PS32035: Psychology of risk
[Page last updated: 22 April 2025]
Academic Year: | 2025/26 |
Owning Department/School: | Department of Psychology |
Credits: | 5 [equivalent to 10 CATS credits] |
Notional Study Hours: | 100 |
Level: | Honours (FHEQ level 6) |
Period: |
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Assessment Summary: | CWES 100% |
Assessment Detail: |
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Supplementary Assessment: |
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Requisites: | Before taking this module you must take PS22008 OR take PS20168 |
Learning Outcomes: |
By the end of this unit you will be able to:
Critically appreciate the historical development of the psychology of (health, safety and well-being) risk and the key contributions of the principal perspectives - cognitive, cultural and socio-cultural. Critically appreciate the interplay of cognitive and socio-cultural influences on how risk is perceived and reacted to, including the influence of context and social processes. Critically appreciate the points of contrast and agreement between the frequently competing perspectives - including their respective strengths and limitations, when applied to a range of real-world contexts, referenced to public health policy; risks to employees and issues of societal concern. |
Synopsis: | "Gain an overview of how individuals and groups perceive and react to risks to health, safety and wellbeing.
You will explore insights from cognitive, cultural and socio-cultural perspectives and their contribution to understanding individual and shared orientations to risk. What you learn will be presented in the context of contemporary challenges to individual, group and societal wellbeing." |
Content: | The following topics will be covered in this unit:
An appreciation of the principal paradigms and perspectives that contribute to contemporary insights into how individuals and groups perceive and react to risk.
Examples of how insights from risk research contribute to understanding high profile social issues.
Case studies will be used to illustrate and articulate key paradigms and perspectives, while highlighting limitations, gaps, inconsistencies and tensions between the (frequently) competing perspectives. |
Course availability: |
PS32035 is Optional on the following courses:Department of Psychology
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Notes:
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