Introduction to Psychology

Topics covered in the module will include:

• Introduction to Psychology. Including landmark experiments in psychology, for example, Pavlov and Watson’s work, Milgram’s experiment on obedience, and Skinner’s box;
• Positive Psychology and the Psychology of Emotions;
• Cognitive Psychology: attention, memory, and cognition;
• Social psychology (the influence of social context on the behaviour of individuals in groups) and the psychology of relating;
• Personality and individual differences: The importance of understanding individual differences and determining norms, and the psychology of self;
• Mental health and mental wellbeing. A look at how mental health is studied and some of the models of mental illness, including a discussion about the anti-psychiatry movement and mental health stigma.

Sessions will include discussions, both informal (such as reflecting on the activities that you will be required to complete in preparation for the session), as well as more formal discussions (such as working in small groups to address specific issues and then share for further discussion with the whole class).

At the end of each session, you will receive information about the preparatory task you are required to complete ahead of the following session. This may involve reading a research study or a book chapter, watching a documentary or a TED talk, or taking an online psychometric test. Completing the preparatory tasks will enable you to share your thoughts and develop psychological thinking skills. It will also scaffold the self-reflective commentary that you are required to prepare as part of the module assessment.

More specifically, both class participation and personal observations will form part of your participation log (via completing the “Participation Table” document which represents 40% of the overall module mark).

• Coursework: Analytical essay (1000-1200 words) (60%)
• Coursework: Participation log: 480–640 words A reflective journal, including commentary on classroom exercises, homework activities, and personal reflections (40%)

After the end of the module, you will be required to submit an analytical essay on one question that you select from a list of set questions. The class discussions will shape the conceptual angles and points of criticality that you are expected to consider and develop in your essay. Use of Generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) is discouraged, and you will be provided with guidance on its appropriate use.  

Your participation log will be submitted alongside the analytical essay after the end of term. Its compilation will be scaffolded each week: you will be asked to complete a set activity prior to the session and prepare notes (60–80 words per week) to enable your participation to class discussion. This will also serve as the basis your first draft for the reflective log - a weekly entry using the ‘participation table’ pre-designed Word document. The participation log also includes one entry on your planning for the essay and a critical commentary on the process of learning, personal growth, and the use of Generative AI.

Marks and summative feedback for your two assessments will be returned to you, via the module VLE, within approximately two weeks of submission.

• ECTS value: 0
• Requirements: You must be prepared to attend all classes and to spend about an hour a week preparing for each session
• This module is designed as an undergraduate Level 4 course. For an explanation of levels, view the Imperial Horizons Level Descriptors page.‌