning that research. Current research topics may include:

• The cognitive neuroscience of language and memory
• Evolutionary psychology and aggression
• Neurodiversity and social interaction
• Children's cognitive development and educational psychology

This module is your introduction to developmental psychology. You will explore the history of the subdiscipline and its links to other areas of Psychology. We will look at the classic theories that aim to explain human development and the research methods that are used to study psychological change through childhood. You will also explore research methods that are used in study of developmental psychology and consider the ethics in the field.

This module is your introduction to the psychology of individual differences. You will learn about human variation through a focus on psychological concepts, including:

• Personality
• Intelligence
• Neurodiversity
• Mental health

You will explore alternative theoretical perspectives on individual differences as well as the research methods used in this field.

On this module you will continue your training in psychological research methods, developing the skills you need to undertake survey research. You will explore methodological and ethical issues relevant to conducting non experimental quantitative research. In lab workshops, you will further develop your statistical analysis skills and practise questionnaire and observational research design.

This module gives you practical experience of participating in ethically approved psychological research projects. You can choose to take part in lab-based and online studies run by final year dissertation students, postgraduate students and academic staff. This helps you gain an understanding of the processes involved in good research practice. If you choose not to participate in these research studies, you can provide an online research skills portfolio instead.

This module builds on your learning in Exploring Social Psychology. You will study advanced topics in social psychology, focusing on contemporary theory and research in the field. Topics you will explore include:

• Attitudes
• Social influence
• Interpersonal and romantic relationships
• Prejudice
• Social constructionism

Expand your knowledge of developmental psychology. On this module you will study contemporary research and theoretical perspectives on the psychological processes which take place from birth to 12 years. You will focus on aspects of children's development including:

• Language and cognition
• Gender and identity
• Socio-emotional skills
• Family, social and cultural contexts

Qualitative research allows you to collect and analyse non numerical data, such as interviews or texts, to gain in depth insights into a problem. On this module you will learn about theoretical perspectives underpinning qualitative research in Psychology, with a focus on thematic analysis and discourse analysis. In lab workshops, you will practise a range of qualitative research techniques and conduct a small-scale qualitative interview study in groups. You will consider ethical issues in qualitative research in Psychology and learn to write up your findings.

This module will take your understanding of individual differences to the next level. You will be introduced to psychometric theory and techniques, including the measurement of personality traits, attitudes and abilities. You will explore how assessment and measurement varies across general and diverse populations. Using the statistical skills developed through your degree, you will conduct and write up a psychometric analysis.

On this module you will explore advanced contemporary research on the biological bases of behaviour. You will study:

• Sleep and biological rhythms
• Comparative psychology and animal models
• Higher cognitive functions
• Addiction

Advance your understanding of cognitive psychology. You will investigate contemporary theory and research in the field. In lab workshops you will work in a group with a member of academic staff to design and conduct a cognitive experiment. Topics for your experimental project can include:

• Object perception
• Word reading
• Memory processes
• Cognitive interference

This module further develops your psychological research skills. You will learn a range of advanced quantitative research designs and statistical data analysis techniques, gaining practical experience in lab workshops. You will also be introduced to the open science movement and produce a pre-registered research proposal.

Develop practical, transferable skills while you study. This module gives you the opportunity to conduct 75 hours of paid or voluntary work. You will be supported to arrange this work experience by your tutors and our placements team. You could also choose to participate in ethically approved psychological research projects run by students and members of staff. This will help to develop your understanding of good research practices.

Gain the skills needed to interview witnesses, identify perpetrators and detect deception. During this module you will learn how to spot false allegations and confessions while using appropriate enquiry techniques. You will also understand how to analyse research relating to investigations and legal processes.

On this module, you will investigate the experience of victims in the criminal justice systems within 4 contexts:

• Political
• Economic
• Historic
• Social

Examine existing laws and policies and explore how social norms influence the behaviour and treatment of both victims and perpetrators of crimes. Throughout this module, you will develop the skills necessary to evaluate existing treatments of all people involved in criminal acts.

Covering topics such as murder, stalking and gangs you will develop your knowledge in a range of offending behaviours. You will gain skills related to forensic psychology and learn how to communicate your knowledge relating to offending behaviours. Other topics you may explore are:

• Juvenile offenders
• Sexual offenders
• Female offenders
• Forensic psychology as a career

In this module you will consider a series of historical and contemporary criminal cases from alternative theoretical perspectives. You will interrogate the sociocultural contexts within which criminal acts are committed and judgements are made. Topics could include:

• International perspectives on crime
• Crime in popular discourse
• State, society and social control
• History of policing

On this module you will gain an understanding of neuropsychological disorders such as Alzheimer's or epilepsy. Learn about the neuropathology of these disorders and their cognitive profiles. You will have the opportunity to administer neurological tests and learn to interpret scores. You will be able to asses recent advances in neuropsychology and explore the role of neuropsychologists during rehabilitation.

This module will introduce you to the connections between cognitive functioning, mental health, and future thinking. Build on your knowledge of cognitive psychology, think critically about scientific research in the field, and evaluate the clinical applications. Through this you will develop an understanding of the connections between cognition and mental health that will be useful if you are interested in a career in mental health settings.

This module is your next step in advancing your cognitive psychology knowledge. You will examine the theory of memory and the history of memory devices known as mnemonics. Topics you may cover include:

• Ancient mnemonics
• Modern mnemonics
• Working memory training
• Mindfulness meditation

This module is your introduction to non-medical approaches in mental health. You will investigate theories that question traditional approaches and debate the nature of mental illness. You will also analyse case studies from people with lived experience of mental ill health. Topics may include:

• The politics and economics of mental health
• The use of language in mental health
• Educational approaches
• Arts-based approaches
• Open dialogue
• Theories of recovery

Critically examine evidence relating to the similarities and differences between human minds and the minds of other animals. This module would be especially useful to you if you are interested in developmental, cognitive or evolutionary psychology fields.

Gain an understanding of social psychology beyond the study of individual minds, by learning how to analyse interactions between people. On this module you will think critically about issues across naturally occurring contexts within research, education and professional practice. You will learn through a combination of theory, methodology and analysis.