Psychology
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Our psychology courses develop your understanding of the processes influencing how people think, feel, behave, and interact, addressing a wide range of conceptual and research issues in contemporary psychology. The courses deal with the broad themes of cognition, individual differences, biological and evolutionary issues, social functioning, and life-span development. At undergraduate and postgraduate levels, we aim to equip our students with a thorough knowledge and critical appreciation of psychological theory and research, and to develop analytical skills that will enable them to pursue successful careers both within the profession and outside it in other fields. Our BSc (Hons) in Psychology and MSc in Occupational Psychology are accredited by the British Psychological Society.
Please note: in the Summer term you can choose to do 2 additional credits of project work related to courses studied in the Spring term. This work is negotiated individual study supported by some tutorial guidance. You should inform your home university and the Student Recruitment and International Office at Goldsmiths of the agreed topic once it has been confirmed. When you tell your International Liaison tutor the topics you are interested in studying, appropriate tutorial guidance arrangements can be considered. You should aim to confirm these details by week 6 of the Spring term.
| Undergraduate Year | Description |
|---|---|
|
Year 1 |
a course for which you do not need any previous experience |
| Year 2 |
assumes that you have had some experience |
| Year 3 |
assumes a specialist knowledge of the |
Year 1
PS51005A
The Psychology of the Person
(4 credits, Autumn; 4 credits, Spring; 2 credits, Summer; )
You explore concepts and theories of human development; methods of studying individual differences; test administration; stability and change in behaviour; inheritance and environment; attitudes and attitude measurement; liking and attraction; and group processes.
The Psychology of the Person
(4 credits, Autumn; 4 credits, Spring; 2 credits, Summer; )
You explore concepts and theories of human development; methods of studying individual differences; test administration; stability and change in behaviour; inheritance and environment; attitudes and attitude measurement; liking and attraction; and group processes.
PS51006A
Biological and Comparative Approaches to Psychology
(4 credits, Autumn; 4 credits, Spring; 2 credits, Summer; )
The course covers theoretical, ethological and comparative perspectives; basic neuroanatomy and neurophysiology; relationships between brain and behaviour; chemical communication in the brain and in the body; genes, chromosomes and the inheritance of behaviour.
Biological and Comparative Approaches to Psychology
(4 credits, Autumn; 4 credits, Spring; 2 credits, Summer; )
The course covers theoretical, ethological and comparative perspectives; basic neuroanatomy and neurophysiology; relationships between brain and behaviour; chemical communication in the brain and in the body; genes, chromosomes and the inheritance of behaviour.
PS51007A
Information Processing and Cognition
(4 credits, Autumn; 4 credits, Spring; 2 credits, Summer; )
You examine aspects of perception; models of short-term memory and long-term memory; retrieval of information from longterm memory; learning in theory: classical and operant conditioning; and cognitive learning.
Information Processing and Cognition
(4 credits, Autumn; 4 credits, Spring; 2 credits, Summer; )
You examine aspects of perception; models of short-term memory and long-term memory; retrieval of information from longterm memory; learning in theory: classical and operant conditioning; and cognitive learning.
PS52001A
Biological Substrates of Behaviour
(4 credits, Autumn; 4 credits, Spring; )
This course covers six major areas of biological psychology: hormones, sexual motivation and sex differences; sleep and arousal; eating and body weight regulation; sexual selection and mate choice; brain evolution and development; and emotions and stress. You consider these topics in terms of neurological, neurophysiological, physiological, biochemical and genetic substrates.
Biological Substrates of Behaviour
(4 credits, Autumn; 4 credits, Spring; )
This course covers six major areas of biological psychology: hormones, sexual motivation and sex differences; sleep and arousal; eating and body weight regulation; sexual selection and mate choice; brain evolution and development; and emotions and stress. You consider these topics in terms of neurological, neurophysiological, physiological, biochemical and genetic substrates.
PS52002A
Personality and Psychopathology
(4 credits, Autumn; 4 credits, Spring; 2 credits, Summer; )
The course looks at the identification and measurement of individual differences of temperament; biological and environmental contributions to individual differences; theories of personality; trait; interaction; and the relation between psychopathology and personality.
Personality and Psychopathology
(4 credits, Autumn; 4 credits, Spring; 2 credits, Summer; )
The course looks at the identification and measurement of individual differences of temperament; biological and environmental contributions to individual differences; theories of personality; trait; interaction; and the relation between psychopathology and personality.
PS52003A
Social Psychology 1
(4 credits, Autumn; 4 credits, Spring; 2 credits, Summer; )
You examine concepts, theories and empirical research related to attitudes and attitude change; norms, conformity and social influence; attribution theory; person perception; non-verbal social behaviour; introduction to the study of social interaction; and interpersonal attraction.
Social Psychology 1
(4 credits, Autumn; 4 credits, Spring; 2 credits, Summer; )
You examine concepts, theories and empirical research related to attitudes and attitude change; norms, conformity and social influence; attribution theory; person perception; non-verbal social behaviour; introduction to the study of social interaction; and interpersonal attraction.
PS52004A
The Psychology of Life-Span Development
(4 credits, Autumn; 4 credits, Spring; 2 credits, Summer; )
You explore concepts and theories of development; the course of development from infancy to old age; the psychology of middle childhood in relation to home and school; adolescence as a developmental period; the development of individual differences and sex differences; midlife, and the effects of ageing.
The Psychology of Life-Span Development
(4 credits, Autumn; 4 credits, Spring; 2 credits, Summer; )
You explore concepts and theories of development; the course of development from infancy to old age; the psychology of middle childhood in relation to home and school; adolescence as a developmental period; the development of individual differences and sex differences; midlife, and the effects of ageing.
PS52006A
Cognitive Psychology
(4 credits, Autumn; 4 credits, Spring; 2 credits, Summer; )
The course examines major topics in the area of cognitive psychology including: attention; visual object recognition; written language processing; working memory: long-term memory and acquired memory problems; everyday memory, representation of knowledge.
Cognitive Psychology
(4 credits, Autumn; 4 credits, Spring; 2 credits, Summer; )
The course examines major topics in the area of cognitive psychology including: attention; visual object recognition; written language processing; working memory: long-term memory and acquired memory problems; everyday memory, representation of knowledge.
PS53002C
Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
(4 credits, Autumn)
This course focuses on two main areas of research: perceptual, motor and cognitive development in infancy and childhood; and attachment and peer relationships. In each area, recent empirical and theoretical advances are discussed.
Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
(4 credits, Autumn)
This course focuses on two main areas of research: perceptual, motor and cognitive development in infancy and childhood; and attachment and peer relationships. In each area, recent empirical and theoretical advances are discussed.
PS53008A
Psychopathology
(4 credits, Spring; 2 credits, Summer; )
Four major forms of psychopathology are considered (depression, anxiety and related disorders, schizophrenia, and addiction) with a focus on: [a] clinical description, [b] theoretical explanations from cognitive/behavioural perspectives, and [c] principles and evaluations of psychological interventions.
Psychopathology
(4 credits, Spring; 2 credits, Summer; )
Four major forms of psychopathology are considered (depression, anxiety and related disorders, schizophrenia, and addiction) with a focus on: [a] clinical description, [b] theoretical explanations from cognitive/behavioural perspectives, and [c] principles and evaluations of psychological interventions.
PS53019B
Attention, Perception, Awareness and Action
(4 credits, Autumn)
The focus of the course is on the scientific investigation of attention, a highly topical aspect of human cognition. You examine experimental, neuropsychological, and cognitive-neuroscientific approaches to attention.
Attention, Perception, Awareness and Action
(4 credits, Autumn)
The focus of the course is on the scientific investigation of attention, a highly topical aspect of human cognition. You examine experimental, neuropsychological, and cognitive-neuroscientific approaches to attention.
PS53020B
Anomalistic Psychology
(4 credits, Spring; 2 credits, Summer; )
You consider the relationship between psychology and parapsychology, which involves a discussion of the distinction between science and pseudoscience. The course also involves critical evaluation of various claims which – if valid – would have profound implications for mainstream psychology (including claims derived from astrology, psychoanalysis, alternative therapies, etc). Various psychological processes which underlie belief in such claims are discussed, and non-paranormal accounts of supposed paranormal experiences (for example, precognitive dreams, sightings of UFOs, out-of-body experiences) are evaluated.
Anomalistic Psychology
(4 credits, Spring; 2 credits, Summer; )
You consider the relationship between psychology and parapsychology, which involves a discussion of the distinction between science and pseudoscience. The course also involves critical evaluation of various claims which – if valid – would have profound implications for mainstream psychology (including claims derived from astrology, psychoanalysis, alternative therapies, etc). Various psychological processes which underlie belief in such claims are discussed, and non-paranormal accounts of supposed paranormal experiences (for example, precognitive dreams, sightings of UFOs, out-of-body experiences) are evaluated.
PS53021B
Organisational Behaviour and Health
(4 credits, Autumn)
This course explores psychological theories and research that question how both organisational and individual characteristics affect productivity and mental health. Topics include: organisational development and change, the design of work, counselling in the workplace, and the determinants of occupational stress and performance.
Organisational Behaviour and Health
(4 credits, Autumn)
This course explores psychological theories and research that question how both organisational and individual characteristics affect productivity and mental health. Topics include: organisational development and change, the design of work, counselling in the workplace, and the determinants of occupational stress and performance.
PS53024A
Topics in Neuropsychology
(4 credits, Spring; 2 credits, Summer; )
This course explores developments in understanding the neuropsychology of both normal and abnormal human functioning. Specific topics include: methodology in neuropsychology and cognitive neuropsychology; main techniques of investigation in neuropsychology; cognitive impairments following brain injury: dysfunctions of perception, language, memory, consciousness, executive processes and voluntary movements; dementia; neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation.
Topics in Neuropsychology
(4 credits, Spring; 2 credits, Summer; )
This course explores developments in understanding the neuropsychology of both normal and abnormal human functioning. Specific topics include: methodology in neuropsychology and cognitive neuropsychology; main techniques of investigation in neuropsychology; cognitive impairments following brain injury: dysfunctions of perception, language, memory, consciousness, executive processes and voluntary movements; dementia; neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation.
PS53030A
Psychology and Law
(4 credits, Spring; 2 credits, Summer; )
The course covers current issues in psychology and law selected from interviewing suspects, false confessions, detection of deception, interviewing witnesses, eyewitness identification, false memories, interviewing children, offender profiling, CCTV, and jury decision making.
Psychology and Law
(4 credits, Spring; 2 credits, Summer; )
The course covers current issues in psychology and law selected from interviewing suspects, false confessions, detection of deception, interviewing witnesses, eyewitness identification, false memories, interviewing children, offender profiling, CCTV, and jury decision making.
PS53031A
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
(4 credits, Autumn)
You explore issues relating to diagnosis, ethics and research methods in connection with a broad range of neuro-developmental disorders. You increase your understanding of atypical neural functioning from a developmental perspective. Consideration is given to the implications of theories of neuro-developmental disorders for understanding normal cognitive functions. Specific topics include autism, dyslexia, specific language impairment, developmental coordination disorder, sensory impairments, ADHD and Williams syndrome.
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
(4 credits, Autumn)
You explore issues relating to diagnosis, ethics and research methods in connection with a broad range of neuro-developmental disorders. You increase your understanding of atypical neural functioning from a developmental perspective. Consideration is given to the implications of theories of neuro-developmental disorders for understanding normal cognitive functions. Specific topics include autism, dyslexia, specific language impairment, developmental coordination disorder, sensory impairments, ADHD and Williams syndrome.
PS53032A
Behavioural Genetics
(4 credits, Spring; 2 credits, Summer; )
You explore issues relating to the use of behavioural genetics techniques, including twin and adoption measures, imaging genomics and multivariate questions such as comorbidity, development and heterogeneity. Consideration is given to the association between genetic and environmental influences as well as ethical issues.
Behavioural Genetics
(4 credits, Spring; 2 credits, Summer; )
You explore issues relating to the use of behavioural genetics techniques, including twin and adoption measures, imaging genomics and multivariate questions such as comorbidity, development and heterogeneity. Consideration is given to the association between genetic and environmental influences as well as ethical issues.
PS53033A
Origins of Human Nature: Comparative and Evolutionary Approaches
(4 credits, Autumn)
The aim of this course is to explore the origins of human intelligence. You consider two major evolutionary theories: the technical intelligence hypothesis; and the social intelligence hypothesis. In terms of technical intelligence, you look at topics such as complex foraging, causality, and tool-use and tool-making. In terms of social intelligence, you consider topics such as theory of mind, deception, and social learning. You also learn about aspects of technical and social intelligence in human hunter-gatherers.
Origins of Human Nature: Comparative and Evolutionary Approaches
(4 credits, Autumn)
The aim of this course is to explore the origins of human intelligence. You consider two major evolutionary theories: the technical intelligence hypothesis; and the social intelligence hypothesis. In terms of technical intelligence, you look at topics such as complex foraging, causality, and tool-use and tool-making. In terms of social intelligence, you consider topics such as theory of mind, deception, and social learning. You also learn about aspects of technical and social intelligence in human hunter-gatherers.
PS53034A
Addictive Behaviour
(4 credits, Autumn; 2 credits, Spring; )
You are introduced to psychological and neurobiological theories of addiction, and consider and evaluate the extent to which behaviours commonly described as ‘addictive’ (including not only dependence on drugs and alcohol, but also excessive engagement in behaviours such as gambling and shopping) are motivated by similar outcomes and reflect the involvement of similar processes. You also consider the efficacy of different treatment approaches.
Addictive Behaviour
(4 credits, Autumn; 2 credits, Spring; )
You are introduced to psychological and neurobiological theories of addiction, and consider and evaluate the extent to which behaviours commonly described as ‘addictive’ (including not only dependence on drugs and alcohol, but also excessive engagement in behaviours such as gambling and shopping) are motivated by similar outcomes and reflect the involvement of similar processes. You also consider the efficacy of different treatment approaches.
PS53035A
Human Relationships in Life-span Perspective
(4 credits, Autumn)
This course provides an understanding of the nature and development of human relationships, including types of relationships, basic principles, and an understanding of relationship processes. The first half of the course focuses on parent-child and peer relationships in infancy, childhood, and adolescence. The second half focuses on romantic relationships in adulthood, and relationships in old age.
Human Relationships in Life-span Perspective
(4 credits, Autumn)
This course provides an understanding of the nature and development of human relationships, including types of relationships, basic principles, and an understanding of relationship processes. The first half of the course focuses on parent-child and peer relationships in infancy, childhood, and adolescence. The second half focuses on romantic relationships in adulthood, and relationships in old age.
PS53036A
Psychological Approaches to Music
(4 credits, Autumn)
This is an introduction to the study of music psychology. Lectures focus on the perception, cognition and neural basis of musical understanding, the perception of musical structure, and emotions and theories about music’s evolutionary roots. The scientific methods used in research are explored in a lab-based class. This course is offered in collaboration with the Department of Music.
Psychological Approaches to Music
(4 credits, Autumn)
This is an introduction to the study of music psychology. Lectures focus on the perception, cognition and neural basis of musical understanding, the perception of musical structure, and emotions and theories about music’s evolutionary roots. The scientific methods used in research are explored in a lab-based class. This course is offered in collaboration with the Department of Music.