Masters Degrees in Psychology of Gender

Why do we become attached to a particular person? How do relationship dynamics change over time? Does objectifying women lead to their mistreatment? When is gender made relevant in and for politics? What does it mean in practice to support someone with autism, and how can we assess support? Does self-modesty differ between cultures? How does economic inequality affect self-perception? What identities are invoked in interview interactions?

In this taught programme in Social Psychology you will enhance your knowledge and understanding of the theories, concepts and methodological tools that constitute social psychology’s distinctive perspective. You will be guided and supported in exploring the social psychological literature. You will be given rigorous training in qualitative and quantitative analyses. You will have diverse opportunities to build your own research experience, through seeking and implementing research-based answers to questions in the field or in the literature. You will participate in our unique problem based approach to providing empirical answers to social psychological questions.

In short, you will learn to think like a social psychologist, and you will learn to do social psychology.

You will benefit from being part of a growing group of friendly, enthusiastic social psychologists working within a vibrant department, in a lovely city. You will benefit from our expertise in working in different cultures, in the field, and with mixed methods. You will also benefit from the breadth and strength of the interdisciplinary academic community at Edinburgh, for example, by having the opportunity to select option courses, attend research seminars across different disciplines, take part in the social psychology reading group or in discursive psychology and conversation analysis data sessions.

Programme structure

You will undertake the following:

Core courses (worth 90 credits in total):

• Univariate Statistics and Methodology using R (10 credits)
• Multivariate Statistics and Methodology using R (10 credits)
• Qualitative Methodologies in Psychological Research (10 credits)
• Psychological Research Skills (20 credits)
• Research Methods for Social Psychology (10 credits)
• Problem-based social psychological research (10 credits)
• Current Topics in Social Psychology (10 credits)
• Critical Social Psychology (10 credits)

Option courses worth 30 credits in total:

• Chosen from a wide range of courses relevant to Social Psychology from Psychology or other disciplines, as approved by the Programme Director

And a Dissertation in Social Psychology (60 credits)

Learning outcomes

The overall aim of this programme 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.

More specifically, on successful completion of this programme, you will be able to:

• think as a social psychologist in seeking understanding of and solutions to practical and theoretical problems
• address the challenges of researching individuals embedded in their social worlds
• understand epistemological issues in social research
• understand key theories and concepts in social psychology
• conduct rigorous independent social psychological research drawing on the range of social psychological approaches and methodologies
• evaluate published research in social psychology
• make well-informed contributions to discussions about social issues

On completion you will also:

• have acquired wider research skills, including giving conference talks, making poster presentations, writing research proposals, knowledge exchange and writing for a lay audience
• be prepared for a range of career paths including PhD work, or the wide variety of careers in which it is valuable to be able to conduct sound social research or evaluation

Career opportunities

The programme will provide relevant preparation for a range of career paths, including:

• undertaking a PhD in Social Psychology or in a related field, possibly leading to an academic career
• undertaking a Professional Doctorate/Masters training programme in Clinical or Health Psychology
• a wide variety of careers where it is valuable to be able to conduct sound social research, or to develop and evaluate practices and policies relating to social behaviour or thinking; such as policy development in education, health, and social care or in areas surrounding marketing; such as opinion-generating, fostering multiculturalism and equality, and communication skills. 

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Overview

The overall aim of the course is to provide students with a structured introduction to undertaking research in social and developmental psychology, and in particular:
- to provide students with the opportunity to study at an advanced level substantive topics at the forefront of current research and theorising in social and developmental psychology;
- to enable students to acquire the skills necessary for undertaking independent research in social and developmental psychology;
- to prepare students for research at the doctoral level or its equivalent in other professional contexts.

See the website http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/blpympsdp

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the programme students should have:
- A command of current research in specific areas of social and developmental psychology;
- The skills necessary to conduct independent research and practical experience of their use;
- Knowledge of the methodological, philosophical and ethical issues in psychological research;
- The ability to situate their own research within current developments in the field.

Continuing

MPhil students who would like to continue to the PhD may apply to do so.

However, candidates should be aware that successful entry onto the MPhil does NOT guarantee
acceptance for the PhD. Every application will be considered on it's merits and must compete with all other applicants for a place on the PhD programme.

Successful applicants will need to achieve a final mark of at least 70% in their MPhil in order to meet the condition of entry.

Teaching

Students attend lectures during the first and second terms. Social psychology lectures focus on fundamental concepts in social cognition, personality and individual differences, gender, and social representations. Developmental psychology lectures focus on child development and adjustment in changing family and social contexts, developmental psychopathology, children and the law, and gender development.

- Feedback
Submitted work is marked by two internal examiners who give feedback to the students. All submitted marks are moderated by the course director who has an overview of the entire cohort.
In addition, supervisors will give feedback on their research projects during supervision sessions.

Assessment

- Thesis
A thesis, of not more than 15,000 words in length, on a subject approved by the Degree Committee.
A viva is usually only required for borderline (pass/distinction or pass/fail) students.

- Essays
Two essays, one of no more than 4,000 words and one of no more than 5,000 words on topics falling within areas of study to be prescribed by the Degree Committee for the Faculty of Biology.
An exercise of approximately 3,000 words in length, consisting of a critical appraisal of a research paper specified by the Degree Committee.
Course-work as prescribed by the Degree Committee on subjects falling within the fields of statistical and research methods.

- Practical assessment
All students are required to complete assessments for statistical and research methods modules where they are available.

Funding Opportunities

There are no specific funding opportunities advertised for this course. For information on more general funding opportunities, please follow the link below.

General Funding Opportunities http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/finance/funding

Find out how to apply here http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/blpympsdp/apply

See the website http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/blpympsdp

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The MPhil Psychology course is aimed at psychology graduates, without a masters degree or equivalent postgraduate experience, who are seeking to develop their knowledge and produce research in a specific area of psychology to a high level of academic achievement.

Initially, you will be registered for an MPhil and will carry out research towards this end. Assuming satisfactory progress, as indicated by a transfer report, you will have the option to request a transfer to the award of PhD. Alternatively you have option of writing-up for an MPhil only if you so wish. Either qualification is awarded subsequent to the production of a thesis and oral examination.

Research topics

Applications are considered in the following areas (these will vary from time to time as notified on our website):

Decision research and economic psychology: particularly, personal and household financial decision making; decision, risk and uncertainty; adaptation to new and unfamiliar currencies; perceptions of price changes and inflation.

Computer-related and internet psychology, including individual differences in computer-related behaviour and attitudes, computer-mediated communication, aspects of cyberpsychology and technology-enhanced learning.

Cognitive and neuropsychology: particularly, memory and rehabilitation after brain injury; object and word recognition; cognition in the neurologically impaired; cerebral asymmetry, motor programming and hand preference.

Theoretical and critical psychology: particularly, psychoanalysis and gender.

Applied psychology, focusing on: aspects of mental and physical health and disability; forensic psychology, including risk assessment, offence-related distress, and working with offenders who minimize offence-responsibility.

Developmental psychology, especially children’s cognitive and social development and social decision making.

Available projects

Projects are available in the areas detailed in the 'research topics' section. Before submitting a formal application you should contact the postgraduate research degree admissions tutor in psychology to discuss the area in which you wish to work. A more detailed proposal of a research topic will then be agreed between you and your supervisor(s) as part of the formal application process.

For more information please visit http://www.bolton.ac.uk/postgrad

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Course Summary

This course meets the stage one Health Psychology training requirements developed by the Division of Health Psychology of the British Psychological Society. Our graduates are successful in working/studying in industry, academia, charitable organisations and the NHS.

The course provides a complete grounding in the theory, themes, professional issues and practical skills central to stage one Health Psychology training. The course has established links with health organisations where students gain work experience and carry out research.

Students can carry out health psychology research with the School of Pharmacy at University College London (UCL): research is jointly supervised by Chartered Health Psychologists at UWL and UCL. UCL School of Pharmacy is one of the most highly rated pharmacy schools in the UK.

You will be encouraged to present your work at health psychology conferences. Students who successfully complete the course have fulfilled the stage one training requirements which are a first step towards Chartered Psychologist status and registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as a Health Psychologist.

When does the course run

The full-time course runs on Monday and Tuesday each week for two semesters followed by time to complete the dissertation. Part-time students attend on Mondays or Tuesdays depending on which stage of the course they are at. We offer you the flexibility to switch from full-time to part-time.

Modules

Biopsychosocial Issues in Health Psychology
Individual Differences in the Psychology of Health and Illness
Chronic Disorder and Health Psychology Interventions
Advanced Research Methods
Practice and Professional Issues in Health Psychology
Supervised Research Project

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