This course offers a practical and engaging exploration of key psychological concepts through hands-on activities such as a guided brain dissection (identifying key pieces of anatomy that underpin neurological functions), reaction time experiments, and eye-tracking techniques. Participants will also gain experience in analysing experimental data or promoting data literacy among learners with support from Public Health Scotland. Designed specifically for psychology teachers and college lecturers, the programme provides some biological and statistical context to the psychology syllabus whilst equipping attendees with practical classroom activities to enhance their teaching of psychology.
Course Dates: 22nd January 2026
Closing Date: 28th November 2025

Course Leader

Johnathan Doran
01383 626070

Accommodation

This is a one day course, no accommodation provided.   

Location

The course will be held at SSERC in Dunfermline. Our SSERC buildings are at 2 Pitreavie Court, Dunfermline, KY11 8UU. SSERC is a short (5-10 minutes) walk from Rosyth railway station and close to the end of the A823(M) spur off Junction 2 of the M90 motorway. Car journey times (approximately): Edinburgh – 30 min; Glasgow – 60 min; Aberdeen – 2.5 hours; Inverness – 3 hours.

Cost

£80

  • Demonstrate enhanced understanding of the concept of humans as social animals, drawing on contemporary psychological theories and evidence relevant to the Higher Psychology topic area Individual Behaviour.
  • Confidently support learners in understanding biological influences on behaviour, through first-hand engagement with anatomical and neuroscientific content, including a guided brain dissection.
  • Design, deliver, and interpret reaction time experiments that support learning in the Research and Individual Behaviour units, helping students explore variables affecting human performance and attention.
  • Apply appropriate methods of data analysis in psychology, including descriptive statistics and graphical presentation, in line with Higher Psychology assessment standards and ethical requirements.
  • Integrate eye-tracking techniques into classroom activities, providing learners with insights into cognitive processes such as attention, perception, and visual processing.
  • Reflect on the relevance of professional scientific practice in psychology education, strengthening the delivery of the Higher Psychology curriculum through experiential and inquiry-based learning.