PSY4412 - Cognition and the Brain

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Illustrate their understanding of the important aspects of the taught module by assessing peers in an appropriate manner;
Critically evaluate biological and cognitive explanations of behaviour, appreciating the relative merits of complementary and conflicting viewpoints, and their relevance across cultures;
Appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of research methodologies underpinning Biological and Cognitive Psychology;
Consider basic quantitative research methodology and how it applies to the collection, analysis and dissemination of experimental data based on biological and/or cognitive theories..

Content:

This module encapsulates two core areas of Psychology that are often approached in experimental fashion. It will emphasise student-led activity and problem-based learning, while holding true to experimental roots. Students will also learn basic statistical techniques and apply them to collected data (group sessions). The following is indicative of module content.

(1) Biological Psychology: Students will gain grounding in the structure and function of the brain. In addition, the module will focus on how the brain encourages survival - focusing on key areas such as pain, fear, eating & drinking and sleeping. Although the same mechanisms exist throughout the world, students will consider physiology in a global context: for example, the frequency of narcolepsy in Japan; cultural differences in eating habits, etc. (2) Cognitive Psychology: Students will also gain a theoretical underpinning of the main theories within Cognitive Psychology - namely the concepts of attention, memory, and problem-solving.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The module delivery will utilise a combination of lecture-based teaching, small-group seminar sessions, video clips and supportive use of the VLE (e.g. podcasts, mock questions and recommended reading) to students as they develop as independent learners. It is assumed that students will not have studied any psychology previously, and that the time allocated for guided self-managed learning activities will allow students to use a variety of University resources, including book chapters, online resources and journal articles.

The module will be delivered on the basis of two sessions per week for ten weeks. 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 60 minutes per teaching session. As such, delivery within these sessions will vary considerably.

In accordance with the Learning and Teaching Strategy, weekly directed activities (assessed) will be utilised between lectures. The time allocated for guided self-managed learning activities will allow students to use University resources in support of these objectives.

Lectures, workshops, group discussions, and problem-solving activities
Contact hours: 30
Intended Group size: Cohort

Guided independent study
Hours: 170

Further details relating to assessment
Integrated Assessment: Students will be required to think about a problem/case study related to their programme subject area from a biopsychosocial perspective (drawing from the biological, cognitive and social elements of the core modules). Credits for this assessment will be taken from 3 modules - 30% of the module mark for PSY4992 Ethics, Society and Employability, 10% of the module mark from PSY4442 Psychology and Social Issues 1 and 10% of the module mark for PSY4412 Cognition and the Brain. This equates to 10 credits overall.

Assessment:

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Michelle Dalton
Level - 4
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 4S2

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