Social Psychology (Q83)

In this degree, you’ll consider how social psychology can be applied to contemporary life and gain insights into people's behaviour. Why do good people do bad things? What role do digital technologies play in our relationships? How have gender identities changed? You'll examine these and many other psychological questions about the relationship between individual psychology and the complex social world. You'll see how social psychologists use evidence from research in debates on social issues, including discrimination and equality, conflict resolution, migration, happiness and well-being. You'll also explore how psychology is critical to understanding employment, mental health, and relationships.

Key features of the course

• Explores how social psychologists study people as social beings in different contexts

• Investigates the connections between individual lives and social problems, using different theories and approaches

• Gives you an appreciation of different perspectives within psychology and the ability to evaluate them critically

• Builds advanced analytical and communication skills, and enhances your employability

• Relevant to a wide range of career opportunities including social justice, public policy, media and communications.

Course Modules

This social psychology degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.

Stage 1 provides a firm foundation for more specialised study in social psychology and develops essential study skills. You’ll begin by choosing between an introduction to key topics in psychology and counselling or gaining a fascinating overview of the major social science disciplines. This will be followed by exploring how psychologists study our thinking and behaviour – and how academic research can be applied in real-life settings.

At Stage 2, you’ll begin by investigating a range of psychological theories and research that relate to real-world issues and everyday problems – including group behaviour and crowd violence, prejudice and discrimination and obedience and conformity. You’ll also learn about a wide variety of research methods used to explore these issues and undertake your own supervised research projects.

​At Stage 3 you’ll explore current issues, including close relationships, jealousy, identity, the social psychology of memory and remembering, gender, multiculturalism, globalisation and work. In the final module you'll further explore the questions psychologists ask; the methods they choose to answer them; and you’ll complete your degree with an independent research project.