PS486-6-AU-KS:
Culture and Psychology

The details
2024/25
Psychology
Kaplan Singapore
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 13 December 2024
15
16 November 2023

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

BSC C800JS Psychology,
BSC C800NS Psychology

Module description

Today, psychologists have recognized the need to incorporate culture into the study of human behaviour. This module will examine how culture shapes cognition, perception, motivation, and emotion.


It will also look at cross-cultural differences in conceptions of the self, personality, interpersonal behaviour and group processes. Further, the module will look at culture and health. Finally, the module will discuss how intercultural contact and/or acculturation impacts on the individual, but also on interpersonal and intergroup processes.

Module aims

The aim of this module is:



  • To highlight the pervasiveness of culture in all aspects of psychology, through an examination of major theories in cross-cultural psychology and their supporting empirical research.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:



  1. Demonstrate the need for culture in psychological theory and research.

  2. Describe appropriate methods for conducting cross-cultural research.

  3. Describe and evaluate theories on cultural dimensions and values.

  4. Explain how culture impacts on child development.

  5. Explain and demonstrate the theory of self-construal.

  6. Explain and demonstrate differences in thinking styles.

  7. Describe and compare cultural theories on human motivation.

  8. Identify cultural differences in perception of beauty and in close relationships.

  9. Identify what aspects of physical and mental health are / are not culturally variant.

  10. Explain key theories from the field of cultural learning and acculturation.

Module information

This is an advanced module on culture and psychology. For a long time, psychologists assumed that empirical findings were describing, and psychological theory was based on universal processes. However, repeated failure to replicate Western psychology laboratory findings in non-Western settings has since put this universality into question.

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered via:

  • One lecture per week.

Bibliography

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   MCQ In Person Class Test     100% 
Exam  Main exam: Remote, Open Book, 24hr during Partnership 
Exam  Reassessment Main exam: Remote, Open Book, 24hr during September (Reassessment Period) 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
25% 75%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
25% 75%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Nicolas Geeraert, email: geeraert@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Nicolas Geeraert
email: geeraert@essex.ac.uk

 

Availability
No
No
No

External examiner

No external examiner information available for this module.
Resources
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.

 

Further information
Psychology

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