PSYC124 Introduction to Psychology

Introduction to Psychology is a four-credit, year-long foundational course. It is a core module for students pursuing a B.Ed, B.Sc, or BA, and it is also open to anyone interested in learning the basics of psychology, even if they do not plan to earn a qualification at any Learning Institution.

This course explores how psychological theories and research can be applied to the roles of law enforcement officers and policymakers. No prior knowledge of psychology is required, as one of the main goals of PSYC 124 is to provide a general understanding of psychology and show how it can be practically applied to policing and law enforcement.

The course is divided into 12 units, covering topics such as the definition and nature of psychology, different approaches to studying psychology, specialities within the field, and its application to policing. Other areas include understanding a person’s perception, attributing causes to behaviour, judgment accuracy, deception, juvenile delinquency, behaviour modification, and human aggression. The course material includes practical examples from the local environment, making it relevant to both Zambian and international students.

To support your learning, the course includes self-assessment activities at the end of each section. These are designed to help you prepare for continuous assessment tests and assignments. You are encouraged to work on these activities, either in tutorial groups or individually during your study time.