PS10220 - PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOBIOLOGY AND COGNITION

Module Identifier

PS10220

Module Title

PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOBIOLOGY AND COGNITION

Academic Year

2007/2008

Co-ordinator

Mr Gareth Hall

Semester

Semester 2

Other staff

Mrs Rachel Rahman, Dr Kathryn Bullen, Mr Gareth Hall

Course delivery

Lecture

(18 x 1 hour)

Seminars / Tutorials

(4 x 2 hours)

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment Length/Details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	Essay Outline (500-750 words)	10%
Semester Assessment	Essay (2000 words)	30%
Semester Exam	2 Hours Exam	60%
Supplementary Exam	Students may, subject to Faculty approval, have the opportunity to resit this module, normally during the supplementary examination period.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the structure of the brain, nervous systems, eye and ear.

2. Identify the function of neurotransmitters in brain function.

3. Outline the central concepts in perception, attention and memory processes.

4. Examine and evaluate the application of basic psychobiological concepts to a range of applied areas of psychology.

5. Critically assess the contribution of different psychological theories to the understanding of motivational systems in human behaviour.

6. Evaluate competing theories of sleep and reasons why sleep is necessary for human functioning.

7. Demonstrate an understanding of the classification, diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders.

Aims

This module provides an introduction to psychology for the non-specialist and assumes no prior knowledge of psychology. The module introduces students to the basic principles of psychobiology and outlines the key concepts of cognitive psychology. The module both stands alone as an introduction to the subject and provides students with a knowledge base for future study.

Brief description

The module examines the emergence of psychology as a discipline from its roots in philosophy and biology. The development of the subject is charted against the wider demands of social, political and cultural change. The biological underpinnings of psychology are introduced including both the minute and gross anatomy of the brain and central, peripheral and autonomic nervous systems. Students will also become familiar with the structure of the eye and the ear as the key organs of perception. In cognitive psychology students will cover three aspects; perception, attention and memory. Basic theory leads into application and the ways in which psychobiology explains drug addiction; motivation to eat and drink; how emotions are organized and processed in the brain; the mechanisms of sleep.

Content

Introduction to psychobiology/cognition.

The contribution of reductionism to understanding psychology.
Brain structure and function.
Organs of perception.
Perception.
Attention.
Memory.
Motivational systems in eating, drinking and drug addiction.
Biological basis of emotion and anxiety.
Mechanisms of sleep.
Introduction to psychopathology.

Module Skills

Problem solving	Independent project work and problem solving will be one of the central goals of the module; the submission of an essay will require that the student develops independent research skills as well as problem solving skills. The need to research and prepare seminar presentations will also enable the student to develop independent project skills. The ability of students to solve problems will be developed and assessed by asking them to: adopt differing points of view; organize data and estimate an answer to the problem; consider case studies; reason logically; apply theoretical models; consider similar cases; look for patterns; divide issues into smaller problems. A final examination will ensure that an assessment of the student¿s ability to work alone can be undertaken.
Research skills	The submission of an essay will reflect the independent research skills of the student. The need to locate appropriate research resources and write up the results will also facilitate research skills. Research preparation for a seminar presentation will also enable the student to develop independent project skills. A final examination will ensure that an assessment of the student¿s ability to work alone can be undertaken
Communication	Students will learn how to present their ideas both verbally and in writing and how to assert themselves to advantage. They will understand the importance of information and clear communication and how to exploit these. They will know how to use the many sources of information available and how to use the most appropriate form of communication to the best advantage. They will learn to be clear and direct in their and to be direct about aims and objectives.
Improving own Learning and Performance	The module aims to promote self-management but within a context of assistance from both the facilitator and the fellow students alike. Students will be expected to improve their own learning and performance by undertaking their own research and to exercise their own initiative, including searching for sources, compiling reading lists, and deciding (under guidance) the direction of their essay and presentation topics. The need to conduct a seminar presentation and to meet an essay deadline will focus students¿ attention on the need to manage their time and opportunity resources well.
Team work	Seminars will consist in part of small-group discussion where students will be obliged to discuss as a group the core issues related to seminar topics. Such class room debates and discussions are a vital component of the module
Information Technology	Students will be expected to submit their work in word-processed format. Also, students will be encouraged to search for sources of information on the web, as well as seeking sources through electronic information sources (such as Web of Science and PsychLit, PsychInfo).
Application of Number	Not directly applicable although students will be introduced to the key concepts of statistical analysis through the examination of research designs.
Personal Development and Career planning	The discussions in particular will help to develop students¿ verbal and presentation skills. Learning about the process of planning an essay and a presentation, framing the parameters of the projects, honing and developing the projects and seeing through to completion will contribute towards their portfolio of transferable skills
Subject Specific Skills	Students will have the opportunity to develop a wide range of subject specific skills that will help them to understand, conceptualise and evaluate examples and research publications presented on the module. These subject specific skills include: * Assessment of scientific methods in psychology. * Differentiation between quantitative and qualitative methods of inquiry. * Demonstration of a familiarity with the techniques required for literature searches. * Appreciation of the nature of ethical research in the social sciences.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4