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Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title Advanced Conceptual Issues in Psychology
Module Code PSYC506
School 37
Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Simon Dunne
Semester 2: Simon Dunne
Autumn: Simon Dunne
Module TeachersSimon Dunne
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Coursework Only
Description

The aims of this module are a) to provide an advanced coverage of conceptual issues, methods and approaches in psychology today, b) to explore how new technologies have changed our minds and behaviours in the modern world, and c) to explore how innovative developments in technology can enhance psychological research approaches.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand and describe the theoretical, conceptual, research and methodological advances, at, or informed by, the forefront of psychological enquiry.
2. Demonstrate a critical awareness of current problems and new insights at the forefront of psychological enquiry today.
3. Conduct a case study on a new or emerging technological innovation used in psychology research.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture2412 Lectures on key topics
Tutorial44 tutorials to supplement lectures on key topics
Independent Study97Preparation for essay and case study assignment
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Lectures and tutorials will cover the following key topics:
Current debates and key issues in modern psychological research · How new thinking about the mind and behaviour can inform different methodological approaches in psychological research · How new technologies have changed our minds and behaviours in the modern world · How innovative technological approaches can help psychologists to answer key research questions

For their assessment on this module, students will be asked to complete two pieces of course work:
1) An essay/position paper which addresses a current debate/key issue in modern psychological research. 2) A case study on a new or emerging technological innovation used in psychology research.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
EssayEssay/position paper to focus on a current debate/key issue in modern psychological research40%n/a
AssignmentIndependent case study on a new or emerging technological innovation used in psychology research60%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • Prof Marc Brysbaert and Prof Kathy Rastle: 2013, Historical and Conceptual Issues in Psychology, Pearson, UK,
  • Hughes, B.M.: 0, Psychology in Crisis, 9781352003000
  • Hughes, B.M.: 2016, Rethinking Psychology: Good Science, bad science, pseudoscience, 9781137303943
  • Bem, S. and de Jong, H.L.: 2013, Theoretical issues in psychology, 3rd, SAGE, Thousand Oaks, US,
  • Turkle, S.: 2011, Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other., Basic Books, New York, US,
  • Greenfield, A.: 2018, Radical Technologies: The design for everyday life, Verso, 978-178478045
  • Massimiano Bucchi (Editor), Brian Trench (Editor): 2014, Routledge Handbook of Public Communication of Science and Technology: Second edition (Routledge International Handbooks), Routledge, UK,
  • Friedenberg, J.: 2008, Artificial Psychology: The Quest for What It Means To Be Human., Psychology Press (Taylor & Francis), New York, US,
  • Jarvis, M.: 2000, Theoretical Approaches in Psychology., Routledge, London, UK,
  • Barend Mons: 2016, Data Stewardship for Open Science: Implementing FAIR Principles, Chapman and Hall/CRC, UK,
  • Bridle, J.: 2018, New Dark Age: Technology and the end of the future, Verso, 978-178663547
  • Martin Farrell: 2014, Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Psychology, Cambridge University Press, 9780521184809
  • Robert J. Sternberg,Diane F. Halpern: 2020, Critical Thinking in Psychology, Cambridge University Press, 9781108739528
Other Resources

61098, Website, 0, Citizen and Open Science, https://ec.europa.eu/research/openscience/index.cfm?pg=citizen&section=monitor, 61099, Website, 0, SCi-GAiA Open Science Platform, http://www.sci-gaia.eu/osp-cs/,
Programme or List of Programmes
MPCMSc in Psychology (Conversion)
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