Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Human and Social Studies - Psychology
Purpose and Rationale
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Purpose
The purpose of the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is to enable prospective mental health professionals and researchers in psychology to prepare for a career in psychological services and/or psychological knowledge generation. The qualification aims to develop learners' understanding of the basic principles of psychology, knowledge of community functioning, understanding mental health well-being, development of psychometric assessments, the procedures for diagnosing mental health disorders, knowledge of social and societal functioning, critical understanding of the principles of scientific research related to human behaviour, emotion, development, ageing, and cognition. Furthermore, the qualification emphasizes the development of counseling skills within the South African context.
The qualification further aims to make learners aware of the political history of psychology and how it has contributed to the power structures that legitimized inequalities in societies. Learners are encouraged to critically consider the shift from Psychology in Africa to African Psychology and to claim Psychology as an African endeavor.
Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to:
- Analyze current theories and research findings in the respective sub-disciplines in psychology.
- Apply relevant psychological principles that determine behavior across contexts.
- Identify the social processes, social problems, and specific problem-solving techniques.
- Understand the nature of ethical requirements and principles informing psychological studies and practice.
- Interact in contexts of interrelatedness sensitively and appropriately.
- Identify the risk factors and incidence of abnormal behavior and the status of mental health in own communities.
- Promote mental health in a creative and ethically responsible manner in own communities and various contexts.
- Demonstrate knowledge of current research approaches, models, and results in psychology.
The aim of the multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary teaching approach applied within this qualification is to develop well-rounded psychological professionals who are capable of drawing on multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary knowledge in studying human development and behavior and providing mental health services.
Rationale
The call for a higher education that is cognizant of its social, political, economic, and historical context has become stronger in recent years with vehement demands from learners across South Africa for an education that speaks to their lived realities. In its attempts to respond to that call, the Department of Psychology gears its focus toward training qualifications that take into account the social context in South Africa. Such a focus will not only produce qualifying learners who are better equipped to provide psychological services but also as researchers and scholars who will respond to the urgent task of contributing to indigenous and contextual, locally produced knowledge within the discipline of psychology.
The qualification is in line with the requirements of legislative frameworks such as the Mental Health Care Act 17 of 2002, which advocates for the right to adequate healthcare that focuses on the physical, mental, and social well-being of individuals. It is the opinion of the Department of Psychology that healthcare services are only adequate when they are rooted in their social context. The qualification is recognized by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
The rationale for this qualification also fulfills the mission of the institution to be a comprehensive, open learning and distance education institution that responds to the diverse needs of society continentally. The aim is to promote innovation and reinvigorate "graduateness" in shaping futures in the service of humanity through multiple entry and access points into program and qualification offerings.
Outcomes
- Analyse current theories and research findings in the respective sub-disciplines in psychology.
- Apply relevant psychological principles that determine behaviour across contexts.
- Identify the social processes, social problems, and specific problem-solving techniques.
- Understand the nature of ethical requirements and principles informing psychological studies and practice.
- Interact in contexts of interrelatedness in a sensitive and appropriate manner.
- Identify the risk factors and incidence of abnormal behaviour and the status of mental health in own communities.
- Promote mental health in a creative and ethically responsible manner in own communities and various contexts.
- Demonstrate knowledge of current research approaches, models, and results in psychology.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Articulation of understanding of the main foci and tenets of recent theory and research findings.
- Ability to consult a wide range of sources of information to gain a wider understanding and perspectives relevant to the sub disciplines of psychology.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Ability to situate relevant psychological principles within social contexts.
- Explaining and describing intrapsychic, interpersonal, developmental, social, community, and cultural contexts.
- Applying theoretical knowledge appropriately in relevant contexts.
- Applying conceptual and theoretical knowledge to real-life contexts.
- Locating relevant theoretical concepts within specific theoretical frameworks.
- Applying psychological theories to understand the influence of the information and technological age on human development.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Identifying social problems within different social contexts.
- Identifying ways to resolve problems considering various viewpoints and debates between theorists.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Identifying key ethical principles in psychology.
- Describing the application of ethical principles to therapeutic models and research practices.
- Defining the distinction between ethics and morals.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Engagement demonstrating sensitivity to culture and diversity.
- Engagement appropriate to given needs and context.
- Reflections showing awareness of self and others' effects in research, counselling, and introspective contexts.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Distinguishing criteria for identifying mental health disorders in multicultural contexts.
- Understanding mental health concepts and the interplay of cultural contexts and abnormal behavior manifestations.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Demonstrating knowledge of primary and tertiary prevention for abnormal behavior.
- Thinking critically, creatively, and contextually in promoting mental health and implementing prevention strategies.
- Identifying and referring individuals with abnormal behavior to relevant health centers and practitioners.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
- Defining key research concepts aligned with appropriate research design.
- Evaluating research approaches and results within psychology sub-disciplines.
- Defining and describing research designs within psychology.
- Understanding hypothesis testing procedures and research design principles in different contexts.
- Demonstrating a basic understanding of research design in psychology.
Qualification Details
- Type
- National First Degree
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 360
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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