School of Applied Social Science
Matt Adams – Psychology Programme Leader
Applied Psychology
Psychology @ the University of Brighton
• These are our psychology courses
• Applied Psychology & Criminology BA(Hons)
• Applied Psychology & Sociology BA(Hons)
• Are they accredited by the British Psychological Society?
• YES both degrees follows the recommended curriculum of the British Psychology Society (BPS) and confers eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), which is the first step toward becoming a professional psychologist.
What will you study?
Year 1
3 psychology modules: Intro to Applied Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Intro to Research Methods & criminology or sociology modules x 3
Year 2
3 psychology modules: Empirical Psychology; Psychology, Cognition & Social Worlds, Psychology, the Body & Individual Differences & Community Placement
option & x 2 criminology or sociology modules
Year 3
2 psychology modules from range of options (e.g. ecopsychology, cyberpsychology, addiction studies, psychotherapy) & dissertation & criminology
or sociology modules x 2
appliedəˈplʌɪd/Adjective
having a practical purpose or use; derived from or involved with actual phenomena
What is the practical purpose of psychology?
Can it help us to understand real world issues?
Does this mean we don’t bother with theory or research?
What is applied psychology?
• Week-by-week & varied
• E.g. topic based, e.g. belonging
How will you learn?
lecture workshop seminar
Key theoryResearchDebates
ExamplesApplications
Documentary on effects of ostracism in
schools& discussion
Try out ostracism research software& debate
New psychology lab for 2014
• Team of psychology lecturers
• All active psychologists and/or psychotherapists
• We are lecturers but also carrying out research and/or practicing professionals, e.g.:
• The psychological impact of debt & economic crisis (Dr Carl Walker),
• LGBT experiences of suicidal distress (Dr Katherine Johnson)
• Understanding the thought processes involved in social anxiety (Dr Julie Morgan)
• Why does this matter to students?
Who are we?
• Learn to think beyond neat and tidy textbook understandings of psychology
• Embrace novel developments & debates in psychology
• Explore psychology in relation to social issues (e.g. justice and inequality)
• Explore controversies in psychology AND controversies about psychology
Psychology with a twist @ Brighton