LEVEL 1A/1B - University of Glasgosteve/resources/old/Level_1.pdfLevel 1A/1B - Psychology 5 1.3. WHAT THE COURSE QUALIFIES YOU FOR Psychology Level 1A/1B is the first year of a four-year

Department of Psychology

LEVEL 1A/1B

1A: BIOLOGICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL 1B: SOCIAL, DEVELOPMENTAL AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCE

Course Information

Documentation

2008-2009

September 08

Level 1A/1B - Psychology

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1. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................4 1.1. WELCOME ....................................................................................................................4 1.2. ENTRY INTO THE COURSE AND PRE-REQUISITES ..............................................4 1.3. WHAT THE COURSE QUALIFIES YOU FOR ............................................................5 1.4. COURSE DOCUMENTATION .....................................................................................5

2. AIMS & OBJECTIVES ....................................................................................................6 2.1. DEPARTMENTAL AIMS..............................................................................................6 2.2. COURSE AIMS..............................................................................................................6 2.3. COURSE OBJECTIVES.................................................................................................6 2.4. LEARNING AND TEACHING STRATEGIES .............................................................6

3. LECTURES .......................................................................................................................8 3.1. TIMETABLE..................................................................................................................8 3.2. LECTURE TIMES AND LOCATION ...........................................................................9 3.3. COURSE TEXT..............................................................................................................9 3.4. PSYCHOLOGY 1A LECTURE SUMMARIES ...........................................................10 3.4.1. Biology – Brain, Learning & Motivation – (Dr L. Morrow, Prof P. O’Donnell & Dr S.

Sereno)......................................................................................................................10 3.4.2. Introduction - Scope of Psychology, Experimental Design & Statistics, Cognitive

Neuroscience - (Dr H. Leuthold, Prof P. O’Donnell & Dr S. Sereno).......................13 3.4.3. Memory & Language - (Dr M. Martin, Dr S. Sereno) ...............................................15 3.4.4. Perception & Visual Cognition - (Dr M. Lages, Dr J. Hillis & Prof F. Pollick)........16

3.5. PSYCHOLOGY 1B LECTURE SUMMARIES ...........................................................18 3.5.1. Abnormal Psychology - (Dr M. Martin, Ms J. Stevenson & Dr L. Morrow)..............18 3.5.2. Human Development - (Dr P. Bishop).......................................................................20 3.5.3. Individual Differences - (Dr M. Martin)....................................................................21 3.5.4. Social I – Biology and Social Cognition - (Dr J. Bohan)...........................................23 3.5.5. Social II – Social Cognition & Social Interaction - (Dr J. Bohan) ...........................24 3.5.6. Thinking – (Dr K. Kilborn)........................................................................................26

4. ASSESSMENT.................................................................................................................27 4.1. RATIONALE................................................................................................................27 4.1.1. Assessing work ..........................................................................................................27 4.1.2. Grading Scale ...........................................................................................................27

4.2. COURSE WORK..........................................................................................................27 4.2.1. Tutorials....................................................................................................................27 4.2.2. Practicals ..................................................................................................................28 4.2.3. Essays .......................................................................................................................29 4.2.4. Deadlines ..................................................................................................................29 4.2.5. Registration...............................................................................................................30

4.3. EXAMINATIONS ........................................................................................................30 4.3.1. Format ......................................................................................................................30 4.3.2. Exam Weighting ........................................................................................................30 4.3.3. Topics........................................................................................................................30 4.3.4. Overall Assessment ...................................................................................................30 4.3.5. Course Work Component Weighting .........................................................................31 4.3.6. Timing .......................................................................................................................31 4.3.7. EDPAC Answer Sheets..............................................................................................31 4.3.8. Exams Only Candidates ............................................................................................32 4.3.9. Publication of Degree Examination Results ..............................................................32 4.3.10. Class Work Requirements..........................................................................................32

4.4. RELEVANT UNIVERSITY RULES............................................................................32


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4.4.1. Credit and Credit Transfers ......................................................................................32 4.4.2. Re-assessment in a Module .......................................................................................32 4.4.3. Plagiarism.................................................................................................................33

4.5. AN IMPORTANT NOTE ON COURSES....................................................................33 5. SUPPORT ........................................................................................................................34 5.1. ASSISTANCE IN THE PSYCHOLOGY COMPUTER LABS ....................................34 5.2. PAL (PEER ASSISTED LEARNING) SCHEME ........................................................34 5.3. COMMUNICATIONS..................................................................................................34 5.3.1. Announcements .........................................................................................................34 5.3.2. Portal ........................................................................................................................34 5.3.3. Availability Of Lecturers For Consultation ...............................................................34 5.3.4. E-Mail .......................................................................................................................35

5.4. CLASS TUTOR & SECRETARY................................................................................35 6. FURTHER INFORMATION .........................................................................................36 6.1. EXTERNAL EXAMINER............................................................................................36 6.2. APPEALS PROCEDURE.............................................................................................36 6.3. ATTENDANCE............................................................................................................36 6.4. PROBLEMS, GUIDANCE ETC...................................................................................36 6.4.1. Illness, Absence and Personal Problems ...................................................................37

6.5. DISABILITY ................................................................................................................37 6.6. CLASS REPRESENTATIVES - STAFF/STUDENT LIAISON...................................38 6.7. STUDENT ASSESSMENT OF THE COURSE ...........................................................38 6.8. HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY....................................................................................38 6.9. PROGRESSION FROM PSYCHOLOGY 1 .................................................................38 6.9.1. Psychology 2A and Psychology 2B (2

nd Year) ...........................................................38

6.9.2. Progression to Level 3...............................................................................................40 6.9.3. Psychology Level 4....................................................................................................41

6.10. BRITISH PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY....................................................................41 6.10.1. Graduate Basis for Registration................................................................................41 6.10.2. Undergraduate Membership of the BPS ....................................................................42

7. SAMPLE DEGREE EXAMINATION QUESTIONS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS...43 8. LIBRARY RESOURCES FOR PSYCHOLOGY STUDENTS AT GLASGOW

UNIVERSITY..................................................................................................................44 9. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL (SRC) ....................................................45 9.1. HOW THE SRC CAN HELP YOU ..............................................................................45

10. APPLICATION TO PROGRESS TO LEVEL 2 PSYCHOLOGY..............................47 11. LEVEL 1A/1B PSYCHOLOGY WORK RECORD (2008 - 2009)...............................48


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QUALITY IN TEACHING In the last assessment of all Departments of Psychology

by our funding council, Glasgow University came out on top with an overall rating

of EXCELLENT.

1.1.1.1. INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

1.1. WELCOME The Department welcomes you to the study of Psychology at Glasgow University. We think you have made the right choice in studying here and we hope that you benefit from the course both intellectually and in terms of personal development. The following document tells you what your duties are as a student and also states the obligations that the Department has towards you. The course is designed to give you a general introduction to the basic concepts of modern psychology and will reflect the range of interests held by modern researchers. It is accessible to anyone with a good secondary education. There are no intellectual pre-requisites as such although some knowledge of biology and of statistics can be helpful. The document deals with all the things you need to know in order to carry out your role as a student. It deals with the aims and objectives of the course, your obligations in terms of Lectures, Tutorials, Practicals, Health and Safety Policy and what to do if you have problems. Many of the things you need to remember as you proceed with the course are spelt out in this document so it is very important to keep a copy for reference. It is as up-to-date as possible and was last revised on 03/09/2008.

The Teaching Convenor (Professor Paddy O’Donnell) is responsible for all aspects of the course delivery and design. If there are any difficulties that you cannot resolve through the usual channels then he will be happy to see you at a time that you can arrange by consulting his office hours. He can also be contacted via electronic mail ([email protected]). Dr Margaret Martin is the Level 1 Class Tutor ([email protected]).

1.2. ENTRY INTO THE COURSE AND PRE-

REQUISITES Entry to the class is through admission to the University for an undergraduate degree. There are no qualifying courses. Entry to the class is guaranteed to new university entrants who put the UCAS Psychology code on their UCAS form as part of their application to Glasgow University and who firmly accepted an unconditional offer or a confirmed conditional offer of a place to study Psychology either single or joint honours. The Department refers to such students as having an UCAS/Psychology code and as being a Potential Honours Psychology (PHP) student.

All other new entrants or returning students who want to enter the class are not guaranteed a place but enter a ballot for the remaining places up to a class limit of 600.

Dr Margaret Martin (Class Tutor)


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1.3. WHAT THE COURSE QUALIFIES YOU FOR Psychology Level 1A/1B is the first year of a four-year honours degree in Arts, Science and Social Science which leads to the graduate basis for registration for the British Psychological Society.

The course consists of two modules:

� 1A: Biological and Experimental

� 1B: Social, Developmental and Individual Differences

Students will normally intend to complete both modules 1A and 1B. However, it is possible to leave after successful completion of module 1A with twenty credits and whatever grade award has been achieved. Entry to module 1B is dependent on successful completion of 1A.

Many students will intend to progress from Psychology 1A/1B to Psychology 2A/2B and thus to a single or joint honours degree in Psychology. Others will be happy to complete Psychology 1A or Psychology 1A/1B as part of another degree structure. If you intend to advance to one of the honours programmes you should be aware of the progress rules which are laid out in section 6.9. You should check them now to ensure that you will be able to progress if you want to.

1.4. COURSE DOCUMENTATION This Course Documentation sets out the structure of your course and commitments. It provides an overview of what is ahead and some details may be added later or modified as circumstances change. Further materials will be provided when required


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2.2.2.2. AAAAIMS IMS IMS IMS &&&& OOOOBJECTIVESBJECTIVESBJECTIVESBJECTIVES

2.1. DEPARTMENTAL AIMS The specific aims of the department are:

To provide the highest quality teaching and learning possible with the available resources.

To provide an up-to-date curriculum by responding to developments in the subject, and by exposing students to an environment in which advances in psychological research are being made. The curriculum is geared with the background of students in mind in terms of experience, qualifications and educational needs.

To promote and enhance research capacity in key areas of strength within the department (Psychology of Communication, Perception, Brain and Cognition, Psychology related to Health and Medical issues, Psychology and Information Technology, including Human Computer Interaction), and to promote the development of research excellence in additional areas of psychology.

To develop and enhance research and training links and collaborations with other research institutions in the UK and beyond.

2.2. COURSE AIMS Psychology 1A/1B provides an introduction to the main areas and concepts of Psychology. The course also teaches practical skills involved with experiments on human subjects. Communication skills are also encouraged by means of regular tutorials.

2.3. COURSE OBJECTIVES Students at the end of the year will:

1. be familiar with a broad range of theories and research findings in the discipline. 2. be familiar with the methodological bases for such theories. 3. understand the nature of experimentation in Psychology. 4. be able to write reports which summarise empirical work. 5. be able to present psychological ideas orally in front of an audience. 6. be able to summarise psychological theories and research findings in the context of

an unseen examination. 7. be able to offer criticisms and extensions of theories in an unseen examination. 8. be able to criticise theories in psychology in terms of their internal coherence and in

terms of their methodological underpinnings.

2.4. LEARNING AND TEACHING STRATEGIES Lectures will introduce the staff, outline the programme and assessment methods, and introduce students to the range of text books and software learning support. Lectures will introduce students to the key theories and relevant experiments. Coursework essays will give students the opportunity to research independently and evaluate relevant material beyond the lectures, and teach the skills of writing scientific material.

Practicals will introduce students to key experiments in the field, develop data analysis skills, and teach report writing. Web-based resources will allow flexible access to support materials. Tutorials and group tutorials will develop students' oral presentation skills,


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support key points in the lecture material, and support independent exploration and evaluation of key experiments and theories. Learning and teaching strategies will be designed and implemented appropriate to all students needs.

Learning Outcomes Teaching & Learning Assessment Describing material Lectures, tutorials Multiple Choice, texts, web Unseen exam essays Evaluating theory and Lectures, tutorials Unseen exams, class experiments essays Designing experiments Practicals, tutorials Laboratory report analysing data, write reports statistics tutorials mcq questions Critical report writing Tutorials Class essays/reports Verbal presentation & Tutorials, group project Group presentation team working skills


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3.3.3.3. LLLLECTURESECTURESECTURESECTURES

3.1. TIMETABLE This timetable shows the provisional schedule for 2008/2009. Please note that changes to the timetable and to Examination dates are always possible.

SEMESTER 1 PLEASE NOTE CHRISTMAS VACATION IS 22 DECEMBER 2008 – 9 JANUARY 2009

Week 1 Sep 15 NO TEACHING – REGISTRATION

Week 2 Sep 22 O’Donnell Intro - Scope of Psychology

Week 3 Sep 29 Leuthold Intro - Exp Design & Stats

Week 4 Oct 6 Sereno Intro - Cognitive Neuroscience

Week 5 Oct 13 O’Donnell Biology – Brain

Week 6 Oct 20 O’Donnell/Sereno Biology – Brain/Learning

Week 7 Oct 27 Sereno Biology – Learning

Week 8 Nov 3 Morrow Biology – Motivation

Week 9 Nov 10 Lages/Hillis Perception & Visual Cognition

Week 10 Nov 17 Hillis/Pollick Perception & Visual Cognition

Week 11 Nov 24 Martin Memory

Week 12 Dec 1 Sereno Language

Week 13 Dec 8 NO TEACHING – EXAM PERIOD

Week 14 Dec 15 NO TEACHING – EXAM PERIOD

SEMESTER 2 PLEASE NOTE SPRING VACATION IS 30 MARCH 2009 – 17 APRIL 2009, 4 MAY AND 25 MAY 2009 ARE HOLIDAYS

Week 15 Jan 12 Kilborn Thinking

Week 16 Jan 19 Bohan Social I

Week 17 Jan 26 Martin Ind Differences – Intelligence

Week 18 Feb 2 Martin Ind Differences – Personality

Week 19 Feb 9 Bishop Human Development

Week 20 Feb 16 Bishop Human Development

Week 21 Feb 23 Bohan Social II

Week 22 Mar 2 Bohan Social II

Week 23 Mar 9 Morrow Abnormal

Week 24 Mar 16 Stevenson Abnormal

Week 25 Mar 23 Martin Abnormal


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3.2. LECTURE TIMES AND LOCATION There are two presentations of lecture each day on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Since the same lecture is given on these two occasions, you should attend only one session per day.

N.B. At the time of going to print, the location of lectures has still to be confirmed.

DAY DAY DAY TIME LOCATION

Mon Tue Wed 9:00-10:00 Main Lecture Theatre (B419) Joseph Black Building

Mon Tue Wed 17:00-18:00 Main Lecture Theatre (B419) Joseph Black Building

3.3. COURSE TEXT Gleitman, H., Reisberg D. & Gross, J. (2007). Psychology (Seventh Edition). W. W. Norton & Company.

All lecture courses unless otherwise stated are supported by this text which is available from the John Smith book shop on University Avenue. There is a study guide that accompanies the textbook. There is also a website to accompany the textbook. Details of how this can be accessed are available in the computer labs.


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3.4. PSYCHOLOGY 1A LECTURE SUMMARIES

3.4.1. Biology – Brain, Learning & Motivation – (Dr L. Morrow, Prof P. O’Donnell & Dr S. Sereno)

Aims

In this module the basic issues in biological psychology and animal behaviour will be introduced. The brain and nervous system will be described, and a detailed description of the neurone and nervous conduction will be given. Students will understand how biological knowledge underpins psychological understanding and, by focusing on learning behaviour, how animal experimentation can enrich our understanding of psychological functions. Basic motivational processes as they affect thermal regulation, eating behaviour and sleep will be explained.

LECTURE SUMMARY LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1 Introduction to biological psychology. Levels of analysis from molecules to memories. Common brain imaging techniques in psychobiology and neuroscience. The organisation of the nervous system - peripheral, central and autonomic division.

Students will be able to:

• describe relationship of psychobiology to other areas of psychological endeavour.

• describe the common techniques used in the study of the biological bases of behaviour.

• describe about the fundamental divisions of the mammalian nervous system.

2 The gross organisation of the brain and the function of key brain areas.

Students will be able to describe:

• the gross organisation of the brain and its major subdivisions.

• the function of specific key brain areas.

3 The functional organisation of the cerebral cortex- sensory, motor and association regions. Known regions of specialisation- language, face recognition etc will be discussed. The divided brain – hemisphere asymmetry and the corpus callosum- the split brain patients.


• the functional divisions of the cortex and the roles of sensory, motor and association areas.

• the bilateral structure of the cerebrum and the issue of hemisphere asymmetry of function.

4 The fundamental building blocks of the nervous system. The structure of neurones. The electrochemical bases of neuronal conduction. The synapse and chemical transmission. Excitation and inhibition.


• the basic structure and the properties of neurones.

• the mechanism of the resting and action potential, and of synaptic transmission.


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5 Plasticity of the nervous system- brain changes during development and learning. Hebb’s theory of synaptic enhancement underlying learning and memory.


• how new associations in the brain are formed.

• how synaptic plasticity may provide a mechanism for learning and memory.

6 Learning Part I: What is learning? Historical perspective and Behaviourism. Part II: Classical conditioning and Pavlov. Concepts include the UCS, UCR, CS, and CR, extinction, reconditioning, and spontaneous recovery, and other relevant factors in conditioning. Applications of conditioning.


• define learning and be aware of the history of Psychology and Behaviourism.

• describe the work of Pavlov.

• describe classical conditioning and its core concepts.

7 Part Ill: Operant/Instrumental conditioning. Instrumental conditioning and Thorndike, including the puzzle box, trial and error learning, and the law of effect. Operant conditioning and Skinner, including the Skinner box, operant, discriminative stimulus, schedules of partial reinforcers, reinforcement vs. punishment, and shaping.


• the work of Thorndike, Watson, and Skinner.

• instrumental conditioning and its core concepts.

• operant conditioning and its core concepts.

8 Part IV: Cognitive processes in learning. Includes latent learning and cognitive maps (Tolman), insight (Kohler), observational learning (Bandura), and language learning (Chomsky).


• describe cognitive views of learning, including the work of Tolman, Kohler, Bandura, and Chomsky.

9 Part V: Evolutionary considerations. Includes the misbehaviour of animals, food aversions (Garcia), and imprinting (Lorenz). Part VI: Review and perspective.


• the role of biological factors in learning.

• how learning fits into the study of Psychology.

10 Motivation: Control systems and homeostasis: heat regulation as an example. Hunger and the hypothalamus. How we select food. Disorders of eating: anorexia and bulimia. Causes and therapies.


• explain homeostasis with an example e.g. heat regulation.

• explain how we regulate food intake.

• discuss disorders of eating and their therapy with application to anorexia and bulimia.

11 Sleep: the stages of sleep as investigated by EEG. Functions of sleep. Sleep as restorative process. The hypothesised role of dreams.


• describe the main stages of sleep and their EEG signals.

• discuss possible functions of sleep

• describe the evidence on dream function.


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12 Theories of motivation: drive reduction theory, optimum arousal theory, opponent process theory. The biology of reward and its application to addictions. The role of the MFB and VTA


• describe the main theories of motivation.

• compare and contrast these in the light of empirical evidence.

• explain the biological basis of reward.

• apply reward theory to the psychology of addictions.


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3.4.2. Introduction - Scope of Psychology, Experimental Design & Statistics, Cognitive Neuroscience - (Dr H. Leuthold, Prof P. O’Donnell & Dr S. Sereno)

Aims

To provide an integrative introduction to the course and convey an understanding of the content and methodology adopted within the discipline of psychology. It will also provide a general overview of the methods used in psychological research. Examples will be used to illustrate specific experimental designs and statistical data analysis techniques.


1 Psychology as a Science; illustrated by Autism and Dreaming. We show how Psychology ranges from social behaviour and subjective experience to underlying brain function. Exploring two phenomena from a set of multiple perspectives: Autism and dreams. Autism has symptoms of: reduced level of or lack of speech, reduced interest in people, lack of eye contact, over sensitivity to noise and temper tantrums.


• demonstrate the nature of psychology as a science by describing how it investigates two phenomena viz autism and dreams.

• describe the main behavioural and communication features of autism.

2 Autism Neurology and Brain Imaging and treatments. Autism occurs in 15 in 10,000 births; occurs four times more common in boys than girls. It involves immature development in brain areas. In brain imaging studies autistic spectrum disorders demonstrate reduced activation in the fusiform gyrus (the portion of the brain associated with facial recognition). Treatments involve Psychological-social skills training and in some cases the newer class of anti-psychotic medications.


• describe the evidence on the incidence of autism, on the neurodevelopmental account, on the brain areas implicated and their theoretical significance for theories of autism, the role of psychosocial treatments and on the nature and success of other relevant treatments.

3 Dreaming. Dreams show a developmental pattern. Older children, 7-8 years of age, were able to put themselves in the centre of a dream. 9-10 year-olds dreamed almost like adults. Dreams and brain electrophysiology. Alpha: eyes closed but alert (8-12 Hz).Beta: eyes closed but thinking (>13 Hz.). Theta: drowsiness and first stage of sleep (4-7 Hz. Delta: deep sleep (3 Hz.). REM (Rapid Eye Movement Sleep) and dreams. We discuss the possible functions of REM sleep.


• describe the developmental pattern to dreams.

• describe the evidence from brain electrophysiology which relates brain EEG patterns to the different stages of sleep.

• identify the characteristics of Rapid Eye Movement Sleep (REM) and discuss the possible functions of this stage.


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4 Scientific Thinking in Psychology. Goals of research in psychology Hypotheses, operational definitions, choosing a research design, sampling, data collection and analysis, ethical issues.


• understand the nature of scientific research in psychology.

• understand the basic steps involved in planning research and in collecting data.

5 Non-Experimental Research Collecting information by observing or asking. Observational methods, correlation studies, and data analysis.

Students will:

• understand the basic difference among various methods of research like observational and correlational techniques.

• be familiar with statistical techniques to analyse observational and correlational data.

6 Experimental Research. Introduction to experimental research, correlation and causality, control and internal validity, confounding variables, data analysis

Students will:

• understand the experimental methods.

• be aware of the distinctions between different types of experiments.

• understand basic statistical data analysis methods.

7 Cognitive Neuroscience is a new evolving discipline whose goal is to determine the relationship between the physiology/structure of the brain and the psychology/function of the mind. Brain imaging techniques are important methodological tools used to achieve this goal. Part l: The brain in review. Part ll. Historical Perspective. Part Ill: Classical approaches to studying brain function.

Students will:

• obtain a background for understanding Cognitive Neuroscience.

8 Part IV: Brain imaging techniques – including structural imaging techniques (CT, MRI) and functional imaging techniques (EEG, MEG, PET, fMRI).


• evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different neuroimaging techniques.

9 Part V: Applying neuroimaging to studying cognitive function.


• describe how brain imaging techniques aid in understanding cognitive processes.


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3.4.3. Memory & Language - (Dr M. Martin, Dr S. Sereno)

Aims

To introduce some main issues in the psychological study of memory and language. How memory and language are related to other areas of psychology; biological aspects of psychology; perception; human development; consciousness, learning; motivation and emotion.


1 Introduction to memory. Why are some things better remembered than others. The structural model of memory which argues that Short-term memory (STM) and long-term memory (LTM) are separate systems.

Students will be familiar with the:

• basic processes in memory (a) encoding, (b) storage, (c) retrieval.

• distinction between short-term and long-term memory.

2 Evidence to support the STM/LTM distinction. The serial position curve and experimental manipulations which influence retrieval from STM and LTM. Studies of amnesic patients who have impaired LTM but preserved STM.

Students will:

• understand how the serial position curve and experiments amnesic patients support the STM/LTM distinction.

3 Different types of LTM. Distinction between episodic, semantic and procedural memory. Retrieval of information from memory and how information is lost from memory, decay versus interference.

Students will:

• be familiar with (a) procedural, semantic, and episodic memory and (b) implicit and explicit memory.

• understand why different cues determine the success of retrieval from episodic memory.

• be familiar with decay and interference theories of forgetting.

4 Introduction to language. Popular ideas about language. Properties of human language.

Students will:

• understand what constitutes human language.

• identify and describe the basic features of language.

5 The structure of language. Basic units of language. From words to sentences and comprehension.


• define phoneme, morpheme, syntax.

• understand the role of sentence structure in language comprehension.

6 Neuropsychology of language, language development and non-human language.


• identify different types of aphasia.

• describe the main stages of language development.

• evaluate language learning in animals.


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3.4.4. Perception & Visual Cognition - (Dr M. Lages, Dr J. Hillis & Prof F. Pollick)

Aims

To provide a basic background of important issues in perception. To relate the theoretical issues to our practical experience of how we perceive the world.

Note: Page numbers refer to Gleitman et al. 7th ed (2007).


1 Introduction and Survey of the Senses (pp 167-168, 177-183)


• understand the general area of perception, its purpose and aim.

• learn the basic functions of the vestibular, tactile, taste, smell and auditory system.

• understand differences and similarities between different sensations.

2 Empiricism and Perception (pp 168-177) Students will be able to:

• appreciate the Empiricists’ approach to measure sensory intensity.

• comprehend the meaning of the Weber fraction and Fechner’s law and learn the basic paradigm of signal detection.

3 The Eye (pp 183-190)


• describe the basic physical properties of light.

• understand the main components of the eye, in particular the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, retina and fovea.

• understand the differences between the cells in the retina, in particular the rods, cones and ganglion cells.

• understand the duplex theory.

• learn about adaptation and contrast mechanisms in the retina.


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4 Colour Perception (pp 190-196)


• discriminate the different attributes of colour: hue, brightness and saturation.

• learn the different ways of representing colour.

• understand the concept of colour mixture.

• learn the Young-Helmholtz and opponent-process theories.

• learn about abnormalities of colour vision.

5 Form Perception and Attention (pp 196-199, 213-215, 219-232)


• learn the concept of feature detectors.

• understand the phenomenon of motion after-effect.

• learn the purpose and main findings of a visual search task.

• discriminate two visual pathways in the brain.

• review the methods and results of selective attention.

6 Depth, Motion, Constancy and Art (pp 203-212, 215-219, 232-237)


• understand the concepts of depth cues, motion parallax and optic flow.

• understand the problem of figure-ground separation.

• list the Gestalt laws of perceptual grouping.

• understand the phenomena of size, shape and lightness constancy.

• appreciate different representations of reality in visual art.


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3.5. PSYCHOLOGY 1B LECTURE SUMMARIES

3.5.1. Abnormal Psychology - (Dr M. Martin, Ms J. Stevenson & Dr L. Morrow)

Aims

To provide students with a detailed understanding of what constitutes “abnormality”, how it can be diagnosed, understood and treated.


1 Defining normality and abnormality of behaviour: difficulties; 3 approaches, statistical, personal suffering, norm violation. Compromise: practical approach. Prevalence of Abnormality.


• explain the difficulties involved in defining abnormality.

2 Different models of abnormality: The supernatural, medical/neurobiological, psychological, sociocultural and diathesis-stress models. ---------------------------------------------------- Classification of abnormality: I.C.D. 10 and D.S.M. IV

Students will:

• have a critical view of the different models of abnormality.

• be familiar with the two main classification systems and their drawbacks.

3 Anxiety Disorders: Phobias; generalised anxiety disorders; panic disorder; obsessive-compulsive disorder. Somatoform Disorders. Dissociative Disorders.

Students will:

• be able to list the symptoms associated with the “neurotic” disorders such as the anxiety disorders, etc.

• have some understanding of the causes of these.

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Mood disorders: Major depression; dysthymic disorder; Bipolar disorder. Schizophrenia: Symptoms, Sub-types. Broad approaches to understanding the causes: biological and sociopsychological.

Students will have an understanding of:

• the different types of mood disorder.

• the causes of mood disorders. Students will be:

• able to describe the disorder with its subtypes.

• aware of broad approaches to understanding the causes of schizophrenia.


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7 Three main approaches to the treatment of psychological disorders are outlined:

• Insight (Psychodynamic/Humanistic/ Gestalt)

• Behaviour/Cognitive/Cognitive-Behavioural

• Biomedical (ECT/drug therapies/psychosurgery)

Psychodynamic therapy discussed, including neo-Freudian techniques. Humanistic – Rogers’ Client Centred Therapy Gestalt therapy – Perls Evaluation of Insight therapies

• Students should be aware of the different approaches to treatment

• Students should understand the concepts of:

- Psychoanalysis and later versions of psychodynamic therapy.

- Humanistic and Gestalt therapies.

- Their effectiveness in treating disorders.

8 Behavioural therapies evolved from research undertaken by Eysenck, Skinner, Wolpe Systematic desensitisation Behaviour modification Aversion therapy Rational-Emotive Therapy – Ellis Cognitive therapy – Beck Group therapy Evaluation of behaviour/cognitive/ cognitive-behavioural therapies

Students should understand the concepts of:

• behavioural therapies.

• cognitive therapies.

• cognitive-behavioural therapies.

• their effectiveness in treating disorders.

9 Biomedical therapies Psychopharmacotherapy – drugs used in treatment: Antipsychotics/neuroleptics Anti anxiety Anti depressants ECT – used to treat severe depression Psychosurgery – lobotomy/lesions/split-brain procedure

Students should understand the concepts of:

• biomedical therapies.

• drug treatments.

• psychosurgery and other biomedical treatments.

• their effectiveness in treating disorders.


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3.5.2. Human Development - (Dr P. Bishop) Aims

To supply undergraduates with an understanding of the benefits of a scientific approach to the study of human development and social psychology.


1 Studying human development. The History of Developmental Psychology. Themes in Developmental Psychology: Nature/nurture, patterns and mechanisms of development, individual differences.

Students will:

• be able to recall and use appropriately the content delivered on the history of Developmental Psychology.

• have an understanding of the themes that inform research into developmental Psychology.

2 Prenatal Development and the Newborn. The stages of prenatal development and influences on this development. The sensory world of the neonate.

Students will:

• be able to recall and use appropriately the content delivered on the stages of prenatal development and understand how environmental factors can influence this development.

• understand how developed the neonate’s sensory abilities are.

3 Cognitive development and Piaget. Piaget’s cognitive theory – basic assumptions. Accommodation and Assimilation. Stage model of development.

Students will:

• be able to recall and use appropriately the content delivered on Piaget’s Cognitive Model.

• understand the main concepts developed by Piaget.

4 Modifying Piaget theory: Infants’ perceptual and cognitive abilities. Alternative theories: the Information Processing approach


• recall and use appropriately the content delivered on the recent modifications of Piaget’s theory, and the reasons for these modifications.

5 Social and Emotional Development. Individual temperament. Forming an attachment, individual and cultural variations in attachment.


• recall and use appropriately the content delivered on emotional attachment, and be critically aware of research in this area of human development.

6 Social Development. Theories of Socialisation. The role of parents and peers in socialisation, individual and cultural variations. The development of gender roles


• recall and use appropriately the content delivered on styles of parenting.

• recall and use appropriately the content delivered on development of social skills and understanding.


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3.5.3. Individual Differences - (Dr M. Martin) Aims

To provide a general introduction to the main concepts of intelligence and intelligence testing. To define extremes of intelligence. To provide a general introduction to the main types of personality, i.e. psychodynamic, trait-factor, behavioural and humanistic/phenomenological. To introduce the main methods of personality assessment, questionnaire, and projective techniques.


1 The development of intelligence tests by Galton and Binet & Simon. Review of the concepts of reliability and validity.


• describe the historical origins of intelligence tests with Binet & Simon.

• define reliability.

• define validity.

2 The heredity-environment debate and what is at issue. The kinds of evidence adduced and the extent to which it can be said to be conclusive.


• evaluate evidence on the heredity-environment debate.

• understand the evidence from the twin studies.

• explain group differences in intelligence.

3 Intelligence: psychometrics, information processing, triarchical theory. Diversity in mental abilities.

Students will be able to;

• compare the psychometric, information processing, and triarchical approach.

• understand the relationship between creativity and intelligence.

• describe the definitions of giftedness and mental retardation.

4 The concept of personality and the historical perspective. Freud – Psychodynamic approach: Id, Ego, Superego conflicts and defences stages in the development of personality Neo-Freudian theorists evaluation of the psychodynamic approach


• outline the main features of the concept of personality as used by psychologists; describe free association; outline the main features of the concepts of Id, Ego and SuperEgo; describe some of Freud’s defence mechanisms; name & describe the main stages that Freud alleged personality passed through in the course of its development.

5 The dispositional approach: Traits as defined by Allport, Eysenck and Cattell Factor analysis Big five traits Evaluation of the dispositional approach

Students will understand:

• the concept of the trait.

• the main points of theories by Allport, Eysenck and Cattell.

• the Big Five traits approach

• factor analysis and its use in the investigation of traits.


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6 Introduction to cognitive-behavioural approach to personality; Rotter’ work. Bandura’s contribution to personality studies. Mischel’s contribution to personality studies. Evaluation of the cognitive-behavioural approach. Intro. to the phen-omenological/ humanistic/existentialist approach to personality. Roger’s concepts of self, organism conditions of worth. Projective tests: TAT and Rorshach.

Students will:

• know what the main features of the behavioural approach to personality are; know what Rotter meant by expectancies and what his concept of Locus of Control is about.

• be able to outline Bandura’s concepts of reciprocal determinism and self efficacy; list and describe Mischel’s most important “person variables”; have an opinion on the strengths and weakness of the cognitive-behavioural contributions to the study of personality.

• know the main features of the phenomenological/ humanistic /existentialist approach to personality study. Know what Kelly’s personal constructs are. Know what Roger’s ideas of the self, the organism and conditions of worth are.

• be able to understand how projective tests can be used in personality testing.


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3.5.4. Social I – Biology and Social Cognition - (Dr J. Bohan)

Aims

To introduce key topics within the fields of sociobiology and social cognition.


1 Biological bases of social behaviour. Evolutionary selection of behaviours. Fixed action patterns. Evolution and Aggression: dominance, submission territoriality.


• explain the evolutionary cause of behaviours.

• explain the different patterns of resource claiming.

• evaluate evidence for evolutionary causes of aggression.

2 Mating and courtship rituals. Evolution and attractiveness.


• explain the evolutionary cause of courtship behaviours.

• explain different patterns of mate selection.

• evaluate evidence for evolutionary causes of attractiveness judgements.

3 How is altruism possible within the theory of evolution? Reciprocal altruism Vs kin selection. Mother child attachment. ‘Babyness’ as a social releaser.


• evaluate different accounts of altruism.

• describe the role of social releasers in attachment.


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3.5.5. Social II – Social Cognition & Social Interaction - (Dr J. Bohan)

Aims

To introduce the topic of group influences on judgement and to provide coverage of the main issues in thinking and reasoning.


1 Attitudes: defining and measuring attitudes. Determinants of attitude change: persuasive messages and peripheral vs. central routes of persuasion. The role of heuristics. Defining cognitive dissonance. How do people avoid attitude change?

Students will be able to: • describe how attitudes are

measured.

• explain the central vs. peripheral mechanisms involved in attitude change.

• describe cognitive dissonance.

• show how people maintain attitude stability.

2 Forming impressions of people: Central Trait Theory, primacy effects, implicit personality theory. Mental shortcuts and misleading impressions; Attribution Theory. Errors in attribution: the fundamental attribution error, actor observer differences, self serving biases. The self concept, self perception and attribution, the example of the foot in the door technique. Cultural differences in attribution: collectivist vs. individualist cultures.

Students will be able to: • describe how people form

impressions.

• describe the illusions involved in perceiving people.

• illustrate key aspects of attribution theory.

• show how the self concept operates across cultures.

3 Emotion: James Lange theory: a contrary argument from Cannon & Bard who affirm the role of CNS processes in emotion. Schacter's attribution of arousal theory. Evidence on the misattribution of arousal, and for arousal transfer. Evidence for CNS determinants of emotion: the role played by the amygdale.

Students will be able to: • describe key theories of emotion.

• contrast the James Lange with the Canon and Bard theory.

• evaluate evidence on emotion and attribution.

4 Facial expressions of emotion. Universal vs. cultural determinants. The facial feedback theory of emotion. Facial expression as a communicative device. The search for basic emotional states. Complex emotions such as anger, pity and guilt and regret. Does culture affect emotional experience or just the way we describe emotions.

Students will be able to: • contrast universal vs. cultural

views of emotional expression.

• evaluate the nature of basic emotional states and complex emotions.

• describe the influence of culture in emotional experience.


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5 Relating to one another on a one to one basis. Social exchange, altruism and attraction. The determinants of altruistic behaviour. Do people do a cost-benefit analysis of intervening in an emergency? Who is attracted to whom and why? Attraction takes many forms including romantic love. Theories of romantic love.

Students will be able to: • evaluate key theories of altruism.

• describe key experiments in attraction.

• describe the varieties of love relationships.

6 Social influence in one to many situations. Social influence, conformity and obedience. Milgram's study on obedience.

Students will be able to: • review key studies on social

influence emphasising obedience phenomena.


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3.5.6. Thinking – (Dr K. Kilborn) Aims

To introduce the process of thinking and how the world is represented in memory. Problem solving and the use of algorithms and heuristics in decision making are explained.

1 Analogical representations of the world. Eidetic imagery, visual imagery and visual rotation. Symbolic representations. Concepts, propositions and semantic memory. Network models.

Students will be able to explain:

• what is meant by an analogical representation.

• symbolic representations.

• models of semantic memory.

2 The process of thinking. The hierarchical organisation of a problem. Experts and novices and problem solving. The role of automaticity. Obstacles to successful problem solving.


• explain the hierarchical process of problem solving.

• compare strategies used by experts and novices.

• describe barriers to problem solving.

3 Reasoning and decision making. Algorithms versus heuristics. Framing effects. Are people really irrational?


• define algorithms and heuristics.

• describe the main heuristics.

• evaluate the charge of irrationality against human thinkers.


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4.4.4.4. AAAASSESSMENT SSESSMENT SSESSMENT SSESSMENT

4.1. RATIONALE The exam rationale is to test students’ basic understanding of concepts. The ability to use concepts is tested through essay writing. Ability to express concepts verbally will be tested by the student’s performance in tutorials. Laboratory skills are taught via a computerised laboratory series of experiments, supported by a series of lectures. Laboratory skills are tested through performance and report writing.

Needless to say attendance at tutorials, laboratories and lectures is an essential part of the learning experience and of your student contract. Attendance will therefore be monitored and a register taken at tutorials.

4.1.1. Assessing work A common grading scale is used for assessing each piece of work in Psychology 1A/1B whether, for example, the work is a class essay, a report of an experiment, an essay answer in an examination or a stand-up presentation in a tutorial. The grading scale we use is common throughout the university.

4.1.2. Grading Scale A Excellent AI A2 A3 A4 A5 22 21 20 19 18

B Very good BI B2 B3 17 16 15

C Good C1 C2 C3 14 13 12

D Satisfactory Dl D2 D3 11 10 9

E Weak El E2 E3 8 7 6

F Poor Fl F2 F3 5 4 3

G Very poor GI G2 2 1

CR Credit Refused CR 0

4.2. COURSE WORK

4.2.1. Tutorials At the beginning of the first semester, Psychology 1A students will be registered for the class and can choose a tutorial time. This will take place in the Psychology labs floor 5, Room 517, in the Boyd Orr building during the first week of Semester, times to be announced. The registration will automatically be transferred to Psychology 1B but will be cancelled if the student does not progress. There is no need to register again for Psychology 1B. The tutorial and lab times will also apply to Psychology 1B when and if the student progresses to that module.

For Psychology 1A, tutorials will start in semester 1: week beginning 29th September until week beginning 10th November (7 tutorials). For Psychology 1B, tutorials will start in semester 2: week beginning 19th January until week beginning 23rd February (6 tutorials).


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4.2.2. Practicals These are held in the Psychology Laboratory, Level 5 of the Boyd Orr Building. The laboratory will be open Monday to Thursday from 10a.m. to 4.45p.m and Friday 10a.m. to 3.45p.m. Any changes to the laboratory opening times will be notified.

4.2.2.1. The Practical Programme

The practical programme is mainly computer-based. The programme comprises six different laboratories or practicals. You must complete them all.

4.2.2.2. The Practicals

Each practical will be available for you to complete in your own time but it will only be available for a designated three-week period. Once its three weeks has elapsed, it will no longer be available - so it is important you complete it in the period specified otherwise your assessment will suffer. A timetable showing when each of the practicals are run can be found at the end of this handbook. There is a lab manual accompanying the practicals. It contains all the information you require to carry out the programme. Manuals will be handed out at registration to the class. One practical in each semester will be on a “sign on” basis where there will be a choice of times within the 3 week period.

4.2.2.3. Registration for the Practical Programme

You must register for the programme in the Psychology Laboratory during the first week of Semester 1. You need to know your Matriculation Number. The computer will keep a record of the practicals you have completed and if your completion rate is poor your assessment will be poor.

4.2.2.4. Compulsory Participation in Experiments

The Psychology department regards being an experimental subject as a necessary part of training for students. We therefore formed a Subject Pool in our level 1 class and all students have to complete a number of experiments (currently 4) as a compulsory part of the course, over the whole session (Modules 1A/1B). If only one module is completed then the requirement will be 2 experiments. Students with special needs, such as visual impairment, will be treated as exceptional cases, and should speak to Margaret Martin (Departmental Disability Co-Ordinator) about this as soon as possible. Suitable arrangements will be made for all students to take part in the research environment of the department.

4.2.2.5. Assessment

You will complete a quiz at the end of each practical, hand it in and it will be assessed. You will submit two written reports (one in Semester 1 and one in Semester 2) and they will be assessed. You will also complete a group project (through the tutorials) and your contribution will be assessed. Each Laboratory Portfolio comprises 25% of the overall assessment for each of modules 1A and 1B (see section 4.3.4).


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4.2.3. Essays You will be required to complete 1 essay as part of the class work requirement for each module 1A and 1B. A list of essay titles will be made available. Essays should be around 1500 words long and completed essays should be handed in to a member of staff in the Psychology Laboratory who must record the date and time of submission. Essays should not be placed anywhere else. Guidance will be given on essay writing in tutorials. There is also information on the student portal.

4.2.4. Deadlines Course work and other material completed during the academic year needs to be handed in to the Department by a deadline date. The Department cannot function properly if these deadlines are not met. The dates are detailed on the back page this handbook.

Course work that is not handed in to the published receiving agency will be assessed as a zero mark and wherever there is a requirement that ‘all class work has to be completed’ for any semester or session, the semester or session’s class work will be deemed to be incomplete and a CR (Credit Refused) grade will be returned for the course.

Failure to hand in essays or reports in time will result in the following penalties:

One half of an assessment point per day will be deducted for late submission without prior extension having been granted by the class tutor. EXTENSIONS MUST BE ARRANGED BEFORE THE DEADLINE, EVEN IF YOU HAVE A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE, TO COVER LATE SUBMISSION OF WORK. Once marking is complete for a particular piece of course work, a maximum grade of G will be applied to any late submissions of that assessment.

4.2.4.1. Title Page for Submission of Classwork

All classwork should be submitted with a proper title page/plagiarism statement attached. An example can be found below. Please note that work without the proper title page/plagiarism statement will not be accepted.

DATE: …………………………………………………….. MATRIC NO: …………………………. CLASS: 1A/1B (as appropriate) GRADE: ………………………………. ESSAY QUESTION ……..…………………………………………………………………………... Declaration: I have read and understand the Department of Psychology’s guidelines on plagiarism (found in the class handbook) and declare that this essay (report) is entirely my own work. All sources have been acknowledged in the text and included in the reference section. All quotations from other authors are marked as such in the text.

NB. As all work is anonymously marked, please do NOT sign the declaration.


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4.2.5. Registration Registration for tutorials in Psychology 1A. You must attend the computer laboratory during

the 1st

week of semester 1 to register for a tutorial group. Tutorials are held at various times

in the week and you must choose a time that fits into your timetable.

For Psychology 1B, registration and times for tutorial and laboratory times will be ‘rolled’ over, i.e. transferred automatically, but will be cancelled if you do not progress from Psychology 1A.

4.3. EXAMINATIONS

4.3.1. Format The format is as follows:

At the end of each module, 1A and 1B, there is a degree examination. This examination contributes 50% towards your overall assessment for the module.

4.3.2. Exam Weighting In the degree examination for Psychology 1A and Psychology 1B, the multiple choice questions (MCQ) component and the essays component will contribute equally to the degree examination grade (ie 50% each in terms of the Degree Exam) - see the figure in section 4.3.4 and the table in section 4.3.5.

4.3.3. Topics The degree exam will examine the curriculum for the semester in which the module took place, ie module 1A: semester 1 and module 1B: semester 2.

Essay-type questions and multiple choice questions will be targeted on the main learning objectives as indicated in this Course Documentation and any subsequent amendments.

4.3.4. Overall Assessment The overall assessment for each module is derived from 3 grades: (i) a single grade for the degree exam, (ii) a single grade for the Laboratory Portfolio and (iii) a single grade for the class essay

The weightings of these 3 grades in making up the single Course Grade are shown in the following figure.

Failure to complete all coursework prior to the degree examination will result in a student being excluded from the Degree Examination (as described in the University Calendar) and a Course Grade CR returned to the Registry.

+ +

1 essay (25%) 2-hour Degree

Exam

(50%)

1 Laboratory

Portfolio

(25%)

1 essay (25%)


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4.3.5. Course Work Component Weighting Although we do not assess work using a percentage scale, you might find it useful to know the extent to which each course component contributes to the Course Grade (the grade that is returned to the Registry as a measure of your performance on Psychology 1). This is set out below.

MODULE 1A

Course Grade 100%

Degree exam 50%

MCQs 25%

Essay 25%

Coursework 50% Essay 25%

Lab portfolio 25% Report 15% Lab 1 2% Lab 2 2% Lab 3 2% Group Project 4%

MODULE 1B

Course Grade 100%

Degree exam 50%

MCQs 25%

Essay 25%

Coursework 50% Essay 25%

Lab portfolio 25% Report 19% Lab 1 2% Lab 2 2% Lab 3 2%

Please do not underestimate the importance of the components that appear to make only a minimal contribution to the Course Grade.

4.3.6. Timing Degree examinations are normally held in December for Module 1A and May for Module 1B. Resits are normally held in August. All degree examination times are announced by the Registry.

4.3.7. EDPAC Answer Sheets The multiple choice questions set in examinations are scored by a machine which reads pencil marks you make on a special “EDPAC” Answer Sheet to indicate which of the alternatives you have chosen. For all examinations in Level 1 Psychology you must, therefore, provide yourself with at least one sharpened pencil (HB or softer) and a rubber


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(to enable you to make changes - since the mechanical reader does not recognise the difference between a response which has been scored out and one that has not). An example of an EDPAC sheet completed in the appropriate way will be available during tutorials several weeks before the first class exam and it will save you valuable time on the day of the exam if you study it carefully in advance.

4.3.8. Exams Only Candidates Students who are sitting the degree exam as exam only candidates (i.e. students from a previous year with Faculty permission) should note that the degree exam is based on the syllabus for the current session, students should ensure they have a copy of the current course handbook which has details of the syllabus as well as the format of the degree exam

The course information can also be found on the department’s website at http://www.psy.gla.ac.uk/docs/download.php?type=CDOCS&id=26

4.3.9. Publication of Degree Examination Results

The Registry is responsible for publishing examination results and the Department is not allowed to release results directly or by telephone.

4.3.10. Class Work Requirements To be recognised as someone who has duly performed the work of the class and is therefore eligible to sit the Degree Examination you need to satisfy the following requirements for each of Modules 1A and 1B:

1. Submit a report, meeting deadline for submission. 2. Complete 2 of 3 labs. 3. Meet essay deadline. 4. Attend tutorials (75% attendance minimum). All students must complete an essay and lab report in each module. If you think illness or other serious circumstances will prevent you completing any of the course then you should immediately contact the Class Tutor. You will then be advised on what course of action you should take.

4.4. RELEVANT UNIVERSITY RULES

4.4.1. Credit and Credit Transfers Please refer to the relevant sections of the University Calendar.

4.4.2. Re-assessment in a Module Please refer to the relevant sections of the University Calendar.


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4.4.3. Plagiarism The University of Glasgow takes a very strong line against plagiarism. The University’s degrees and other academic awards are given in recognition of a student’s personal achievement. All work submitted by students for assessment is accepted on the understanding that it is the student’s own effort.

Plagiarism is defined as the submission or presentation of work, in any form, which is not one’s own, without acknowledgement of the sources. Special cases of plagiarism can also arise from one student copying another student’s work or from inappropriate collaboration.

For full details of the university’s rules on plagiarism please refer to http://senate.gla.ac.uk/discipline/plagiarism/index.html

4.5. AN IMPORTANT NOTE ON COURSES Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this handbook at the time of going to press. However the content of courses and syllabuses is under regular review and may change from time to time with some courses being cancelled, modified or replaced. Also other factors such as industrial action or the departure of a member of staff may result in it not being possible to offer a course. Courses offered may also be subject to a minimum number of students in any one year. The Department therefore reserves the right without notice to vary the content of its courses & syllabuses and the right to cancel or modify the courses, syllabuses and facilities described in this handbook.

In general the following order of priority should be applied:

1. Announcements and handouts supersede other documents such as this handbook. 2. This handbook is only up to date at the time of going to press (September 08) 3. Past exam papers are obviously only a rough guide to future exams, and are

superseded by any differences of syllabus or exam format by both this handbook and any course handouts and announcements.


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5.5.5.5. SSSSUPPORTUPPORTUPPORTUPPORT

5.1. ASSISTANCE IN THE PSYCHOLOGY

COMPUTER LABS GTAs are stituated in the lab office (see Lab Manual for location) and will answer queries about lab exercises, hand-in of classwork etc. The psychology labs are open Monday – Thursday from 10am – 4.45pm and Friday from 10am – 3.45pm.

5.2. PAL (PEER ASSISTED LEARNING)

SCHEME The Department expects that PAL sessions will be offered in addition to the staff-led teaching. If they are available, we recommend that you attend them. PAL is a scheme offering weekly group meetings for students on a given course, attended voluntarily but officially recommended by the Department, and led not by a staff member but by a "facilitator" who is normally a student who did the course previously. Further information will be circulated to you about this if the scheme proceeds (e.g. via email and the portal), and can also be found at: http://pal.psy.gla.ac.uk/

5.3. COMMUNICATIONS

5.3.1. Announcements Oral announcements will be made at lectures but not everyone attends every lecture and the most reliable means of supplying information to the class is via e-mail. All other information can be found on the student portal.

5.3.2. Portal The Department has a portal supporting students with notices, lecture notes, tutorial information, aids to writing essays/reports etc and a forum. This can be found at http://portal.psy.gla.ac.uk

5.3.3. Availability Of Lecturers For Consultation

All lecturers teaching the Level 1 Class have arranged to set aside at least one hour a week when they can be approached by Level 1 Class students who have enquiries about the course. These times are listed on each lecturer’s door and some will operate an appointments system. Any problems with obtaining a consultation should be immediately taken up with the Course Tutor.


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5.3.4. E-Mail You should use the e-mail facilities to handle basic academic enquiries. We, the Department, will use it to maintain contact with you. You should therefore log in regularly, i.e. at least once a week. Please check your University e-mail account regularly and ensure there is sufficient space to receive new mail.

5.4. CLASS TUTOR & SECRETARY The Class Tutor in 2008 – 2009 is Dr Margaret Martin ([email protected]), tel: 0141-330 3932). At the time of publication the secretary with special responsibility for Level 1 class administration had not been appointed. You will be emailed with contact details in due course.


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6.6.6.6. FFFFURTHER URTHER URTHER URTHER IIIINFORMATIONNFORMATIONNFORMATIONNFORMATION

6.1. EXTERNAL EXAMINER We have an external examiner who is responsible for ensuring the examination process is conducted fairly and to an absolute standard.

6.2. APPEALS PROCEDURE The University has a standard appeals procedure that is set out in detail on the Senate Office web page http://senate.gla.ac.uk/appeals/index.html then click ‘Appeals by students against academic decisions’.

In this document it makes it clear that appeals will not be entertained against marks or decisions of examiners, or other matters of academic judgement. Proper grounds for appeal, which this document makes clear, are medical/personal, or procedural.

The document also states that an appeal against an assessment should be made to the appropriate Faculty Appeals Committee within two weeks of the posting of the mark. Students might find it useful to approach the Teaching Convenor or the Class Tutor for informal advice.

6.3. ATTENDANCE The Department has been recording attendance at tutorials and labs for some time. This year we will also monitor attendance at lectures, as these are also a compulsory element of the course.

Attendance at lectures, tutorials and labs strongly correlates with overall performance on the course so you should make an effort to attend all sessions. Absences should be covered by the appropriate documentation. Please see section 6.4.1 for guidance.

6.4. PROBLEMS, GUIDANCE ETC. All members of staff will be happy to help with problems related to the courses which they teach, so ask if there is material in an option course which you find difficult, or if you are concerned about what (and how much) you should be reading for your revision. We all want you to do well in the examinations and will try to provide additional information that you might need during the year.

Although the class is large there are many points of contact with staff:

1. The lecturers are available for consultation at appointed hours. 2. There is the regular tutorial contact. 3. You can contact the class tutor, Dr Margaret Martin either by email

([email protected]), or in her room (Room 454). 4. There is the e-mail contact with your designated tutor. 5. There is the e-mail contact with the lecturers.


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6.4.1. Illness, Absence and Personal Problems

Any period of illness should be communicated to the relevant Course Tutor. Medical certificates must be provided where appropriate at the time of illness. These must not be sent or handed in to the Department directly but reported using the WEBSURF Absence Report Form found on the WEBSURF site (www.websurf.gla.ac.uk). The Departmental Absence Contacts have full access to student absence reports online via WEBSURF and will be notified via email when an absence form has been completed.

The following table summarises the timing and documentary evidence required when submitting medical evidence:

Duration of Absence Significant? Absence notification via WebSurf required?

Reason for Absence

Medical Evidence required?

Other Evidence required?

Medical NO NO 7 consecutive days or less with no examinations, assignments or compulsory classes missed

NO NO Other NO NO

Medical NO YES 7 consecutive days or less where an examination, assignment deadline or compulsory class has been missed

YES YES Other NO YES

Medical YES NO Any absence of over 7 consecutive days during working periods

YES YES Other NO YES

For detailed information about the Student Absence Policy and how to submit medical evidence via WEBSURF please see the Senate Office Webpge:

http://senate.gla.ac.uk/academic/policies/student_absence_policy.html

6.4.1.1. Consideration of Medical and other Relevant evidence

Please refer to the Code of Practice on Incomplete Assessment and Good cause which can be found in the University Calendar, under General Information for Students.

6.5. DISABILITY The departmental Disability Co-ordinator is Dr Margaret Martin. She liaises with the Student Disability Service and is the person to contact if you have any questions about special needs provision. Contact: Room 454, 58 Hillhead Street, email: [email protected]; tel: 0141-330 3932.


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6.6. CLASS REPRESENTATIVES -

STAFF/STUDENT LIAISON Class Representatives are elected from the year, at least 2 of whom must come from each of the Science, Arts and Social Science Faculties. The elected Representatives become members of the body entitled to be present at Departmental meetings. Through the Representatives, class views can be given at these meetings and details of other departmental business relayed back. Meetings with the Tutor and Course Team are held as and when needed, at least one per semester. It is expected, however, that a more informal dialogue is continued with the course tutor and that most problems are dealt with at this level. These Representatives are also members of their respective Faculty administrative bodies.

Students can either be nominated or nominate themselves. Arrangements for an election (if required) will be made early in Semester 1. Training and support for this role are supplied by the SRC (Student Representative Council), see section 10.

6.7. STUDENT ASSESSMENT OF THE COURSE You will be invited to give your assessment of various components of the course. We very much hope that as many of the class as possible will take advantage of this opportunity so that the sample of opinion will be large and (to that extent) representative. It is only when there is no mistaking the message from a class that it is possible to insist on changes and improvements, so you may be doing future Level 1 Psychology students a favour by drawing attention to unsatisfactory aspects of the course - and, of course, by identifying the parts which seem to be well done.

6.8. HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY The University has a policy regarding the health and safety of staff and students. This covers all activities undertaken as part of the teaching process, from the condition of the steps in the lecture theatre to the handling of hazardous substances and the implementation of possibly hazardous procedures. All students have the right to seek assurances on the safety of any activities in which they may be asked to participate.

Psychology does not require dissection of animals nor does it require animal experimentation as part of its undergraduate degree. Moreover there are no invasive procedures used on human subjects. All apparatus used in experiments has been safety checked and approved. It is unlikely therefore that a student will encounter any problems.

Nevertheless any student who believes there is a health or safety threat should raise the issue with the duty technician and have the matter entered in the safety log book.

6.9. PROGRESSION FROM PSYCHOLOGY 1

6.9.1. Psychology 2A and Psychology 2B (2nd Year)

To guarantee entry to Psychology 2A a student will require the following:

• to have been admitted as a PHP student, see section 1.2

• to have passed Psychology 1A/1B at an average of grade B or better


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Students who are in the PHP category but who have not achieved an average of grade B or better but who have achieved at least a grade D on both Psychology 1A and Psychology 1B may still apply for admission to Psychology 2A. They will be offered places based on the rank order of their average grades in Psychology 1A/1B up to a class limit of 300.

Non PHP students who apply will then be offered any remaining places based on the rank order of their average grades in Psychology 1A/1B up to the class limit of 300. Entry to 2B will depend on successful completion of Psychology 2A.

6.9.1.1. Lectures

Module 2A contains lectures in the following areas:

Cognitive Psychology Experimental Design Perception & Visual Cognition Psychobiology

Module 2B contains lectures in the following areas:

Applying Psychology Developmental Psychology Individual Differences Social Psychology

6.9.1.2. Class Work and Exams

In each of Psychology 2A and Psychology 2B, the following class work and examinations will apply:

• Practicals

• Tutorials - fortnightly

• 1 Essay and 1 Laboratory report

• Examinations - at present 1 x 3 hour exam. Continuous assessment will offer 50% course work and 50% exam.

6.9.1.3. Psychology 2A/2B Year Abroad

Some students might choose to take their Psychology 2A and 2B year abroad at an institution that has courses broadly comparable with our own Psychology 2A and 2B courses. There is a University office that assists in arranging such visits.

Students who choose to do this MUST discuss their plans with the Class Tutor and students MUST agree that if they plan to progress to Psychology 3&4 (honours) they MUST return from their year abroad and sit the Psychology 2A and Psychology 2B Degree Examinations in December and/or June respectively of the year in question. Such students must satisfy the same criteria for Honours entry as do students who take the Psychology 2 course in Glasgow.

Students who do plan to take their Psychology 2A and Psychology 2B year abroad MUST sign a document before they leave that records they have had appropriate discussions with the Class Tutor.

Students should recognise that completing a year abroad, while also preparing for the Psychology 2A and Psychology 2B Degree Examination, represents a substantial workload and should not be entered into without considerable thought and discussion.


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6.9.1.4. Deferment of entry to Psychology 2A/2B

Students who are unable to take up a place they have been offered in Psychology 2A/2B but who wish to defer taking up the place for 12 months can only do so after discussion with the Class Tutor and with her written permission. Permission for deferment must be sought and agreed by the beginning of the academic session in which the place would have normally been taken up. If permission is not sought, the Department cannot guarantee to make the place available in subsequent years.

6.9.2. Progression to Level 3 Entry into Psychology Level 3 is guaranteed to Level 2 applicants who satisfy all of the following four conditions:

1. you must be a Potential Honours Psychology (PHP) student - which means that as a new university entrant you put a UCAS Psychology code on your UCAS form as part of your application to Glasgow University and then also firmly accepted an unconditional offer or a confirmed conditional offer of a place to study Psychology here, either single or joint honours. We hold a list of such students to ensure that mistakes are not made.

2. you must have gained at your first attempt a Level 2 Pass at Grade B. (Averaged over modules 2A and 2B).

3. you must also have obtained at least a grade D in Statistics 1C (or equivalent if agreed by the Department).

4. you must have fulfilled your faculty’s regulations for progression to Honours.

Students who do not satisfy each of these four conditions will not normally be allowed into Level 3 honours Psychology.

The overall grade at Level 2 is made up as follows:

• Class Essays in Psychology 2A/2B contribute 25 %

• Laboratory Portfolios in Psychology 2A/2B contribute 25 %

• Degree examinations in Psychology 2A/2B contributes 50 % Students who did not enter Psychology 1A and Psychology 1B as a UCAS/Psychology student but who perform exceptionally well in Psychology 2A and Psychology 2B may be admitted to Psychology 3 (for Honours entry) at the discretion of the Head of Department. Otherwise students who are not UCAS/Psychology student (i.e. a Potential Honours Psychology (PHP) student) will not be eligible for entry to Honours.

All students who progress to Honours must also have obtained at least a grade D in Statistics 1C (or equivalent if agreed by the Department).

6.9.2.1. Level 3 Lectures

Lecture courses are currently given on:

Cognitive Psychology Comparative Learning & Cog Human Development

Perception & Visual Cog Individual Differences Physiological Psycho

Professional Skills Social Psychology Statistics


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6.9.2.2. Level 3 Class Work

• Tutorials

• 2 Critical Reviews

• 1 Class based MiniProject

• 1 Set of Fixed Labs

• 1 Professional Skills Portfolio

• Individual research presentations at Reading Party

• Part 1 of Honours Exams (approximately 40% - see below)

6.9.3. Psychology Level 4 Very in-depth “options” are offered in final honours, with single honours students selecting 6 options from a choice of 12 at present. These are currently:

Abnormal Psychology

Alcohol Information Processing

Applying Psych. to Education & Computers

Applying Psychology

Biological Bases of Memory & Cog. & Its Disorders

Cog. Neuroscience of Attention & Executive Control

Cog. Neuroscience of Perception

Interaction & Communication

Psychological Interventions – Theories & Practice

Perception & Visual Cognition 1

Perception & Visual Cognition 2

Social Cognition

6.9.3.1. Course Work

• 1 Critical Review

• 1 MaxiProject

• Part 2 of Honours Exams (approximately 60%)

6.10. BRITISH PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

6.10.1. Graduate Basis for Registration In order to eventually work as a Chartered Psychologist in the UK, the British Psychological Society requires students to complete a degree course which gives them Graduate Basis for Registration with the society. The single and joint honours courses in psychology at the University of Glasgow currently allows this.

From 2006/2007 the minimum pass level for GBR eligibility is a Lower Second Honours degree.

Where a joint honours student performs at least at a Lower Second level in Psychology, but is brought down to a Third by their other honours subject, they may be considered as eligible for GBR.

The Practical component at honours (we call this the Maxi Project) must be passed for GBR.

Further information may be obtained by referring to the BPS website: www.bps.org.uk


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6.10.2. Undergraduate Membership of the BPS

The British Psychological Society accepts undergraduate members at low cost. There are many advantages to membership, including a monthly journal, appointments memoranda and access to low-cost major journals in key areas of psychology.


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7.7.7.7. SAMPLESAMPLESAMPLESAMPLE DEGREEDEGREEDEGREEDEGREE

EXAMINATIONEXAMINATIONEXAMINATIONEXAMINATION QQQQUESTIONS FROM UESTIONS FROM UESTIONS FROM UESTIONS FROM

PPPPREVIOUS REVIOUS REVIOUS REVIOUS YYYYEARSEARSEARSEARS Past exam papers are not always a guide to future exams, as both syllabus and format may have changed since then. Any indications in this handbook, course handouts, or announcements supercede past papers as a guide.

Degrees of M.A., M.A.(Soc Sci) and B.Sc. 2008 PSYCHOLOGY 1A: BIOLOGICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL Answer ONE Question 1. The brain can be imaged in three ways: structural imaging, “electrical” functional

imaging, and “blood flow” functional imaging. Give an example of each of these three different techniques and describe their advantages and disadvantages in understanding how the brain works.

2. What is a correlational study? What does a correlation coefficient tell you? Use examples to illustrate the major advantages and the limitations of the use of correlational designs in Psychology.

3. Describe classical conditioning, its key concepts, and how it works. 4. What are the differences between short term (working memory) and long term

memory? 5. Discuss language in nonhumans, with reference to the properties that define what a

full human language is. 6. A diagnostic test for a disease is 99% accurate. It has a false alarm rate of 2%. If you

test positive, what are the chances you have the disease? With reference to the Representativeness Heuristic, explain how this kind of information often misinterpreted.

7. What is adaptation? Discuss examples in terms of different receptor types. Degrees of M.A., M.A.(Soc Sci) and B.Sc. 2008 PSYCHOLOGY 1B: SOCIAL, DEVELOPMENTAL AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES Answer ONE question 1. Describe the different types of phobias, and discuss what the underlying causes of

phobias might be. 2. How can parent–child Attachment be classified? What are the consequences of the

different forms of Attachment for the child? 3. What evidence is there that heredity and environment interact to influence

intelligence? 4. Are males more aggressive than females, and if so, why? 5. Discuss the implications of Stanley Milgram’s (1963) obedience experiment.


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8.8.8.8. LIBRARYLIBRARYLIBRARYLIBRARY RESOURCESRESOURCESRESOURCESRESOURCES FORFORFORFOR

PSYCHOLOGYPSYCHOLOGYPSYCHOLOGYPSYCHOLOGY STUDENTSSTUDENTSSTUDENTSSTUDENTS ATATATAT

GLASGOWGLASGOWGLASGOWGLASGOW UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITYUNIVERSITYUNIVERSITY The main University Library is the twelve-storey building located at the top of Hillhead Street. All students have access to the main University Library, the circular building known as the Reading Room and the Social Science Faculty's Adam Smith Library. Your matriculation card is also your Library card. During term, the University Library has extensive opening hours. These hours vary so it is worth checking the yellow Opening Hours notices placed at the entrance and around the building. Standard opening hours for the main Library are from 7am to 2am, seven days a week. The only days the Library will be shut are 24th/25th December and 1st/2nd January. Hours for the Reading Room, Adam Smith Library and vacation hours for the main Library can be found on the Library web site (http://www.lib.gla.ac.uk)

• The University Library has excellent undergraduate IT facilities - clusters of networked PCs are now available throughout the building. Further PCs are available in the Reading Room. Wired and wireless facilities also exist for students with their own laptops. Most of the public areas are now wireless enabled and the study desks have power points for laptop plug-in. Help with setting up VPN software is also available from the IT support staff on Level 3.

• The Library is zoned to provide quiet, PC free study space, individual study carrels, group study rooms and group seating areas. Please respect the fact that some students need a quiet area to study. Additional group study rooms have been made available on level four.

• The Short Loan Collection (housed on Level 2) provides multiple copies of the most heavily used books. The Library's on-line catalogue helps you to find books by author, title and/or keywords. You can automatically recall books that are out on loan and are encouraged to do so as this alerts the Library to the fact that more copies are needed. Psychology related books available for longer loan periods are located predominantly on Level Five. If you experience problems accessing material that you need for your course please contact Heather, the Subject Librarian, as soon as possible.

• An extensive range of electronic journals from all areas are available via the Library catalogue and support the Library paper holdings. Paper copies of Psychology journals can be found in their own sequence on Level Five. Various bibliographic databases such as Web of Knowledge and PsychInfo are help you locate relevant journal articles to read.

A basic audio tour of the Library is available as a podcast from the library website.

Throughout the academic year a specialist Subject Librarian runs both drop-in information literacy seminars and supports an online interactive course, available via the subject web page. These cover the locating, accessing and quality assessing of all types of information from course books to journal articles including such issues as why you should use a formal database such as Web of Science rather than just relying on Google, how to evaluate and apply quality control on the information you are discovering and how to obtain the full text of articles you have found the reference for.


45

If students register online at the Library website for an ATHENS personal username and password most databases can be used both on and off campus. These resources are very useful in carrying out the Critical Reviews that form part of the continuous assessment.

The Psychology Subject page can be found on the Library website at:

http://www.lib.gla.ac.uk//Subject/Psychology/.

Students in the first two years tend to rely almost entirely on textbooks, since it is impractical to recommend core reading of journal papers for such large classes. Photocopies of major articles from specialist journals are made available for source reading at Levels 3 and 4 in the Adam Smith Library in accordance with copyright legislation.

There are reciprocal arrangements for students to permit them to use the library resources of Strathclyde and Glasgow Caledonian Universities and the city's central reference library, the Mitchell. The latter is one of the country's leading reference collections. Students experiencing any problems in using the Library or finding material can contact the Subject Librarian, Heather Worlledge-Andrew. She has an office on level 8 of the Library (rm. 806) and can be contacted by e-mail on [email protected] or by telephone on extension 6722.

9.9.9.9. SSSSTUDENT TUDENT TUDENT TUDENT RRRREPRESENTATIVE EPRESENTATIVE EPRESENTATIVE EPRESENTATIVE

CCCCOUNCIL OUNCIL OUNCIL OUNCIL (SRC)(SRC)(SRC)(SRC)

9.1. HOW THE SRC CAN HELP YOU Student Representatives: During the early weeks of each course, you will select student representatives who receive training from the SRC and represent your views on Staff-Student Liaison Committees. The role of these students is very important and it’s imperative that you let them know when things are going well and not so well with your course so that they can keep the department informed on everything from teaching to facilities, to ensure that there is continuous improvement.

Advice Centre: The SRC employ professional advisers to help you through any problems you might be having. These can range from welfare issues such as money and accommodation to representation in academic appeals and disciplinary matters. This is a free service, no appointment is necessary and their doors are open from 10-4 (Mon-Thurs) and 10-3 (Fri). You can also contact this service via [email protected].

Vice President (Learning and Development): The VP Learning oversees the whole student representative system, including providing the training. (S)He also represents the views of all students to the University on a variety of Committees. If you have a matter relating to your education, which you feel requires attention, do not hesitate to get in touch via [email protected] or by dropping in to the SRC offices in the John MacIntyre Building on University Avenue.

This and all other information about the SRC is available from our website at www.glasgowstudent.net.


46


47

10.10.10.10. AAAAPPLICATION TO PROGREPPLICATION TO PROGREPPLICATION TO PROGREPPLICATION TO PROGRESS TO SS TO SS TO SS TO

LEVEL LEVEL LEVEL LEVEL 2222 PSYCHOLOGY PSYCHOLOGY PSYCHOLOGY PSYCHOLOGY Please PRINT IN BLOCK CAPITALS

Name: Matriculation Number: Faculty: Arts Science Social Science (Circle your faculty) Adviser of Studies: Department of Adviser of Studies: Are you a PHP student? (Potential Honours Psychology) Yes No (Circle your answer) See section 1.2 for full explanation.

Note: This form must be lodged with the Level 1/Level 2 secretary at Hillhead Street Reception, between Wednesday 1st April and Friday 1st May 2009 inclusive. Applications will only be considered if they are lodged during this period.

Please detach neatly

�

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11.11.11.11. LEVELLEVELLEVELLEVEL 1A/1B1A/1B1A/1B1A/1B PSYCHOLOGYPSYCHOLOGYPSYCHOLOGYPSYCHOLOGY

WORKWORKWORKWORK RECORDRECORDRECORDRECORD (200(200(200(2008888 ---- 2002002002009999))))

CLASSWORK 1A HAND-IN DATE SUBMITTED ON (DATE)

SUBMITTED TO (INITIALS)

Lab 1(available from Sept 29 to Oct 17)

To be completed by 17 October

Report 1 (Based on Lab 1)

To be completed by 27 October

Lab 2(available from Oct 20 to Nov 7)

To be completed by 7 November

Lab 3(sign up) (available from Nov 10 to Nov 28)

To be completed by 28 November

Essay To be completed by 10 November

CLASSWORK 1B HAND-IN DATE SUBMITTED ON (DATE)

SUBMITTED TO (INITIALS)

Lab 1(available from Jan 19 – Feb 6)

To be completed by 6 February

Report 1 (based on Lab 1)

To be completed by 16 Feburary

Lab 2 (available from Feb 9 to Feb 27)

To be completed by 27 Feb

Lab 3 (sign up) (available from Mar 2 to Mar 20)

To be completed by 20 Mar

Essay

To be completed by 9 March

Tut 1 Wk Beg 29/09

Tut 2 Wk Beg 06/10

Tut 3 Wk Beg 13/10

Tut 4 Wk Beg 20/10

Tut 5 Wk Beg 27/10

Tut 6 Wk Beg 03/11

Tut 7 Wk Beg 10/11

Tut 8 Wk Beg 19/01

Tut 9 Wk Beg 26/01

Tut 10 Wk Beg 02/02

Tut 11 Wk Beg 09/02

Tut 12 Wk Beg 16/02

Tut 13 Wk Beg 23/02

Failure to submit work will result in an email sent to you and copied to your adviser.

Penalties for late submission and non-completion are detailed in section 4.2.4 of this handbook.

Documents

LEVEL 1A/1B - University of Glasgosteve/resources/old/Level_1.pdfLevel 1A/1B - Psychology 5 1.3. WHAT THE COURSE QUALIFIES YOU FOR Psychology Level 1A/1B is the first year of a four-year