What you will study
You will study recent developments in theories of behavioural science, cognitive psychology, decision-making, and behaviour change, as well as the impact of experience, expertise, social influence, biases, and heuristics, on judgements and choice. The course will introduce you to applications of judgement and decision-making research in areas such as: consumer behaviour; politics; sports; finance; economics; marketing; and health. Your studies will give you a firm basis in both the theory and practice of cognitive psychology, decision-making, and behaviour change. You will also explore current research topics relevant to individual and group decision-making, applications of decision neuroscience, and the psychology of health, environment, and policy-making.
Full time - 1 year
You will study four core, 30 credit, modules plus a Psychology Dissertation, worth 60 credits.
Core modules
Psychology Dissertation
60 credits
The dissertation project will be based on a critical literature review addressing complex and contradictory evidence and will usually require carrying out an empirical study using one or more methodologies of data collection such as experiments, observation, psychometric testing, surveys and questionnaires, interviews and field studies. In all cases, the dissertation will involve the analysis of quantitative and/or qualitative data, as well as the presentation and critical evaluation of research findings. Through independent study and meetings with a project supervisor, the dissertation project will allow you to better understand the role of research methodologies, theoretical considerations and ethical issues in psychological research.
Methods and Statistics
30 credits
This module is a core module in the MSc Child Psychology and MSc Psychology fields. The module introduces you to the essentials of psychological experimentation and to a range of analysis techniques making use of basic and more advanced (eg. multivariate) methods. Both experimental and correlational methods are considered along with appropriate techniques of data analysis (eg. analysis of variance and multiple regression). Both theoretical and practical aspects of experimentation are discussed. The laboratory workshops combine formal teaching with sessions involving hands-on activities. Core factual material is provided via Canvas with workshops being used to explain key concepts and techniques. The module provides an essential introduction to practical work in psychology, in particular for the MSc dissertation project.
Applications of Psychological Research
30 credits
This module provides students with the opportunity to identify and address real-world issues that can benefit from research input by psychologists. Students will gain an appreciation of the challenges of conducting research in professional settings. They will gain 50 hours of work experience in a placement to identify and/or apply psychological research findings in a chosen context under the supervision of a workplace supervisor. In addition, 10 seminars will be held at the University where case studies and examples from current placements will be used to complement the learning objectives. Students will be required to contribute and draw examples of their experiences in their workplace and how this informs research in their specific placements.
It is expected that students will arrange their own work placements; their suitability will be discussed and agreed upon with the module leader and/or the course director. In the absence of an external placement, students will be offered a work placement in the Department of Psychology. Here they will contribute to a current programme of research relevant to their studies.
The nature of the work will usually be determined in part by the focus of the postgraduate programme that a student is following. For example, students of child/developmental psychology may choose to collect data or implement research-led practice in local nurseries and schools; students of clinical psychology may evaluate the efficacy of procedures adopted by local rehabilitation services; and students on the Masters in Behavioural Decision Making are likely to choose a placement in organisation that monitors behavioural change.
Please note: where appropriate, students will need to ensure they have CRB checks in place and, if collecting data in the workplace, that appropriate ethical approvals are in place prior to collecting data.
The workplace activity is intended to extend students' independent research skills in relevant contexts as well as enhancing future employability.
Applications of Behavioural Decision Science
30 credits
The Applications of Behavioural Decision Science module provides students with the opportunity to identify and address real-world issues that can benefit from research input by behavioural decision scientists. This module offers interactive lectures (seminars and workshops) for which students will read pre-assigned scientific articles to inform critical discussions on the limitations and implications of these concepts for the development of applied decision-making competence. The module offers applied research training – working in small research groups/teams under the supervision of KU lecturers. The students will also benefit from regular public lectures by internationally recognised researchers.
The Psychology of Thinking, Judgement and Decision-Making
30 credits
This module explores and critically examines theories of cognitive psychology and of judgement and decision-making. It explores the role of perception and memory in categorisation, thinking, judgement and choice. The module also covers recent developments in normative and descriptive theories of choice, as well as the impact of experience and expertise on categorisation and choice. The module encourages students to evaluate critically whether human thinking is rational, and the normative models with which that rationality is measured. It also introduces students to quantitative models of these processes. Finally, it introduces students to applications of judgement and decision making research in areas such as politics, sports, economics and health.
