Investigating Human Behaviour

Overview

Framework:
RQF
Level:
Level 2
Unit No:
J/505/5388
Credits:
5
Guided learning hours:
40 hours

Assessment Guidance

Portfolio of Evidence.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1.

Know about the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Indicative Content

Learners should research in order to outline the structure and the function of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. They could describe how the central nervous system works to process information through further research. They could also find out how the peripheral nervous system is involved at times of stress. Learners could go on to explain how the nervous system co-ordinates responses to danger, stress and anxiety.

Assessment Criteria

  • 1.1
    Outline the structure and the function of the central nervous system.
  • 1.2
    Outline the structure and function of the peripheral nervous system.
2.

Know theories about human behaviour.

Indicative Content

Learners should be able to outline the biological explanations of how various factors affect human behaviour, such as hunger, thirst, temperature etc. They should also be able to outline the social explanations of how various factors affect human behaviour, for example, three or more of: age, genetics, attitudes, values, perception, culture, social norms and ethics, religious inclination, coercion and influence by authority. Learners could describe research that has been associated with biological and social explanations and go on to explain how psychologists involved in the research reached their conclusions.

Assessment Criteria

  • 2.1
    Outline the biological explanations of how various factors affect human behaviour.
  • 2.2
    Outline the social explanations of how various factors affect human behaviour.
3.

Know methodologies which are used in psychological research.

Indicative Content

Learners should outline the main features of methodologies used in psychological research, for example, in correlational, descriptive and experimental research. They could discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each of the different research methods used in psychological research. Learners could go on to explain the reasons for choosing a particular research methodology for a given study, such as where products are placed in supermarkets/shops or advertising techniques for a particular product.

Assessment Criteria

  • 3.1
    Outline the main features of methodologies used in psychological research.
4.

Be able to design a psychological research study.

Indicative Content

Learners should identify the main ethical guidelines related to psychological research. They could describe the consequences of not carrying out a psychological investigation ethically. They should design a psychological research study to investigate human behaviour, such as why people smoke cigarettes, why people continue to shop at the same places, why people choose designer brands etc. Learners could explain why they have chosen a particular methodology to carry out the study. They could go on to evaluate the methodology used to carry out the study.

Assessment Criteria

  • 4.1
    Identify the main ethical guidelines related to psychological research.
  • 4.2
    Design a psychological research study to investigate human behaviour.