Social Psychology MSc - 2023/4

Other information

The School of Psychology is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:

Employability: The programme is designed to equip students with multiple employability and transferable skills. The modules and assessments will equip students with (1) the knowledge and ability to critically analyse existing literature, (2) the skills necessary to conduct research (e.g., literature review, study design and methodology, data analyses), and (3) the ability to effectively communicate about research in written and oral forms. The programme will also equip students with the ability to use their critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills in different contexts and to apply them to design materials informed by social psychology (e.g., campaigns, interventions, and communication strategies such as leaflets and posters). The range of different tasks and assessments will equip students with the ability to work well independently and in teams while developing good leadership and time management skills.

Digital capabilities: The programme will teach students software to implement surveys, conduct research involving eye-tracking and physiological measures, and conduct qualitative and quantitative data analysis (e.g., Jamovi). As part of their assessments, students will be asked to show their ability to use communication software (e.g., PowerPoint, Prezi, Keynote) to create videos, leaflets, posters, and presentations. Through the programme students will also familiarise themselves with a range of software that facilitates in-class group activities (e.g., padlet, pooleverywhere) and meetings (e.g., Microsoft Teams). By the end of the programme students will be proficient in using a range of different software and will be able to show digital capabilities associated with the employability skills described above.


Sustainability: The programme is designed to allow students to analyse social issues that are central to the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (e.g., gender equality, reduced inequality, health and wellbeing, environmental issues). A compulsory module (PSYM013) will allow students to examine how social influence theories can help us understand key social issues. The module will also allow students to evaluate existing campaigns and identify new ways to tackle these social issues. The optional modules will allow students to focus on specific issues and consider psychologically informed interventions that contribute to the sustainable development goals. Students will also have the opportunity to conduct research that focuses on one of these goals as part of their dissertation project.

Global and cultural capabilities: The programme offers students the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of social psychological theories and their application to real-world issues. Across the modules, students will be presented with cross-cultural scientific evidence challenging the assumptions of some Western-based theories. In doing so, students will be encouraged to analyse cultural differences and ways to address social issues that occur in different parts of the world. When designing interventions or suggesting solutions, they will be prompted to think about the cultural contexts in which such action will be implemented. The programme involves students of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds. This implies that students will have the opportunity to consider different perspectives and broaden their views on specific social issues.

Resourcefulness and resilience: Students are encouraged to actively participate in the activities and discussions that take place in a friendly and safe environment. This will provide them with the opportunity to exchange ideas, work collaboratively, and reflect on their ideas/opinions. These activities will also allow students to build confidence, communication, and professionalism. By sharing their experiences and expertise and listening to others, students will engage in self-reflection and re-consideration of their opinions and judgments. This will equip students with the ability to respond positively to opportunities for exchange, learning, and personal development. By considering different points of view in the tasks and assessments across modules, they will also develop the ability to adapt their knowledge and skills to different contexts and groups of people they are working with.