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PSY-30125 - Module Specification
School of Psychology
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2022/23 Last Updated: 19 January 2023

PSY-30125 - Culture and Psychology
Coordinator: Rohan Kapitany Tel: +44 1782 7 33385
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733736

Programme/Approved Electives for 2022/23

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

N/A

Barred Combinations

N/A

Description for 2022/23

Today most undergraduate psychology courses focus on a range of key theories and research findings which provide a scientific account of the structure and functions of human psychology. However, this scientific account is largely based on research with samples consisting of undergraduate psychology students from the United States and Europe, with little consideration given to if, and if so, how the same constructs and processes manifest in other cultural contexts.
In light of this reality, Culture and Psychology asks and attends to the following questions: does culture play a role in psychology, and if so, what role does it play?
The module considers the extent to which basic psychological constructs and processes are universal (i.e., the same in every culture) versus culture-specific and the reasons for differences and/or similarities across cultures. Topics that may be covered include but are not limited to communication, cognition, emotion, intelligence, social development, self and identity, and social behaviour. The module also examines how theory and research pertaining to the role and importance of culture on human psychology can be applied to improve practice in different fields. All in all, the module aims to promote global citizenship in an increasingly internationalising world by fostering reflection and critical thinking about the role and importance that culture plays in shaping human thinking and behaviour.

Aims
The module aims to complement the undergraduate psychology programme by building upon and advancing students¿ understanding of the impact of culture on human psychology and behaviour. As such, the module aims to promote global citizenship in an increasingly internationalising world by fostering reflection and critical thinking about the role and importance that culture plays in shaping human thinking and behaviour.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/psy-30125/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

1,2
2
1
1

Study hours

12 * 2 hours synchronous learning
12 * 1 hours asynchronous learning
114 hours of independent study (including preparation for seminars, literature searches, and reading and writing for essays).

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Essay weighted 60%
Discussion on the generalizability of a psychological construct
This is a 1500 word essay in which the task is to take a topic common to western/WEIRD psychology, and examine how it is either similar or variable in a different cultural context. Several topics will be pre-specified, but students may suggest alternative topics which may be approved at the module leaders discretion. Students will be required to define the construct under consideration, identify what the WEIRD conception and findings are on the topic, then identify how this varies (or does not) in different cultural contexts. The students will need to evaluate the utility of the concept and its general application, and identify ways in which research will further our understanding of the concept in a global sense.

2: Essay weighted 40%
Essay
In this 1500 word essay, students will apply their knowledge of theory associated with culture and cultural groups and apply it to a hypothethical group in such a way that is plausible, and likely to help the group succeed in collective-action and socio-cultural problems. Students must draw on their understanding of culture and psychology to propose a range of strategies to ensure that a hypothetical social group can survive and thrive over multi-generational time. The student must address several key factors that will be discussed in class. This essay must use at least 15 references.

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 19 January 2023