MSc Social and Applied Psychology

Key details

MSC SOCIAL AND APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY

Start Year

2021

Attendance

Full Time

Award

Degree of Master of Science

This MSc in Social and Applied Psychology combines research method training with in-depth study of social psychological topics. You’ll study prejudice and intergroup relations, identity, attitudes and decision-making, as well as applied social psychology and critical social psychology. You’ll get to grips with research methodologies for conducting social psychological research, including measuring implicit and explicit attitudes, interviews and focus groups, experimental design and field experiments.

One of the programme’s key strengths is the opportunity it gives you to experience modern psychological research methods first hand, and to undertake bespoke placements to acquire skills specific to your research aims. It will also equip you with the ability to understand research into social behaviour, prepare research proposals, and undertake your own original research, analysis and synthesis – all within one of current psychology’s most fast-moving and fundamental areas. Plus you’ll develop your transferable skills in oral and written communication, and in the analysis of complex data sets.

The programme includes compulsory modules to give you a solid grounding in the subject’s key areas, and optional modules, which you’ll select according to your specific interests. It builds towards a substantial piece of Master’s research, which you will undertake with the supervision of active researchers in the field. Before applying, we encourage you to contact our academics to discuss the topics you’re interested in researching and find out how we can help you explore those areas.

About

From the proliferation of social media to more traditional human encounters, we all take part in hundreds of social interactions every day. But how do they impact on the way we think, feel, and behave?

Our Social and Applied Psychology Master’s programme combines research methodology training with in-depth study of topics at the cutting-edge of the field. Among other things, it will equip you with the skills to understand research into social behaviour, and it will offer you an optional, tailored research placement, through which you can acquire and hone advanced research skills.

You can complete the course in one year full-time or over two years part-time. It is ideal if you are a high-calibre psychology graduate, or a graduate of a related discipline. It is an excellent choice if you are preparing for a PhD in social psychology, or if you’re looking to pursue a career with a significant research element, such as at a university, in the third sector, or within government.

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Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.

Assessment for Year 1

You’ll primarily be assessed through coursework, including critical reviews, research proposals and a research project.

Structure

You’ll take two compulsory modules, complete a dissertation, and have the choice of two optional modules.

Social Psychology Theory and Methods

In this compulsory module you will examine the scientific study of behaviour at an advanced level. You’ll expand your awareness of research topics and methods at the cutting-edge of social psychology. And you’ll delve into theoretical topics including prejudice and intergroup relations, identity, attitudes and decision-making, as well as applied social psychology and critical social psychology. You'll also learn a range of commonly used methods and practical skills for conducting social psychological research, including measuring implicit and explicit attitudes, interviewing and focus groups, experimental design and field experiments, plus digital tools and research ethics. At the end of the course you’ll have a good understanding of the topics social psychologists are interested in and the way they approach their study.

Psychology Lab Skills

This module gives you an introduction to the techniques and software programmes used in psychology data collection and analysis. You will gain guided hands-on experience and acquire skills that you can put to use in your dissertation research. You will also learn how to conduct both systematic reviews and meta-analysis, gaining an understanding of how each technique can help you in your research. You will use E-Prime software to construct experiments, and have the option to learn MATLAB. You will also learn about the Qualtrics Survey platform.

Dissertation

The dissertation is your opportunity to demonstrate your ability to carry out a piece of independent research on a subject of your choosing. It also allows you to go into greater detail in the area that interests you most. Topics from previous years have included:

Conspiracy theory beliefs: The role of social identity and intergroup emotions
The effect of group status and power to reactions to derogatory comments about outgroup members
Motivating climate change mitigation efforts with availability heuristic priming
Are there gender differences in adolescents’ attentional biases towards empathic stimuli?

Optional modules

You will choose optional modules to complement your studies and areas of interests. Exact modules offered will vary each year but usually include both quantitative and qualitative research options.

Research placement and professional skills

This optional module brings together our expert researchers and research organisations, along with our Careers Service, so that you gain both advanced practice knowledge and the skills you’ll need to increase your employability. In particular, you’ll have the opportunity to gain hands-on experienceand valuable contacts by undertaking a placement in an external setting. Your module leader will help and guide you in your search for a suitable placement organisation. The type of placement is flexible, as long as you’re able to demonstrate that you’ll be utilising your research skills.

Teaching and Learning

You’ll experience a wide range of teaching methods throughout the course, including lectures, seminars, workshops, research placements, and the hands-on use of state-of-the-art research equipment.

Independent Study

Your schedule will include timetabled classes, private study, completion of coursework assignments and preparation for sessions. You will also complete a major independent research project under expert supervision.

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Assessment for Year 1

You’ll primarily be assessed through coursework, including critical reviews, research proposals and a research project.

Compulsory Modules

SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY THEORY AND METHODS

Code PSY-7011A

Credits 40

The aim of this module is to advance your understanding of how social questions can be addressed using social psychology, and to provide you with the conceptual and research tools to do so. With a strong relevance to current social issues, you will delve into the intriguing theories, methods and evidence-based research within social psychology. Throughout your studies you will explore topics such as prejudice and discrimination, judgement and decision-making, attitude and behaviour change, emotions and identity. You will also learn a variety of commonly used methods and practical skills for conducting social psychological research, including questionnaire design, interviews and focus groups, experimental design, field experiments, and neuroimaging methods. On successful completion of this course you will be able to think as a social psychologist in seeking understanding of and solutions to practical and theoretical problems. You will be able to understand key theories and concepts in social psychology, evaluate published research, and make well-informed contributions to discussions about social issues.

DISSERTATION

Code PSY-7001X

Credits 80

The dissertation element of the Master’s programme offers you the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to carry out an independent piece of research on a subject of your choice in greater detail than any taught element of the programme can offer. It allows you to develop and display your skills in independent research, and demonstrate your depth of knowledge of a particular area of research. The dissertation should draw from material from other modules within the Master’s programme.

PSYCHOLOGY LAB SKILLS

Code PSY-7015A

Credits 20

This module gives you an introduction to some important techniques and software programs used in psychology data collection and analysis. You will receive guided hands-on experience. These skills are useful for your dissertation research, and will enhance your CV for job applications. You will learn how to conduct both systematic reviews and meta-analysis, gaining an understanding of how each technique can help you in your research. You will use E-Prime software to construct experiments, as well as receive an introduction to PsychoPy and running online experiments using Gorilla. You will also learn about the Qualtrics Survey platform, for conducting online surveys. Additionally, you will have an opportunity to practice and develop your presentation skills. Your assessment will be essay based.

Optional A Modules

(40 credits)

FURTHER QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Code PSY-7004B

Credits 20

The course builds on coverage of qualitative methods in the Introduction to Social Sciences Research Methods module, where the focus is on developing critical analysis skills that cover a range of ways of gathering and analysing qualitative data.

FURTHER QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH AND STATISTICS

Code PSY-7005B

Credits 20

This module will provide teaching on quantitative research methods, data analysis and the use of statistical software (SPSS). It will provide a grounding in applied statistics which will both develop critical appraisal skills for reading research and enable you to undertake SPSS data analysis.

RESEARCH PLACEMENT AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

Code PSY-7014B

Credits 20

This module brings together UEA expert researchers, host research organisations and the careers service, offering you advanced knowledge of practical field and employability skills. In particular, the module provides the opportunity to gain hands on skills in real life settings. You will gain valuable employment skills and networks for their future career. You will seek placement organisations with Module leader help and guidance. The type of organisation can be flexible as long as you can demonstrate that you are using research skills. Placement admin and coordination takes place within the school.

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Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.

MSc SOCIAL AND APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY