Psychology and Counselling School of Human Sciences

Coursework Assessment Guidance

1.  Learning outcomes of the assessment

1. Students will understand how aspects of Psychology can be used to understand problems and issues in the real word.
   1. Students will have developed their critical and analytical skills.

2.  Rationale for assessment

It is important that students understand how what they are learning can be applied in a broader, non-academic context. The use of psychological theory and research is quite self- evident within the context of the practitioner disciplines, but not always in non-academic settings. This essay allows students to critically analyse how psychological theory and research can help us to understand human behaviour in a broader, real-world context.

3.  Guidelines for the assessment

Students have a choice of the six questions below:

1. Critically discuss the concept of false memories. Use psychological research and theory to support your answer. [You must answer this question if you are on the Forensic Psychology pathway].
   1. Critically discuss the concept of multiple intelligences and its relevance to education. Use psychological research and theory to support your answer. [You must answer this question if you are on the Child Psychology pathway].

• Critically discuss the link between physical activity and mental health problems like depression and anxiety. Use psychological research and theory to support your answer. [You must answer this question if you are on the Sport Psychology pathway].
  • Critically discuss the concept of gender inequality and how it might be reduced. Use psychological research and theory to support your answer.
  • Critically discuss the concept of masculinity and its possible role in preventing men from seeking help. Use psychological research and theory to support your work
  • Critically discuss the role of persuasion in influencing the outcome of an election or referendum. Use psychological research and theory to support your answer.

Pathway students must answer a specific question (as indicated above). Students not on a pathway can answer any question on the list.

General Comments

As with any question, these essays should include a clear introduction that indicates that the you have understood the question and how you intend to approach answering the question (approx. 250 words). The main body should include relevant theory and examples specifically aimed at answering the question (approx. 1000 words). You should also finish with a strong conclusion that emphasises the key points from your main argument and links back to the introduction (approx. 250 words).

The theoretical background of each question is quite different, and you are encouraged to attend the two seminars linked to this assessment for guidance about which question and how to approach answering it. You will have an opportunity during the second seminar to discuss an essay plan with the seminar leader.

All questions require a mix of theory, research and relevant examples. For most of you, this is a very different type of essay question because there is not necessarily a single correct answer. Rather, you must present an argument, supported with evidence, to answer the question.

The most common pitfalls associated with this assessment are not attending the linked seminars, and not answering the specific question, but producing a generic ‘This is

everything that I know about this topic’, answer. It is important to provide relevant theory

but to support that with relevant examples of how the theory relates to the issue.

The question of referencing really depends upon the question chosen and the approach taken to answering the question. All questions require relevant background, and this is generally available from secondary sources such as textbooks and webpages. Please avoid using website such as Wikipedia or Simplypsychology, which are not appropriate sources for academic work at this level. All questions also require more specific information, and depending on the question chosen, this could take the form of case studies, reviews, research, or general opinion pieces. In all cases, some evidence of broad reading of relevant material is expected.