By the end of the course the learner will therefore have a broad understanding of applied psychological science. The course content will thus be applicable to any job role where knowledge of human behaviour and mental processes, as well as intervention strategies, are relevant or indicated, thus aiding best practice in those contexts and aiding wider societal goals.
Who should complete this course?
Although interest in psychology is common, it is envisioned that the following learner profiles will form the bulk of the course:
- Childcare workers, crèche personnel, youth workers, healthcare assistants and workers in a caring capacity requiring an empathic yet evidence-based understanding of psychological problems, thus enabling best practice.
- Individuals interested in psychology broadly, and applied psychology in particular, perhaps with an aim towards self-development and personal growth, or with a future career goal within psychology.
- Individuals from a business or human resources background who wish to gain a greater knowledge of applied psychology – such as organizational psychology – for the purposes of greater communication, emotional intelligence, and similar soft skills.
- Other learners working towards a major qualification of which applied psychology is a component.
Unit 1: The Birth of Applied Psychological Science
- The History of Psychology
- The Major Themes in Psychology – Structure and Process.
- Behaviourism, Psychoanalysis, Cognitive Psychology and Other Perspectives
- WWII and the Rise of Clinical Psychology.
- Positive Psychology – a New Perspective? The Power of Beliefs
Unit 2: Research Methods and the Necessity of Statistics
Basic and Applied Research Methods (e.g. laboratory experiments, field studies etc.)
- Why Statistics is Important
- Descriptive Statistics
- Inferential Statistics
- Normal Distribution
Unit 3: The Major Branches of Applied Psychological Science I
Clinical Psychology and Counselling Psychology
- Health Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Special Focus – Psychology in Application: Psychology and Social Care Contexts. Learner self-reflection on own assumptions, beliefs and values in light of research.
- Professional Issues: Becoming a Clinical, Counselling, Health or Educational Psychologist.
Unit 4: The Major Branches of Applied Psychological Science II
- Forensic Psychology
- Occupational Psychology
- Sports Psychology
- Special Focus – Psychology in Application: Eyewitness Testimony and Lie-Detection Research. Learner self-reflection on own assumptions, beliefs and values in light of research.
- Becoming a Forensic, Occupational or Sports Psychologist.
Unit 5: Carrying out Applied Research: Ethics and Report/Essay Writing.
- Ethics in Psychological Science (covert observation; confidentiality and informed consent; BPS and IPS guidelines etc.).
- Special Focus – Ethics in Application: Milgram; Zimbardo; Child and Adult Research; Animal Research. Learner self-reflection on own assumptions, beliefs and values in light of research.
- Writing Applied Psychological Reports (Referencing Guidelines; Report Structure; Quantitative and Qualitative Reports).
- Writing Essays and Literature Reviews.
- Assignment Briefs and Guidelines.
