HS118-4-AU-CO:
Psychology for Speech and Language Therapists
2026/27
Health and Social Care (School of)
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
Monday 12 October 2026
Friday 15 January 2027
15
07 April 2026
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BSC B630 Speech and Language Therapy,
BSC B631 Speech and Language Therapy (Including Year Abroad)
This module introduces key concepts, learning theories and research findings on language, communication and cognitive development across the lifespan from a psychological perspective as well as individual differences such as personality. Students will explore language, cognitive, social and emotional development from pre-natal to older ageing adults. It will examine how development is influenced by both external and internal factors such as human predisposition etc. The module also introduces students to current research methods in this multidisciplinary topic. An emphasis is placed on developing underpinning knowledge required for later modules.
The aims of this module are:
- To provide students with an understanding of development and ageing across the lifespan using normative data;
- To develop students’ understanding of the various factors such as cultural, linguistic and human predisposition that influence cognitive, language, social and emotional development across the lifespan;
- To introduce students to current research methods and findings in the field of lifespan development; and
- To enable students to evaluate lifespan development and communication based on research findings
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Show that speech, language and communication include a spectrum of abilities and individual differences with specific examples
- Discuss the development of cognitive, language and communication skills across the lifespan
- Apply their knowledge of cognitive, language and communication development across the lifespan and health psychology to understand novel case study(ies)
- Examine the impact of underlying cognitive, emotional and social skills on speech, language and communication abilities of individuals across the lifespan
- Explain the development of social and emotional skills across the lifespan
Syllabus information
Indicative list of content to be taught in this module:
- Intro to Learning Theories
- Typical psychological processes: e.g. Memory (Types of memory, WM (model) vs STM), Attention/EF/ToM, perception, motivation
- Cognitive models such as Information Processing, Connectionist models, Schema Theory
- Cognitive Interactionist (e.g. Piaget)
- Cognitive sociocultural theories (e.g. Vygotsky)
- Cognition – growth & ageing
- Introduction to human communication
- The Speech Chain
- Cognitive & Play development & Communication
- Language acquisition theories
- Phonological acquisition & development
- Language and communication development across the lifespan
- Psycholinguistics and neurobiology of language – including research methods/design
- Psycho-/neurolinguistic basis of bilingual language development
- Psychosocial development
- Social relationship and social and emotional development
- Individual differences – personality psychology
- Health Psychology
This module will be delivered via
Students are expected to complete readings either before or after classes, whichever is applicable, and be prepared to engage in discussion either in class or (a)synchronous online activities such as Moodle Wikis.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
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
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Shamala Sundaray, email: s.sundaray@essex.ac.uk.
sltadmin@essex.ac.uk
Yes
No
No
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.
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