Psychology

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/R_PsyL

Course Objective

(A) Subject-specific learning outcomes Upon completion of the course, students:
• Have basic knowledge of the main theoretical frameworks and important debates within psychology.
• Have basic knowledge of the main topics studied within psychology, especially within social psychology and cross-cultural psychology. (B) Academic learning outcomes Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:
• Understand at a basic level how knowledge of psychology can contribute to the study of a specific societal problem.
• Understand the relevance of psychology for the study of law.
• Understand the importance of social and cultural context for the study of law. (C) Social and communication learning outcomes Upon completion of the course, students should:
• Have gained insight into the influence of external factors on human attitudes and behavior.
• Be able to reflect on their own perspective of themselves and others.
• Have gained insight into cross-cultural differences in basic psychological processes.
• Will be able to explain psychological concepts in a straightforward manner, and apply them to or support them by relevant experiments or studies. (D) Study skills and professional orientation
• Have gained insight into how their own learning skills can be improved.
• Have gained insight into how bias can affect personal decision-making and judgment processes

Course Content

This course provides an introduction to psychology. You will become acquainted with the main theoretical frameworks within psychology and learn about different types of psychological research. Topics covered in this course include the foundations of psychology, motivation and emotion, learning and attention, memory, reasoning and intelligence, legal psychology and social psychology. Special attention will be paid to cross-cultural differences in these topics. We will investigate how human attitudes and behavior can influence and be influenced by governmental programs, laws, and measures. You will also learn to apply psychological insights to legal issues, investigative problems, and court proceedings.

Teaching Methods

Lectures Tutorials (attendance is mandatory)

Method of Assessment

(a) Final exam(b) Oral presentation (c) Weekly online tests

Literature

Selected materials from: Gray, P.O., & Bjorklund, D.F. (2018). Psychology (8th ed.). New York: Worth Publishers. Richard H. Thaler & Cass R. Sunstein (2021). Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness. London: Penguin books.