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Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title Advanced Conceptual Issues in Psychology
Module Code PSY1061 (ITS: PSYC506)
Faculty Psychology School Science & Health
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 5
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.


WorkloadFull time hours per semester
TypeHoursDescription
Lecture2412 Lectures on key topics
Tutorial44 tutorials to supplement lectures on key topics
Independent Study97Preparation for essay and case study assignment
Total Workload: 125
Section Breakdown
CRN20977Part of TermSemester 2
Coursework0%Examination Weight0%
Grade Scale40PASSPass Both ElementsY
Resit CategoryRC1Best MarkN
Module Co-ordinatorSimon DunneModule Teacher
Assessment 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;
RC1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module.
RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element.

* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None

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.

Indicative Reading List

Books:
  • 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, 460, 9780521184809
  • Robert J. Sternberg,Diane F. Halpern: 2020, Critical Thinking in Psychology, Cambridge University Press, 402, 9781108739528


Articles:
None
Other Resources

  • 1: Website, Citizen and Open Science,
  • 416213: 1, Website, SCi-GAiA Open Science Platform,
  • http://www.sci-gaia.eu/osp-cs/:

<< Back to Module List View 2024/25 Module Record for PSYC506