SPE1056 : Brain and Behaviour Across the Lifespan I: Introduction to Psychology and Social Interaction
- Offered for Year: 2022/23
- Available for Study Abroad and Exchange students, subject to proof of pre-requisite knowledge.
- Module Leader(s): Dr Faye Smith
- Owning School: Education, Communication & Language Sci
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
Aims
To give an overview of psychological and sociological factors affecting communication across the lifespan, through 2 strands:
Introduction to Psychology:
To introduce foundation concepts from cognitive and developmental psychology
To explore and evaluate different psychological theories relating to development
To understand important cognitive changes across the lifespan
To develop reporting skills and practice through writing essays, observational reports and logs, and giving presentations.
Social Interaction, Contexts and the Sociology of Communication Impairment:
To provide a practical introduction to the theories of how we perceive ourselves and others and how this influences our interpretation of behaviour and situations, particularly in relation to clinical practice.
To consider the influence of social contexts on behaviour and the role of demographic and cultural factors.
To consider cognitive and psychosocial consequences of ageing and disability.
To provide students with the opportunity to observe, analyse and evaluate interactions between individuals and groups, considering the importance of the environmental context and the respective roles of the individuals.
In addition, students develop their academic skills through this module, including essay writing, critical appraisal oral presentations, debating and report writing.
Outline Of Syllabus
For students studying the clinical programmes (BSc Speech & Language Therapy and Masters of Speech & Language Sciences), the HCPC Standards of Proficiency are of relevance. This module addresses aspects of the following standards but is not the only module to do so:
13.8 understand linguistics and phonetics, psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics and all levels of typical processing
13.10 understand psychology as relevant to lifespan development and change, normal and impaired communication and sychological and social wellbeing
13.11 understand sociology in relation to the practice of speech and language therapy, including its application to educational, health and workplace settings and within multi-cultural contexts
14.4 be able to gather appropriate information
14.13 be aware of a range of research methodologies
14.14 be able to evaluate research and other evidence to inform their own practice
Introduction to Psychology:
Theories of development
Perception, attention and memory
Changes across the lifespan
Nature-nurture debate
Psychology of language
Workshops on academic writing, critical appraisal and referencing
Social Interaction, Contexts and the Sociology of Communication Impairment:
Sense of self and personality
Intuition and social cognitive biases
Social and professional interactions
Group formation, structure and decision making
Influence of social contexts
Psychosocial consequences of ageing and disability
Discrimination and prejudice
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | N/A |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 15 | 2:00 | 30:00 | N/A |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 6 | 1:00 | 6:00 | N/A |
Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 4 | 2:00 | 8:00 | N/A |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | N/A |
Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 134:00 | 134:00 | N/A |
Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Knowledge outcomes are primarily addressed through lecture materials and guided reading/independent study. Skills outcomes are addressed through workshops and class activities e.g. presentations and debates.
Teaching involves a range of practical elements e.g. observing interaction sessions.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
Essay | 1 | A | 50 | Psychology: 2000 words on key debate in field of psychology |
Reflective log | 2 | A | 10 | ReflectiveLog:5 exercises encourage reflection on lecture content using clinical scenarios. Reports have a page limit one A4 sheet |
Report | 2 | M | 40 | Observational Report: Evaluation of a video-recorded clinical interaction. Up to 3 A4 pages double-spaced. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Knowledge outcomes are assessed through the essays. Skills outcomes are promoted by setting a formative essay mid-term in semester 1 and providing timely feedback for students to apply this in their summative essay. The reflective log exercises encourage students to reflect on main knowledge outcomes from certain sessions and reflect on clinical applications. Each exercise is essentially a question for the students to answer that help them to reflect on some of the lecture content and put the techniques into practice e.g. short report on group therapy observation, completing and reflecting on self-perception inventory. Observational report assesses one of the main skill outcomes.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- SPE1056's Timetable