PSY7055 - Hormones and Behaviour

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate knowledge and critical intepretation of both historical underpinnings and contemporary research in biological psychology.
Appreciate strengths and weaknesses of the various research methodologies utilised in the field of biological psychology.
Critically appraise biological explanations of behaviour, appreciating the relative merits of complementary and conflicting viewpoints, and their relevance across cultures.
Demonstrate and summarise a critical understanding of the real-world application of physiological and endocrinological research, and communicate this effectively to others.

Content:

Human behaviour is complex but, to a large degree, can be explained by the interactions between various psychological and physiological components. This module will take a behavioural and endocrinological angle, investigating the ways in which hormones can influence specific behaviours, including sexual determination and differentiation, neurological differentiation, parental behaviours, aggressive behaviours and cognition. Hormones and Behaviour will consider the historical breakthroughs in psychobiology that led to our current understanding, before considering the workings of the endocrine system and the hormones utilised. Hormones to be considered indvidually will include cortisol, oestrogen, oxytocin, progesterone and testosterone. The module will emphasise the contribution of human physiology in understanding human behaviour and will consider real world application and career pathways.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The module delivery will utilise a combination of lecture-based teaching, small-group student-led discussion, video clips and supportive use of the VLE (e.g. podcasts, mock questions and recommended reading). It is assumed that students will not have studied biological psychology previously, so students will be expected to prepare for the sessions by reading set texts, sourcing independent reading, etc.

The module will be delivered on the basis of two-hour ‘lecture’ slots, though these will incorporate planned group activities and discussions, small-group work, and class tests – traditional ‘chalk and talk’ time will be limited to a maximum of 40 minutes per 2-hour session. As such, while two 2-hour ‘lecture’ timetable slots will be required each week, delivery within these sessions will vary considerably.

Lectures
Hours: 20
Intended Group size: Cohort

Independent guided study
Hours: 130

Further details relating to assessment
The negotiated presentation will be planned by way of discussion with the module co-ordinator to ensure a viable and assessable presentation. These presentations will be filmed.

Assessment:

001 Class Test 35 minutes mid semester 2 20%
002 Negotiated Presentation 15 minutes end of semester 2 80%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Dr James Jackson
Level - 7
Credit Value - 15
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered -

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