Consumer Psychology MSc

Core modules

• Issues in Scientific Research

  This module is designed to help introduce you to the theoretical and practical complexities of the research process. The module will cover both qualitative and quantitative techniques, and it is aimed as a series of taster sessions. If you feel any of the techniques suit your research, your supervisor, and expert members of staff, will help you learn more about your chosen technique. Research training in the form of literature searching, constructing literature reviews, communicating and publicising your work will also be covered. Additional areas to be covered in this module include: the research process, research techniques, research ethics and scientific writing skills.

• Applied Consumer Psychology

  This module will focus on Social Psychological Approach to Consumer Psychology. Its overall aim is to provide an insight into the psychological and social factors that influence consumer behaviour at various stages of consumption. The module will emphasise the reasons why the study of contemporary consumerism is important in fully understanding human behaviour as well as modern economies. The module will discuss social-psychological aspects of consumers’ functioning such as social influence tactics used in sales, persuasion, advertising or e-commerce alongside the role of consumer’s personality and identity. Application of theories and research to topics such as sustainable consumption, food consumption, branding and advertising will be considered. The module is designed to illustrate the diversity of schools of thought, paradigms and methods present in the field and to demonstrate the multiple ways that the psychology of the individual and groups can be applied to understanding consumers. During the course of the module emphasis will be placed on critical consideration of the application of theory to consumer context. The module will equip students with a range of key transferable skills useful in the workplace, such as oral presentation skills, critical thinking, analysis of cases and application of theory to aid understanding of consumer behaviour. This module is delivered face-to-face over 12h of lectures and 12h of seminars (2h per week) and requires 276h of student managed learning (96 hours lecture/seminar reading and 180 hours reading and preparation for coursework and exam) totalling 300h hours of learning activities.

• Quantitative Research Methods

  Develop an understanding of the most commonly used statistical techniques used in psychological research. This module develops a critical understanding of the principles of data collection and analysis for psychology of various quantitative methods. Practical issues surrounding statistical procedures are delivered in computer practical sessions. These will involve real-world research questions being presented to students. Example data sets will be provided and analysed. You will be required to analyse additional data sets independently and submit these for assessment. The statistical methods taught have been directed by the Economic and Social Research Council's Postgraduate Training Guidelines (4th and 5th editions). These will be written up in APA format, required by psychologists. The course will be delivered through lab-based practical sessions. The module will equip you with a wide range of highly useful transferable, research and analysis skills (such as numerical skills, use of SPSS, IT skills, experimental design, and presentations) which are highly relevant in the employment environment.

• Consumer Analysis

  In the marketing literature, Consumer Analysis entails the initial steps in marketing research that identify and collect information on the target market’s needs, profiles and consumer behaviours. To do so effectively, an in-depth understanding of how the human mind works is essential. Therefore, this module will emphasise the workings of the consumer mind as well as how consumer responses can be altered and measured. In order to explain why humans respond to different types of consumer stimuli it is important to know what captures their attention, how they perceive what they encounter as well as how their memory works. For example, it will be explored how cognitive factors affect the consumer decision-making process and how tactile input can be used to alter or enhance the perception of a product. This module will also introduce you to the functional neuroanatomy and basic principles of brain organisation. Moreover, the module will cover different types of techniques that can be used to research consumer related activities, including experimental methodologies and neuroimaging. The capabilities and limitations of the methods will be discussed and practical examples of their application will be provided. The aim is to provide a coherent picture of how and why consumers act the way they do. The module will be delivered through lectures that will involve both taught content and interactive discussion. The module is assessed through a combination of a portfolio (consisting of 3 smaller components; one 2000 word essay and two 1000 word long critical evaluations) and one unseen exam. The module provides an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of Consumer Psychology, something that is a key requirement for effective marketing management.

• Psychology Dissertation

  This module requires you to undertake a significant research project in the chosen field of study and to present the results of that research in a thesis prepared to the highest scientific professional standards. The research will normally be based on preparatory work undertaken in modules: Issues in Psychological Research and either Quantitative Research Methods or Qualitative Research Methods. The topic may be drawn mainly from a selection of suggested topics related to School research groups (professional subject of interest will be considered provided that a strong case is made and suitable supervision is available). The project topics will be assessed for suitability to ensure that it has the potential for sufficient academic challenge. You will be assigned a supervisor, or, if appropriate, a supervisory team. You'll be expected to make regular reports on the state and progress of your work. These reports will normally be in a written format suitable for incorporation into the final thesis.