What is humanly possible in today’s world full of technology?

High-tech innovations are the order of the day and affect every part of our society and personal life. Yet for many people it is a real challenge to learn to acquire these new technologies and to make use of all the possibilities they offer. This raises interesting questions about the psychological learning process people go through and how to improve it.

Course content

(Positive) Psychology and Technology are, off course, important pillars within this minor. 

What can you expect from the theme Psychology in the minor?

• You will learn basic knowledge from the field of positive psychology (course Positive Psychology).
• You will learn ways to stimulate positive behavioural change through technology (course Persuasive technology).
• You will learn to map the needs and wishes of people (course Human Centered Design).
• You will learn about how humans process information and how this information processing manifests in human behavior. We will then explore how to apply this knowledge in the design of technology (course Human Factors).
• You will learn Solution-focused coaching techniques (course Positive Psychology: communication).

What can you expect from the theme Technology in the minor?

During the minor, we will explore ways to develop user-friendly technology that fits stakeholders’ wishes and needs and can lead to positive behavioral changes, often relying on knowledge from (positive) psychology.

During the programme you will acquire knowledge through a series of (guest) lectures, practical assignments, literature, discussion and projects on designing technology.

Target group

The minor is suitable for both part-time and full-time students who have passed their first year. Proficiency in English is preferably at level C1 as described by the CEFR, but at least at level B2. 

This minor is not accessible to students who enrolled in the Applied Psychology program from the year 2016-2017, who have taken or will take the "Gedrag en Technologie" specialisation.

This minor is only offered part-time with sufficient students.

Assessment methods

The various course components will be assessed in different way: assignments, reports and tests.

Relevant literature

The bibliography can be found at studystore.nl/en at the start of the minor.

Course structure

The minor consists of the following courses:

• Positive Psychology
  During this course, you will get acquainted with the most important insights from Positive Psychology. Positive Psychology is the scientific study of human powers and virtues, the pleasant and meaningful life, flourishing and optimal functioning and what makes life worth living.
• Human-Centered Design: Inspiration
  During this course, you will delve into a socially relevant theme from the principles of Human-Centered Design. You learn to map all important requirements for the technological solution to the problem in a systematic manner so that the design is user-friendly and of added value for the end-user and other important stakeholders.  
• Human Factors
  Human Factors are about the application of psychological knowledge to design the environment, or technological solution, to match humane possibilities and impossibilities. For example, you will learn how the brain processes sensory information and how we can apply this knowledge to design a technological solution that best fits with our cognitive functioning.   
• Positive Psychology: intervention and communication
  The knowledge learned in the above courses will be applied in a solution-oriented coaching trajectory. In the communication part, you will learn solution-oriented coaching skills in order to coach a client, for example, in optimal functioning. A concept for a serious game will be created that can be of use during this coaching trajectory.  
• Applied Human-Centered Design
  All requirements identified in the course Human-Centered Design: Inspiration will be used as ingredients to design a prototype of the technological solution. You will learn to apply an iterative and systematic manner of the design process in which the stakeholders are closely involved. 
• Persuasive Technology
  During this course, you will get acquainted with theory on how to motivate and stimulate positive behavior change via technology.  
• Guest lectures by professionals in the field of psychology & technology
• Research project

You'll prepare and join classes, both theoretical and practical. Furthermore, you'll make assignments outside of classes (independent study time) in groups as well as individually. We expect students to be curious, interested, pro-active and goal-oriented.

Assessment methods

The various course components will be assessed in different way: assignments, reports and tests.

Relevant literature
The bibliography can be found at studystore.nl/en at the start of the minor.

Application for non-Saxion students

• Before registration through Kies op Maat, please contact saxion-minoren.ama@saxion.nl and ask if there are any remaining open spots.
• Make sure your learning agreement has been delivered to Saxion before the application deadline.

How do I apply?
The application process regarding the Kies op Maat minor at Saxion is a bit different than described at www.kiesopmaat.nl

How does it work?
Step 1: Download the learning agreement from the Kies op Maat website and let it sign by a member of the exam commission at your own educational institution ánd sign the document yourself.
Step 2: go to https://sis.saxion.nl/account# and fill in your personal data
Step 3: you will receive an automatic generated email from IAM including your username and password
Step 4: go the https://sis.saxion.nl, log on with your username and password which you have received from IAM and apply!
Step 5: After this we can process your application for a Kies op Maat minor at Saxion

Please note : in 'Upload documents' you are requested to upload some documents. The following documents we need:

• A copy of your valid passport or ID-card. No driving license!
• A copy of your propaedeutic diploma or a printout from the DUO diploma register. In case you do not have the propaedeutic diploma yet, we would like to receive an official statement from your educational institution in which they state that you will receive the propaedeutic diploma before the start of the minor.
• Learning agreement, page 1, 2 and 3 (signed by a member of the exam commission of your own education institution and student)
• Original Proof of Payment for the study year 2025-2026. You can request this proof from your educational institution, also if you pay in instalments. Your educational institution will email the Proof of Payment to Saxion.
  Deadline for handing in the original Proof of Payment is 2 weeks before the start of the minor.

If you have further questions, please let us know. You can contact Saxion Student Registration, telephone number: 088 – 019 3000.