Social and Developmental Psychology

The module aims to develop your critical understanding of psychological concepts, theories, and methods relevant to the study of social and developmental psychology. It has been developed to meet the requirements of the British Psychological Society (BPS) GBC curriculum, as approved by the BPS Membership & Qualifications Board. The module will explore specific topics that constitute the field of social and developmental psychology including: (a) social cognition, (b) inter-group processes, (c) small group processes, (d) social influence (e) attribution, (f) social development, (g) childhood, adolescence and life-span development (h) attachment (i) cognitive and language development. You will develop a deep understanding of the range of research conducted in developmental psychology, and with applications of social psychological theory to real world scenarios.

On successful completion of the module, you'll be able to demonstrate a deep understanding of, and critically evaluate, key issues, concepts and theories in developmental psychology to inform; engage in independent enquiry of a specific aspect of developmental psychology and develop a comprehensive understanding of the core social psychological concepts, models and theories underpinning social psychology by critically applying social psychological theories and methods to explain how individuals and/or groups negotiate real life situations.

Topics covered may include:

• Social cognition: Social Perception, Attitudes, Self Regulation
• Inter-group processes:  Inter-group Conflict and Prejudice, Social Identity Processes, Attribution Processes
• Small group processes:  Groups & Group Norms, Small Group Dynamics & Leadership Styles, Characteristics of Productive & non-Productive Groups
• Social influence in groups: Conformity & Obedience, Majority & Minority Influence, Bystander Effect & Prosocial Behaviour
• Close relationships:  Interpersonal Attraction, Liking & Loving, Role of Culture & Gender
• Crisis in social psychology: Social Constructionism
• Key Themes in Developmental Psychology: Research Methods, Nature & Nurture, Theories of Development
• Cognition in Infancy and Childhood:  Perception, Memory, Language, Theory of Mind, Number, Drawing
• Social Development: Emotion, Self & Identity, Gender
• Classic and Historic perspectives in Developmental Psychology: e.g., Piaget and Vygotsky.