COURSE STRUCTURE AND CONTENT

The course comprises 7 lessons, which cover -

Lesson 1. The Nature and Scope of Psychology

• Different approaches to psychology.
• It's all common sense, isn't it?
• Key issues in psychology.
• Free will and determinism.
• Applying psychology.
• Developing questionnaires.

Lesson 2. Neurological Basis of Behaviour

• Structures of the nervous system.
• Central nervous system.
• Peripheral nervous system.
• How nerves transmit messages.
• The brain and method.
• Methods of investigating the brain.
• Brain damage.
• The strange case of Phineas Gage.
• Split brain operations.
• Localisation of function.

Lesson 3. Environmental Effects on Behaviour

• Learning and behaviour.
• Modelling.
• Conditioning.
• Extinction.
• Punishment.
• Learning and memory.
• Memory improvement strategies.

Lesson 4. Consciousness and Perception

• Status of consciousness in psychology.
• Nature of consciousness.
• Relationship between consciousness and perception.
• Unconscious and subconscious.
• Altered state of consciousness.
• Day dreams.
• Sleeping and dreaming.
• Chemically altered perception.
• Perception.
• Selective attention.
• Factors affecting perception.
• Perceptual biases.

Lesson 5. Personality

• Theories of personality.
• Personality traits.
• Theoretical approaches to human personality.
• Id, ego and superego.
• Oedipus Complex.
• Electra Complex.
• Psychological defence mechanisms.
• Genes and personality.
• Personality disorders.
• Multi-trait theories.

Lesson 6. Psychological Development

• Nature vs nurture.
• Environment and development.
• Stages of development.
• Moral development.
• Psychosexual development.
• Psychosocial development.
• Adolescence.
• Adult psychological development.
• Criticisms of stage theories.

Lesson 7. Needs, Drives and Motivation

• Motivation.
• Behaviourist theories of human motivation.
• Drives.
• Maslow's theory of human motivation.
• Complementary and conflicting motives.

COURSE AIMS

This course aims to teach the student how to:

• Explain the nature and scope of psychology.
• Explain characteristics of the neurological basis of behaviour.
• Explain environmental effects on behaviour.
• Explain the differences between consciousness and perception.
• Explain the effect of personality on behaviour.
• Explain psychological development.
• Apply different techniques to motivate people.

Here is just a short example of the type of thing you will learn on the course -

EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT

As you study psychology, you will begin to understand that there are both similarities and differences to be found in every individual; and a great deal of complexity is to be found in the study of psychology. In some respects, we all aspire to be "normal", sharing common ground with everyone else, because that gives us a sense of belonging. At the same time though, we all want to be unique, because that makes us feel important and gives us a sense of value.

There is no such thing as “normal.”  We all have different ideas regarding relationships. In some cultures, the nuclear family (two parents, two children) is often held up as the norm, whilst in other countries the extended family is more regular. But very few people will actually have the “normal” family.  

When we look at normality in terms of mental health, one of the ideas of what is normal is that it is statistically frequent. If we look at families and statistical frequency, we see differences within families. The Office for National Statistics in the UK found that there were 18.2 million families in the UK. Of these - 

• 12.3 million of those were a married couple with/without children
• 2.9 million families were opposite sex cohabiting couples
• 1.9 million children lived with opposite sex cohabiting couples
• 1.9 million lone parents had dependent children
• 26.4 million households in the UK
• 29% of these had only one person
• 20% had four or more people

The fastest growing type of household was that with two or more families. But this only represented 1% of all households.

Relationships in our families are not the only types of relationships we have though. We may have lots of friends, work colleagues or partners and social media friends, so what is “normal” within those relationships?  Again, there is no normal. People may have a number of sexual partners and never settle down with one person. They may meet a person, settle down with them and stay with them. They may be married several times. We may change our friendship groups many times with our lives. The friendships and relationships we have with different people will vary over time and the type of relationship we have with people will vary.

WHAT DO OUR STUDENTS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THE COURSE?

"The online courses are very easy to use and follow. Prompt friendly replies from my tutor to any queries. Course structure flows freely. Very satisfied with course and results."
Diana - Introduction to Psychology, and Psychology and Counselling

What Are the Advantages of Studying Psychology With ACS Distance Education?

• You can start at any time to suit you.
• They are self-paced.
• You can study when and where suits you. They are flexible to fit in around you and your lifestyle.
• Our tutors are all highly qualified experts in psychology, with years of experience in psychology and counselling.
• They are also keen and enthusiastic about their subject and enjoy working with students to improve their knowledge and skills.
• Courses are also updated regularly to meet the demands of the changing needs for knowledge and to keep our courses up to date.

WHAT NEXT?

Our introductory course in psychology provides you with a detailed insight into psychological theories into how the human mind works.

The course is useful for anyone who needs to understand more about how people think for their professional development or personal interest.

You can enrol today by clicking the “Enrol Now” button above.

Or

Click here to Contact a Psychology Tutor.

Or Request a Prospectus Here.