The Psychology of Language

Module Identifier
PS20420
Module Title
The Psychology of Language
Academic Year
2027/2028
Semester
Semester 1
Co-ordinator
Dr Victoria Wright
Reading List
View on Aspire
Other Staff
Dr Martine Robson
Dr Saffron Passam
Dr Ioana Mihai
Miss Alexandra Brookes
Dr Victoria Wright

Assessment

Assessment Type

Assessment details

Proportion
Semester Assessment Essay: 2000 Words 50%
Semester Assessment Creative Resource (e.g. poster, leaflet, podcast, short vide: Creative Resource (e.g. poster, leaflet, podcast, short video, script etc) & Rationale 2000 Words 50%
Supplementary Assessment Creative Resource & Rationale: 2000 Words 50%
Supplementary Assessment Essay: 2000 Words 50%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

  1. Explain how language is represented and processed at multiple levels
  2. Interpret psycholinguistic evidence in order to determine how it informs understanding of language processing
  3. Analyse language behaviour from the cognitive perspective to explain language performance
  4. Apply psycholinguistic principles to a real-world context

Brief description

Human language - a unique and powerful human capacity – has fascinated philosophers, scientists and thinkers alike for thousands of years. The study of how humans use language is essential not only in understanding how people communicate with each other, but also in understanding our broader cognitive and social functioning. This module aims to equip students with a broad introduction to the study of language from a cognitive perspective. Students will learn about the key issues, theories and debates in relation to how the mind processes written and spoken language, and in how language relates to other cognitive processes. You will also develop your research and technical skills by gaining practical experience in using some key psycholinguistic research methods and tools.

Content

Introduction to language; Describing language; methods, models and frameworks in psycholinguistics; language acquisition, development and bilingualism; using language: speech production and comprehension; word recognition, reading, spelling; disorders of language.

Module skills

Skills type

Skills details
Application of Number Students will develop analysis and evaluative skills in considering the statistical findings of primary research from the psycholinguistics literature.
Communication As part of this module, students will learn about a variety of aspects of language and communication. Moreover, they will have the opportunity to develop communication skills in a variety of contexts. Students will develop experience in communicating within small groups.
Improving own Learning and Performance Both assessments are designed to encourage students to reflect on their own performance and to be accepting of the feedback of peers and tutors, with the end goal being the improvement of future performance.
Information Technology Students will apply their knowledge of a range of ICT tools to develop their coursework. This will likely include word-processing, spreadsheet and presentation software.
Personal Development and Career planning The focus of this module – language and communication – means that students on this module will have an opportunity to develop and apply their communication skills.
Problem solving In practical sessions, student will work in small groups to solve problems that help build understanding of key psycholinguistic principles.
Research skills Students will need to identify and locate appropriate primary psycholinguistic research resources. They will do this using a range of search tools and databases.
Subject Specific Skills Students on this module will develop knowledge of a range of methods, tools and techniques that are commonly used in psycholinguistic research.
Team work Students will work in small groups in seminar and lab sessions.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5