Bachelor of Arts Honours in Psychology

Purpose

The main purpose of Bachelor of Arts Honours in Psychology is to provide learners with appropriate skills, knowledge and attitude to contribute to the field of Psychology. Learners will be able to apply psychological theories and methodologies and contribute to the current debates in psychology in the South Africa context and internationally. Learners will be able to plan, design and execute research using the relevant methodology, report on the findings and contribute to the generation of new knowledge that may be used to address pertinent health issues affecting South Africa and globally.

A qualified learner will be able to

• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the general principles, theories and methodological approaches underpinning the scientific study of psychology, within a multicultural context.
• Distinguish between normal and abnormal behavioural characteristics while recognising the difficulties associated when making such a distinction.
• Administer, score and provisionally interpret psychological assessment measures that they have been trained to use ethically and professionally and prepare a written report on the results.
• Demonstrate appropriate listening, clarifying, probing and reflection skills within a group and an individual intervention context.
• Demonstrate the systematic application of behavioural research methods as well as data collection and analysis methods to generate answers to human behaviour questions in a scientific way.
• Demonstrate a commitment to assisting in the optimal development and functioning of all South Africans and respect for the basic human rights of others.
• Exhibit the skills of interrogating multiple sources of knowledge in psychology, and evaluating both this knowledge and the process of psychological knowledge production to analyse and address complex and abstract psychological problems.
• Apply their knowledge and understanding, and problem-solving abilities in new or relatively unfamiliar environments within broader or multidisciplinary contexts and can handle complexity, integrate different knowledge perspectives and interests and accommodate multiple views to reality.
• Communicate and share their conclusions and views, and the knowledge and rationale underpinning these, to specialist and non-specialist audiences clearly and unambiguously using appropriate discourse, suitable audio visual tools and technology, as well as appropriate referencing conventions.
• Manage their own learning and demonstrate the attributes of learning-driven and self-directed learners.
• Work in a group as a member or leader and take full responsibility for own work, and, where appropriate, that of fellow students, as well as accountability for her/his own actions and where necessary, those of fellow students.

Rationale

The Bachelor of Arts Honours in Psychology prepares learners for advanced study in Psychology, and to obtain employment in a range of psychology-related vocational pursuits. The qualification is designed to consolidate and deepen the learners' expertise in the disciplines of five core and aligned fields within Psychology, namely Psychopathology, Community-based Counselling, Cognitive Psychology, Therapeutic interventions, Psychological assessment, Developmental Psychology, Neuropsychology and Social Psychology.

Learners will work in a diverse range of fields including National and Provincial Governments and the Private sector. Learners will also work as consultants.

The qualification was developed in response to the high demand for Clinical Psychologists, Social Work and Counselling Professionals. This was evident in the DHET National List of Occupations in High Demand (South Africa, 2018:16) and the Labour Market Intelligence Partnership report and a Technical report (2018).

The Honours Degree is the bridge to further postgraduate research-based studies and it is expected that many Honours learners will progress to Master's and Doctoral studies and contribute to research-based solutions to challenges and issues.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL is the process through which informal learning is measured, evaluated and translated into perceived formal equivalents for recognition across different contexts. The goal of RPL is the facilitation of alternative access and admission to higher education or progression within a qualification.

RPL is undertaken in line with the institution's policies on the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT). The institution will use RPL and CAT as important tools to widen access with success, to achieve inclusion and to overcome barriers to access in higher education. RPL and CAT policies play important roles in promoting lifelong learning and in redressing inequities by providing alternative routes into higher education.

Recognition of Prior Learning may be used for

• Granting access to the qualification.
• Gaining credits towards a qualification.
• Obtaining this qualification in part.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• A Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Bachelor of Psychology, NQF Level 7.

Or

• A comparable Bachelor's Degree with Psychology, NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and/or elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8,105 Credits

• Psychopathology, 15 Credits.
• Research Methodology, 30 Credits.
• Research Report, 15 Credits.
• Community-Based Counselling Psychology, 15 Credits.
• Cognitive Psychology, 15 Credits.
• Psychological Assessment, 15 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 8,15 Credits (Select one module)

• Developmental Psychology
• Neuropsychology
• Social psychology
• Therapeutic Interventions

1. Apply and evaluate general principles, theories and methodological approaches underpinning the scientific study of psychology and intervention within a multicultural context.
2. Distinguish between normal and abnormal behavioural characteristics while recognising the difficulties associated when making such a distinction.
3. Analyse general theoretical underpinnings of psychological measurement and assessment within a multi-cultural context.
4. Administer, score, provisionally interpret and report on psychological assessment measures that they have been trained to use ethically and professionally.
5. Demonstrate appropriate listening, clarifying, probing and reflection skills within a group and an individual intervention context.
6. Identify and analyse behavioural research methods, data collection and analysis methods to generate answers to human behaviour questions in a scientific way.
7. Identify and apply professional ethics and rules in psychology and conduct in practice within a South African context.
8. Critically reflect on the development and functioning of all South Africans and respect for basic human rights.
9. Analyse and evaluate multiple sources of knowledge in psychology and the process of psychological knowledge production to address complex and abstract psychological problems.
10. Apply problem-solving skills in new or relatively unfamiliar environments within broader or multidisciplinary contexts and handle complexity, integrate different knowledge perspectives and interests and accommodate multiple views to reality.
11. Communicate and share their conclusions and views, and the knowledge and rationale underpinning these, to specialist and non-specialist audiences clearly and unambiguously using appropriate discourse, suitable audio visual tools and technology, as well as appropriate referencing conventions.
12. Manage their own learning and demonstrate the attributes of learning-driven and self-directed learners.
13. Work in a group as a member or leader, and take full responsibility for own work and, where applicable, that of fellow students, as well as accountability for her/his own actions and where necessary, those of fellow students.

Associated Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated manner to the Exit level Outcomes

• Evaluate theories, principles, procedures and practices, research methodologies, methods and techniques in psychology.
• Critically analyse theories and principles that underpin psychological interventions within a multi-cultural context.
• Compare and contrast between normal and abnormal behaviours.
• Critically assess theoretical underpinnings of psychological measurement and intervention within a multi-cultural context.
• Administer, score, interpret psychological assessment measures and ensure the written reports adhere to standard conventions.
• The ability to listen, ask clarity seeking questions and probing questions is demonstrated in individual and group sessions.
• Undertake independent research in psychology which will demonstrate the following outcomes:

> Conceptualisation - where the project question and scope are decided.

> Preparation of a literature review in support of the project.

> Preparation of a project plan including timeframes and budget, goals, targets and indicators.

> Identification of appropriate methods, including statistical methods, where a range of methods are considered and the appropriate ones are chosen.

> Identification of ethical issues, where all ethical issues are considered and approval sought if necessary.

> Collection, collation and analysis of data.

> Interpretation and discussion of data in the context of the available information gathered in the literature review.

> Formulation of recommendations.

• Preparation of a research report in a format that is appropriate for the discipline.
• Identify ethical issues in psychology and how best to address them.
• Critically evaluate a range of different sources used to address complex and abstract psychological problems.
• Apply familiar and unfamiliar contexts, when making psychological assessments, advanced knowledge and skills are correctly applied.
• Communicate the results of the research project to both professional and lay or community audiences using appropriate language and technology.
• Use appropriate language in the research report uses appropriate language and present the report in the approved style and adheres to norms for scientific writing in economics.