Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2022-2023 (archived)

Module PSYC3467: Behaviour Change

Department: Psychology

PSYC3467: Behaviour Change

Type Open Level 3 Credits 10 Availability Available in 2022/23 Module Cap 45 Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • PSYC2232 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To understand theories and practice of behaviour change.

Content

  • This module examines theories and practice of behaviour change.
  • Topics can vary from year to year but are likely to include the application of dual process theories to behaviour change; nudging; norms and social influence; marketing and advertising.
  • Designing and evaluating behaviour change interventions.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Detailed knowledge of theories and practice of behaviour change.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Ability to review and analyse critically evidence derived from different sources.
Key Skills:
  • Good written communication skills
  • Good IT skills in word processing, data manipulation and data presentation
  • Ability to work independently in scholarship and research within broad guidelines

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Students' acquisition of detailed knowledge will be facilitated by lectures, (break-out) small group work, audio-visual materials, discussions and detailed reading lists
  • These modes of teaching provide students with detailed knowledge of key theories and skills needed to evaluate different theoretical positions in light of current evidence
  • The summative essay will assess students' detailed subject knowledge
  • An assessment of the range, recency and appropriateness of sources will be included in the overall assessment of the essay
  • Guided private study and in-class discussions will ensure that students are exposed to a range of different theoretical positions, and encouraged to understand their inter-relations
  • Lectures and in-class discussion will also give students the opportunity to interpret and evaluate the significance of empirical work
  • The summative essay assesses students' acquired knowledge of theoretical principles and empirical studies and their ability to organise and synthesise them coherently and critically in written form in response to a set question
  • The summative essay will also assess students' written communication skills
  • Feedback on the summative essays will be available within 3 teaching weeks allowing students plenty of time to benefit from feedback on this aspect of their work

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 10 1 per week 2 hours 20
Preparation and reading 80
Total 100

Summative Assessment

Component: Essay Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Essay 2500 words 100%

Formative Assessment:

None


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University