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PSYCHOLOGY

FOR THE COLLEGE OF HUMAN SCIENCES: BA students must choose between first-level modules in Psychology and Industrial and Organisational Psychology.
Students who select Psychology as a major subject are advised to include the first-level module in Anthropology (APY1501) and the module PLS2601 in Philosophy (Critical Reasoning) in their curriculum.
FOR THE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY: Students who select Psychology as a major subject are advised to take first level modules in Statistics (or Mathematics) and/or Philosophy before or together with third-level modules.
Major combinations:
NQF Level: 5: PYC1501, PYC1502
NQF Level: 6: PYC2601, PYC2602 or PYC2603, and RSC2601
NQF Level: 7: PYC3701, PYC3702, PYC3703, PYC3704, and PYC3705

Personology - PYC4804
Honours Year module NQF level: 8 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Co-requisite: HMPYC80
Purpose: The purpose of this course work is structured around real-world scenarios that require to be understood in terms of persoanlity characteristics and dynamics. Students are required to apply personality theory in the formulation of interview questions and questionnaire items. Students complete a series of assignments for which they are required to provide context and questions for psychological interviews and questionnaires based on personality theories. They have to self and peer review interview questions and questionnaire items submitted by themselves and fellow students. In addition to the assignments students have to sit for an examination that is structured in terms of tasks similar to those completed in the assignments.
Psychological Survey Development - PYC2616
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 6 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: This module introduces learners in psychology to the collection of information in a structured manner. It thus serves as a resource in research and as a basis for psychological assessment in general. The purpose of this module is to develop skills and competencies amongst qualifying learners to be able to design data collection tools such as questionnaires that are sensitive to people's belief systems and can be implemented in multicultural settings. The module will equip learners with knowledge and understanding of the elements of survey development related to issues of language diversity, gender sensitivity and age appropriateness as understood by different cultures. Learners should furthermore master the principles and procedures related to the administration, analyses and interpretation of results amongst others to evaluate the properties of the questionnaire.
Developmental Psychology - PYC4805
Honours Year module NQF level: 8 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Co-requisite: HMPYC80
Purpose: Developmental Psychology is the study of human development over the entire life span, from conception to death. Developmental Psychology supplies important background information for students who would like to become clinical or counselling psychologists. Knowledge gained by studying developmental psychology is also most valuable for parents, teachers, social workers as well as people in the health professions and in the business world or industry.
Basic Psychology - PYC1501
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 5 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: To gain insight into basic terms, concepts and fields of study in psychology, through studying topics such as the Western and non-Western roots of psychology, contextualisation of knowledge, biological basis of behaviour, perception, thinking, problem solving, intelligence, and creativity.
Social Psychology - PYC3701
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 7 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: To gain insight into the theoretical aspects of social perception and cognition, attitudes, identity, and prejudice, pro- and antisocial behaviour and group behaviour, in order to facilitate the application of social psychology in areas such as clinical psychology, health, organisations, and society in general.
Wellbeing in the HIV/AIDS and Social Care Context - PYC4806
Honours NQF level: 8 Credits: 24
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: Is to equip Students with knowledge, values and skills to enable them to engage with gender and culture sensitive social education on issues such as HIV and AIDS, peer counselling and care in various professional contexts and to promote the psychosocial wellbeing of the communities in which they work and live. Furthermore, Students will be able to develop, implement and evaluate social and behaviour programmes and policies in the workplace and facilitate behaviour change within a local, national, continental and global context.
Psychology in Society - PYC1502
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 5 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: To gain insight into the way in which human behaviour and experience are shaped in societal and environmental contexts, stress processes, motivation in the context of sociopolitical dynamics of society, interpersonal relationships, group functioning, the social nature of work and various social issues (violence, poverty, racism, multiculturalism, gender bias, community development, and the ecological crisis).
Abnormal Behaviour and Mental Health - PYC3702
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 7 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: To identify abnormal behaviour (e.g. mood disorders, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders), to understand abnormal behaviour according to various theoretical models, and to promote mental health.
Psychological Assessment - PYC4807
Honours Year module NQF level: 8 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Co-requisite: HMPYC80
Purpose: The paper in psychological assessment provides the student with a grounding in psychometric test theory and illustrates the practical application of knowledge of psychological testing in situations such as the classroom, industry and clinical settings. The emphasis is not on how to use particular tests, but on responsible test use and meaningful interpretation of psychological test data. Knowledge of psychological testing and the correct use of test results are a professional responsibility, as well as being of considerable personal interest. This paper is particularly relevant for students interested in professional training but will also be useful to anyone with an interest in the assessment of human functioning.
Introduction to Psychology - PYC1511
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 5 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: The purpose of the module is to equip students with skills, knowledge, competencies, values and attitudes to the study of Psychology from an African perspective. The module serves as a theoretical basic foundation for further studies in psychology with an emphasis on understanding the broad fields of psychology as they emerge in Africa. The module will equip the learner with a holistic understanding of psychology and its past. The learner will have an introductory knowledge on how psychology has contributed to the power structures that legitimised inequalities in societies, particularly in Africa. The aim is also to enable the learner to understand, and embrace the African ways of knowing the human functioning. The module also enables the learner to distinguish between the African and the Western ways of thinking in terms of the philosophies that inform how people view the world.
Cognition: Thinking, Memory and Problem Solving - PYC3703
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 7 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: To introduce students to cognitive psychology as a field involving the scientific study of mental processes such as perception, memory, reasoning, problem solving, and intelligence. The module provides an overview of cognitive psychology and tries to help students to develop the ability to (a) interpret, and critically evaluate research and theories about human cognition, and (b) practice and improve their own critical thinking, problem solving and memory skills. The following topics are covered in the module: a brief history of cognitive psychology, cognitive neuroscience, perception, memory, knowledge representation, problem solving, decision making and reasoning, and human and artificial intelligence.
Ecosystemic Psychology - PYC4808
Honours Year module NQF level: 8 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Co-requisite: HMPYC80
Purpose: In this paper students are introduced to the cybernetic paradigm and ecological thinking about human behaviour. First and second order approaches to observation, description and research are explored, and the students personal involvement in the observed processes are emphasised.
Foundations of Sub-Disciplines of Psychology - PYC1512
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 5 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: The purpose of this module is to introduce students to contextually relevant sub-disciplines in psychology. Students who complete this module will be able to contextualise the relevant sub-disciplines to the African context. This module forms a basis for further study in psychology by exposing students to core themes that inform each sub-discipline.
Psychological Research - PYC3704
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 7 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Pre-requisite: RSC2601
Purpose: To enable students to describe the research process, critically evaluate different types of published psychological research, and to execute basic procedures required for data analysis.
Therapeutic Psychology - PYC4809
Honours Year module NQF level: 8 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Co-requisite: HMPYC80
Purpose: This paper introduces students to the study of the following: Existential Therapy Person-centred Therapy; Gestalt Therapy Reality Therapy; The counsellor as person and professional; Behaviour Therapy Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Postmodern Approaches Ethical issues In addition to the introduction to the above approaches, we expect that students should acquire an in-depth knowledge of a specific therapeutic approach of their choice and be willing to disclose how studying this approach affected their self-understanding.
Introduction to Psychological Intervention Perspectives - PYC1513
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 6 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: A psychological intervention is a human interaction informed and governed by some understanding of the nature of human beings. This module offers an introduction to psychological intervention based on historical and multicultural perspectives of the nature of human beings and practices of human interaction. As such the module intends to equip qualifying students with knowledge of psychological intervention within historical, cultural and subject specific contexts. Students are introduced to selected African, Eastern and Western modalities of psychological intervention to foreground different manifestations of agents of intervention, the roles of agents of intervention and the official structures and processes that formulise and licence particular actions as legitimate forms of intervention. Also of interest are the principles and frameworks that render interventions ethical in different contexts.
Transformative Counselling Encounters - PYC3705
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 7 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: Of this module is to equip students with the necessary skills, competencies and values to engage in purposeful encounters between people through meaningful engagement in a counselling framework. Students will develop skills on how to be develop and display sensitivity with regards to the ethos of context appropriate counselling and also understand its potential to enhance humanness and well-being in society. They furthermore acknowledge reflexivity as tools towards social transformation. This module responds to recent initiatives by the Department of Health aimed at making counselling more accessible to a broader constituency. Successful completion of the module does not qualify students to be fully fledged counsellors. The module instead serves as a foundation towards a career in counselling and is guided by the professional ethics of counselling.
Psychology of Work - PYC4810
Honours Year module NQF level: 8 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Co-requisite: HMPYC80
Purpose: The Psychology of Work paper comprises the application of psychological theory, principles and research to issues that are important to workers and management in organisations. The implicit point of departure is that the psychology of work is, in a sense, applied social psychology. In the practical component of the course a student must describe aspects of their work situation. Important issues given attention to are amongst others organisational behaviour; basic human processes; individuals in organisations; group processes; influencing others; organisational processes such as the work environment, organisational structure and design, and organisational change and development.
Personality Theories - PYC2601
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 6 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: To gain insight into the most important personality theories explaining human functioning and behaviour, and to apply these theories (e.g. of Freud, Jung, Rogers, Allport, Maslow, Frankl, the social cognitive learning approach, and the African perspective) in real-life situations.
Abnormal Behaviour and Mental Health (offered from 2025) - PYC3712
Semester module NQF level: 7 Credits: 12
Module presented in
Purpose: The module equips students with knowledge, skills and attitudes to gain a coherent understanding of abnormal behaviour as conceptualised in diverse sociocultural contexts. The module is designed to facilitate student's application of knowledge in the recognition, explanation and referral of instances of abnormal behaviour to relevant service providers and act as agents for the promotion of mental health in communities. On completion of the module students should recognise signs and symptoms of abnormal behaviour in various sociocultural contexts and describe abnormal behaviour according to both African and Western perspectives. Students should be able to explain the development of abnormal behaviour according to different theories. They will have knowledge of relevant resources/referral agencies accessible to their communities and be able to identify appropriate ethical responses to instances of abnormal behaviour and the promotion of mental health in their communities.
Sport Psychology - PYC4812
Honours Year module NQF level: 8 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Co-requisite: HMPYC80
Purpose: Sport psychology is an interdisciplinary field, involving both sport scientists and psychologists, which is not only aimed at helping sport participants to achieve maximal performance, but also to enhance the quality of their involvement in sport.
Child and Adolescent Development - PYC2602
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 6 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: To demonstrate an understanding of the physical, cognitive, emotional, social, personal and moral development of the child and the adolescent, and to promote the optimal development in the child and the adolescent.
Cognitive Psychology (offered from 2025) - PYC3713
Semester module NQF level: 7 Credits: 12
Module presented in Module presented online
Purpose: The purpose of this module is to equip students with competencies in Cognitive psychology which focus on how the human brain and mind process information. This module traces the development of this sub-discipline (cognitive psychology) within psychology's broader history, focusing specifically on the historical context of scientific psychology in Africa. The module promotes self-reflection about memory and thinking skills and fosters the development of metacognitive skills. Students will be able to work in business and educational organisations in which knowledge of cognition and learning is required and will also be able to apply their knowledge in a clinical or cognitive science setting. This module is useful to students in the human, computational, social, neural, and behavioural sciences interested in human cognition and artificial intelligence. Qualifying students will have knowledge of cognitive revolutions, cognitive theories and models of human cognition.
Cognitive NeuroScience - PYC4813
Honours Year module NQF level: 8 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Co-requisite: HMPYC80
Purpose: The module introduces students to current research and theory in cognitive neuroscience. It presents an overview of neural structures and functions, describes the key imaging and electrophysiological methods used in cognitive neuroscience research, and acquaints students with core domains in this area such as attention, vision, memory, language, lesion studies, executive functions of the brain, and the social and emotional brain. The module will be useful to psychology students who are interested in the connection between cognition and neuroscience, and who want to acquire some knowledge of theoretical issues, concepts, and research techniques in this interdisciplinary area. Qualifying students are able to consider the theories and research regarding normal functioning of the human brain as well as the concomitants in behaviour and adaptive functioning after brain injury.
Adulthood and Maturity - PYC2603
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 6 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: To demonstrate an understanding of the physical, cognitive, emotional, social, personal and moral development of the adult, and to enhance the adults psychological maturity and satisfaction with life.
Introduction to Statistical Inference in Psychological Research (offered from 2025) - PYC3714
Semester module NQF level: 7 Credits: 12
Module presented in
Purpose: The purpose of this module is to introduce learners to the histories that shaped the emergence of community psychology globally and in South Africa. Learners will be introduced to the various principles, values and intervention models applied in community psychology, and how these are informed by various theories and schools of community psychology. The module adopts a relational, observatory and narrative approach through which the learners gain insight into current contextual issues in communities and how these can be alleviated through community psychology interventions. On completion of the module, learners should be able to conceptualise community psychological applications, initiatives and interventions through awareness of complex ethical dilemmas whilst building community and public awareness.
Community Psychology: Ecologies of Knowledge - PYC4814
Honours Year module NQF level: 8 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Co-requisite: HMPYC80
Purpose: Of this module is to equip learners with the necessary competencies and values to gain an understanding of how knowledge is created and reproduced in and around communities, as well as in the discipline of community psychology. Learners will be able to interpret particular instances of community knowledge reproduction and knowledge creation in terms of broad historical discourses and ideologies, governing policies and protocols, interest groups (individuals, institutions and sectors), and relevant techniques. Learners will be able to characterise particular communities (including on-line communities and the community of teachers and learners) in terms of how they have been socially constructed and what the effect of different constructions might be.
HIV/AIDS Care and Counselling - PYC2605
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 6 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: To equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to deal with HIV/AIDS within health, welfare, counselling and educational contexts.
Transformative Counselling (offered from 2025) - PYC3715
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 7 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: The purpose of this module is to equip students with the necessary skills, competencies and values to engage in purposeful encounters between people through meaningful engagement in a counselling framework. Students will develop skills on how to be develop and display sensitivity with regards to the ethos of context appropriate counselling and also understand its potential to enhance humanness and well-being in society. They are taught to acknowledge reflexivity as a tool towards social transformation. This module responds to recent initiatives by the Department of Health aimed at making counselling more accessible to a broader constituency. Successful completion of the module does not qualify students to be fully fledged counsellors. The module instead serves as a foundation towards a career in counselling and is guided by the professional ethics of counselling.
Basic Measurement and Questionnaire Design - PYC2606
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 6 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: Is for students to demonstrate knowledge about the design and implementation of a basic psychological questionnaire. The knowledge, skills and values required for successful completion of the module are fundamental to measurement in the social sciences.
Community psychology: Working for change - PYC3716
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 7 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Pre-requisite: PYC2604 or PYC2614
Purpose: Of this module is for learners to gain an understanding of intervention strategies in community psychology. Learners will gain an in-depth understanding of various theories of community psychology intervention and the application of these to a particular organisation. Learners will know how to negotiate entry into and involvement in a community organisation, non-governmental organisation, non-profit organisation or community-based organisation, or any group that renders a service to a community. This will allow learners to gain practical know-how and apply their theoretical understanding of how individuals function in community organisations, and gain an understanding of how such organisations function in communities. Learners will gain appreciation for the fact that change is a complex, contradictory, and confusing phenomenon; rather than coming away with some really neat, clean, all-encompassing and dangerous theory that pretends to explain everything about how change happens.
Personality Theories in Context - PYC2611
Semester module NQF level: 6 Credits: 12
Module presented in
Purpose: The purpose of this module is to equip students with working knowledge and a contextual understanding of personality theories. Students are exposed to various personality theories from different schools of thought with special emphasis on African epistemologies of personality, in order to enable them to interpret and explain human behaviour according to different theoretical approaches and philosophical perspectives. They are required to assess the appropriateness and relevance of these theories in different cultural and historical contexts and, in so doing, to develop an understanding of human behaviour that is relevant to their lived experiences.
Research Methodology - HMPYC80
Honours Year module NQF level: 8 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: Students who complete the module can demonstrate knowledge about the design, conduct and ethics of a small research study, and objectively assess the application of various qualitative and quantitative designs and methodologies in terms of fitness for purpose and context. The knowledge, skills and values required for successful completion of the module are fundamental to studying literature and delivering research outputs in social science.
Child and Adolescent Development - PYC2612
Semester module NQF level: 6 Credits: 12
Module presented in Module presented online
Purpose: The purpose of the module is to introduce learners to the field of study of child and adolescent development within a multicultural context and basic academic and theoretical information about child development from conception up to and including adolescence. Against this background, the module will further acquaint learners with the impact of various family dynamics that are prominent amongst the multicultural South African context which often affect the development of children (e.g. homelessness, child headed households, single parent homes, inequality, poverty and unemployment).
Research Report - HRPYC81
Honours NQF level: 8 Credits: 36
Module presented in English Module presented online
Co-requisite: HMPYC80
Purpose: This module is one of the papers offered in the honours programme in Psychology, for the Honours BA, Honours BA (BSW) and Honours BSc qualifications. Students who complete the module can design and conduct a basic research study and report the findings in the form of a written document. The knowledge, skills and values required for successful completion of the module are fundamental to studying literature and delivering research outputs in social science.
Adulthood and Maturity - PYC2613
Semester module NQF level: 6 Credits: 12
Module presented in Module presented online
Purpose: The purpose of this module is to equip students with skills, knowledge, values, competencies and attitudes. Students should to be able to identify and describe normal adult development and psychological maturity as it applies within diverse socio-cultural groups based on basic theoretical information about normal adult development and psychological maturity from early adulthood to old age.
Psychopathology - PYC4802
Honours Year module NQF level: 8 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Co-requisite: HMPYC80
Purpose: Psychopathology embraces the description, study and interpretation of abnormal behaviour according to various theoretical approaches such as the medical model, the psychodynamic model, the learning theories, the humanistic existential perspective, the family systems and ecosystemic approaches. Selected themes in child and adult psychopathology with emphasis on various contexts and South African society are studied.
Community psychology: Building foundations - PYC2614
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 6 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: The purpose of this module is to introduce learners to the histories that shaped the emergence of community psychology globally and in South Africa. Learners will be introduced to the various principles, values and intervention models applied in community psychology, and how these are informed by various theories and schools of community psychology. The module adopts a relational, observatory and narrative approach through which the learners gain insight into current contextual issues in communities and how these can be alleviated through community psychology interventions. On completion of the module, learners should be able to conceptualise community psychological applications, initiatives and interventions through awareness of complex ethical dilemmas whilst building community and public awareness.
Social Psychology - PYC4803
Honours Year module NQF level: 8 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Co-requisite: HMPYC80
Purpose: Social psychology is the scientific study of the nature and causes of behaviour in social contexts or situations. In our course we examine the fundamental connection between individuals and situations. Social psychological concepts such as identity, social cognition, attribution, attitudes, group processes, prejudice, aggression, pro-social behaviour, social influence and interpersonal relationships are addressed. In an applied section, students complete a research project on a topic of their choice under the guidance of a lecturer.
HIV/AIDS Care and Counselling in an African context - PYC2615
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 6 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: The purpose of this module is to equip students with the necessary knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes and values to (1) required for care and counselling in the African context of HIV/Aids. The module's specific focus on care and counselling will equip students to care for themselves and manage their own lives in the risky environment posed by the Aids epidemic; to specifically in the African context; (2) care for and counsel people in their communities in a culturally sensitive way, aimed at general wellbeing, preventing with the purpose to change risky behaviour, and to facilitate facilitating the breakdown of negative attitudes, stereotypes and misconceptions; and (3) to support people in their communities to manage the effect of HIV on their lives and to encourage general wellbeing.