Module: What is Psychology?

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	What is Psychology?
Module Code	PSY1080 (ITS: PY100)
Faculty	Psychology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	15

Description

This module provides an introduction to the areas of psychology encountered in later modules: biological; cognitive; developmental; organisational; personality; social. This module also introduces students to the essential study skills that students must attain to succeed at studying psychology at higher education level and beyond. These study skills are the building blocks of learning to "do" psychology, which is as important as learning about psychology.

Learning Outcomes

1. Outline, and describe, key historical and current perspectives in the areas of developmental psychology, personality, biological bases of behaviour, cognitive psychology, and social and organisational psychology
2. Identify, and describe, the main psychological perspectives on, and theories of, human development and personality from birth through the lifespan
3. Describe how biological factors influence behaviour
4. Recount major developments in cognitive psychology, including relevant experimentation and theory in perception, thinking, and memory
5. Describe key concepts and theories in social and organisational psychology, including how the influence of others affects the individual and the group
6. Develop key academic and assessment-writing skills necessary for future studies

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	18	Synchronous online classes
Online activity	60	Student-Staff and Student-Student interaction through online discussion forums and other media
Independent Study	297	Using self-directed learning resources, textbooks and other resources
Total Workload: 375

Section Breakdown
CRN	11745	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	James Brunton	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	The first assessment involves the creation of a short piece of academic writing on an applied case study. This task aids you in building up knowledge about psychology and also developing the skills and competencies you need to be a successful higher education learner. The assignment has two parts. First, students submit their assignment and receive feedback. Second, students amend their work on the basis of that feedback and submit it again for marking, along with a statement detailing how they acted on the first-round feedback.	30%	n/a
Completion of online activity	This assessment brings you your first opportunity within the module to get hands-on experience of a psychological test, and then to discuss this with the others in an online discussion forum.	30%	n/a
Assignment	This assessment has two parts. The first involves completing an academic essay on a psychological topic. There is an element of collaborative design of this assessment involving staff and students. The second task is to reflect on the discipline of psychology as an area of study, through the lens of your experience as a first-year student on a psychology programme.	40%	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

Part 1: Introducing Psychology

- A Short History of Psychology

- Getting organised, Getting Familiar: Learning Skills for Higher Education

- Approaches to Learning

- Gathering and Recording Information

- Preparing a Presentation

- Learning in Groups

Part 1: Developmental Psychology

- Investigating Development

- Biological Processes

- Cognitive Development

- Language and Development

- Social Development - The Development of the Self

- Theories of Development

Part 1: Assignment Preparation and Writing Skills

- Preparing for Assessment

- Writing Skills - Making a Start

- The Writing Toolkit

- Referencing and Citing Sources

- Planning your Writing

- Writing Assignments

Part 2: Personality Psychology

- Introduction to Individual Differences

- Personality through Introspection - Theories of Kelly and Rogers

- The Psychoanalytic Model of Sigmund Freud

- Psychological Tests

- The Psychometric Model

- The Psychometric Model Applied to Abilities

- The Psychometric Model Applied to Personality

Part 2: Biological Bases of Psychology

- Basics: The Brain

- The Sensori-motor System

- Biological Bases of Behaviour

- The Ageing Brain

- Clinical Neuropsychology

- Chemical bases of behaviour

Part 3: Cognitive Psychology

- Introduction to Human Cognition

- Perception and Action

- Memory

- Mental Representation and Thinking

- Cognition in Action

Part 3: Social & Organisational Psychology

- Social Context of Human Experience and Behaviour

- The Self and Others

- Social Perception

- Social Psychology of Groups in Organisations

Part 4: Summary and Review

- Review (Psychology Orientated Modules)

- Review (Study Skills Orientated Modules)

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Stangor, C. & Walinga, J.: 2018, Introduction to Psychology, 1st Canadian Edition, B.C. Open Textbook Project, British Columbia https://opentextbc.ca/introductiontopsychology/,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None