Psychology An Introduction: Understanding Yourself and Others

“Perfect for all academic levels. No pressure environment. Right level of challenge.”– Emma Aughton, learner, March 2025

Please note that, in view of Keith Rice’s retirement in July 2026, this is the last time this course will be run for Rossett Adult Learning.

This course aims to

Introduce Learners to a number of areas in Psychology, including: -

· the concept of ‘self’

· beliefs, values, motivation and morality

· gender differences and their impact on male-female relationships

· how children develop psychologically and the critical importance of attachments

It is for

Anyone interested in finding more out about themselves and others and/or those considering academic study in Psychology and the behavioural sciences

For the first session students will need

· An open and curious mind

· Willingness to participate in activities and exercises

Additionally, it would be helpful if Learners brought along a low level ‘people issue’ that they can hang their learning on – eg: Why does my boss ask for that? Why does my teenage child do this?

Additional Costs

· Learners should bring along a folder/binder they can keep their handouts in

· Learners should bring along a notepad they can make additional notes on

By the end of the course Learners should be able to

· Apply psychological concepts and understanding to benefit themselves and their relationships

· Understand enough about Psychology as an academic discipline to assess whether they wish to study it further

The course will cover

Week1

· What Psychology is, what it is not and how it can be applied to ‘real life’

· The nature of beliefs, how they change and how they can be manipulated

Week2

· A psychological understanding of ‘self’

· How ‘self’ develops – the impact of parents, teachers, friends & relations and experience

Week3

· Identity – who am I and how many identities do I have?

· Motivation – the importance of values and context in changing motivations

Week4

· Temperament – what is it and can it be measured?

· How temperament is reflected in body language

· Can temperament change through learning and conditioning?

Week5

· The relationships between temperament and motivation – how they can work together and how they can bring you to disaster

Week6

· The formation of beliefs – how motivation and experience shape patterns of belief formation

· How beliefs build up into governing ‘frames of reference’ which shape our approach to life

Week7

· Gender – how different are men and women really from a biological point of view?

· How we socially construct gender

Week8

· Children and the importance of attachments

· How early attachments can influence the way you develop throughout your entire life

Week9

· How children’s morals develop

· Morality and motivation – the connection

Week10

· Bringing it altogether – summarising learning from the course and giving it a structure

· Ideas for exploring Psychology further

Note #1: As the course builds understanding cumulatively, learners should attempt to attend all sessions and catch up if they should miss one.

Note #2: ‘Homeplay’ mini-tasks will be given on some sessions to apply and consolidate the learning.

“It was a really interesting and, at times, challenging course, but always enjoyable, lively and educational. Excellently delivered and facilitated by you, and that’s why I’ll be back for the next one.” – Michael Thorne, learner, March 2025

To view other comments from previous participants in Keith’s training sessions, go to http://www.integratedsociopsychology.net/services/training/course-quotes/