Page 232 - HKSYU Prospectus 2023-24

Shue Yan University Prospectus 2023-24

DESCRIPTION OF COURSES (MSSPsy PROGRAMME)

PSY 501 Research Methods and Statistics I
1 Term; 3 Credits
This course will introduce students to the fundamental knowledge and considerations in
conducting a research study. Students will be equipped with different types of research design
as well as the corresponding statistical analysis methods. Throughout the course, the
discussion of conceptual and methodological issues will be integrated with hands-on practice
of basic quantitative data analysis techniques. The course aims at preparing students to be
consumers, critics and producers of scientific knowledge to advance the field of psychology.

PSY 502 Research Methods and Statistics II
1 Term; 3 Credits
This course aims at advancing students’ knowledge and skills to complete independent
research. Concept, method, and research design are integrated with statistical techniques.
Students will learn to integrate their knowledge and skills to solve practical problems in the
research process. They will engage in advanced topics, including regression analysis,
mediation and moderation analysis, and factor analysis.

PSY 503 Lifespan Developmental Psychology
1 Term; 3 Credits
This course aims at providing students with an overview of developmental psychology
and helping them understand how individuals change using a lifespan approach. Different
theoretical perspectives and research methods used in the study of human development will
be introduced. In addition, students are encouraged to conduct field research related to
developmental psychology.

PSY 504 Personality and Individual Differences
1 Term; 3 Credits
This course offers students an introduction to the major psychological perspectives of
personality development. Students will learn different ways of understanding individual
differences and/or similarities based on empirical research and grounded theories on human
development, personality classifications, and a variety of innate and learned mechanisms
involved in the formation of traits and characters.

PSY 505 Social Psychology
1 Term; 3 Credits
This course introduces key social psychological theories and research relating to the
societal context, their relevance to daily life, and how to acquire social psychological knowledge
through scientific investigation. The course begins with a general introduction to social
psychology and its methodology, and then proceeds to specific topics such as social
perception, persuasion, conformity and prosocial behaviours. The course will focus on

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