Page 235 - HKSYU Prospectus 2018-19

Counselling & Psychology

knowledge application in understanding the diversity of criminal behaviour.

PSY 360 Psychology of Relationships: Love, Intimacy, and Self-Regulation
1 Term; 3 Credits

Human beings develop various close relationships throughout their lifespan. These
close relationships are also critical antecedents and consequences of self-regulation. For
instance, romantic partners often have instrumental value in personal goal pursuit while
self-regulatory failures often cause relationship failures. The quality of close relationships is
also the most important source of psychological well-being. Many of the human sufferings are
rooted in problematic (or lack of) close relationships. This course aims to provide scientific
analyses of various aspects of close relationship (romantic relationship in particular) with a
specific focus on their interaction with self-regulation. The course will introduce classic
theories and updated findings on a number of controversial topics such as the role of
self-control in relationship outcomes, the instrumental value of romantic partners in personal
goal pursuit and the effect of romantic break-up on self-concept. The course will first provide
an overview of relationship science, its current status and significance. Then it will be
dedicated to in-depth discussion of specific topics by guiding students to critically review
selected journal articles and book chapters. Topics will be connected to their implications for
building optimal relationships and self-regulation. Students will also have opportunity to
conduct mini-research projects under the guidance of the instructor. Hopefully, this course can
enable students to make sense of their experiences in intimate relationships from a scientific
perspective.

PSY 371-2 Research Project
2 Terms; 6 Credits

The objective of this course is to provide an opportunity for students to put into practice
all the elements of psychological research including: problem identification, generation of
hypotheses, conducting literature survey, designing the research, collecting data, testing the
hypotheses and writing up the research report in accordance with APA stipulation.

PSY 373-4 Capstone Project
2 Terms; 6 Credits

The main aims of the course are to integrate and synthesize counselling and psychology
knowledge and skills; and to prepare students for analysing issues in the professional world.
Students will plan, conduct and write up an independent project. Although research-supported,
the project does not aim to put into practice all the elements of psychological research;
instead, emphasis is on an in-depth analysis of a professional issue, and appling ideas and
practices encountered during the degree programme. Students are encouraged to pursue the
area of psychology in which they have a professional interest. Capstone project is a creative
endeavour that produces and reports new knowledge or professional methods. Project will
have both theoretical/academic and applied components.

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