THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2025/2026

Draft Edition - Due to be published Thursday 10th April 2025

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences : Psychology

Postgraduate Course: Current Approaches in Social Psychology (PSYL11111)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis course is taught using a combination of lecture and seminar sessions. The aim of the course is to learn about approaches required to conduct research in social psychology, and current topics in this field of research.
Course description For the lecture part of the course, students will learn about different approaches to conducting research in social psychology. This may include, for example, field research, observational methods, working across cultures, and qualitative approaches.

For the seminar part of the course students will read, present, and facilitate a discussion on recent papers in social psychology. Discussions may include specific questions about the paper but should focus on critiquing the work, examining the topic in more detail, exploring extensions, and situating the topic within the broader field of social psychology. Students will be responsible for presenting throughout the course, are expected to carefully read and understand the papers, and contribute actively to the group discussion.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Understand the range of approaches involved in conducting research in social psychology, their ethical implications, and the possibilities and limitations of each approach.
  2. Obtain knowledge on current topics in social psychology and be able to critically evaluate this research.
  3. Communicate clearly in speech and writing about theoretical, methodological, and practical implications of social psychological research.
  4. Effectively contribute to academic discussions as a speaker, listener, and discussant.
Reading List
Reading list is determined by the papers selected by students for their presentations (varies each year).
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Students will learn to critically evaluate different methods and research conducted in social psychology. They will develop their communication skills, scientific writing, and ability to work with one another.
Special Arrangements Quota 25 students (or equivalent cohort size of MSc Social Psychology if greater).
Required for students enrolled in MSc social psychology.
Students enrolled in the MSc Social Psychology programme are strongly encouraged to take Qualitative Methodologies in Psychological Research in addition to Current Approaches in Social Psychology.
Closed to other students except students enrolled in MSc Psychological Research and MSc Research if additional space available.
Keywordssocial psychology,conduct research,methods,approaches,current topics
Contacts
Course organiserDr Sarah Stanton
Tel: (0131 6)50 8387
Email:
Course secretaryMiss Mollie Fordyce
Tel:
Email:
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