Module Information
Module Identifier
PS30120
Module Title
BRAIN AND BEHAVIOUR
Academic Year
2008/2009
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Other Staff
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 18 x 1 hour lectures |
| Seminars / Tutorials | 4 x 2 hour seminars |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | course work: essay 2500 words | 40% |
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours written examination | 60% |
| Semester Assessment | course work: 2500 words essay | 40% |
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours written examination | 60% |
| Supplementary Assessment | 2 Hours Students may, subject to Faculty approval, have the opportunity to resit this module, normally during the supplementary examination period. | |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours written examination. Students may, subject to Faculty approval, have the opportunity to resit this module, normally during the supplementary examination period. | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Aims
Psychology seeks to understand and explain human behaviour from various perspectives; the structure and function of the brain and associated nervous and endocrine systems is central to any examination of human psychology. Knowledge of brain structure and function is necessary to appreciate complex phenomena such as mental illness, drug addiction and motivation. Reductionist biological approaches are complemented by different learning theories which examine how behaviours are acquired and maintained.
Brief description
The aim of this module is to explore the relationship between brain function and behaviour and the factors controlling the acquisition and expression of behaviour. The module covers the organization and structure of the brain and the association between learning and reward mechanisms. Both normal functioning and abnormal functioning are considered and the biological and learning components of a range of physical and mental health disorders such as depression, schizophrenia and drug addiction are examined.
Content
- Brain structure (gross and minute)
- Electrical and chemical processes control neuronal communication in the brain
- Role of frontal lobe structures and the limbic system in emotional expression
- Brain damage and behaviour
- Depression and underlying abnormalities in brain systems
- Drug treatment for depression
- Chronic stress and brain function
- Animal models of drug addiction
- Dopamine and schizophrenia
- Classical and instrumental conditioning
- Elements and conditions of learning
- Complex contingency control and stimulus control
- Rule governed behaviour.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Not directly applicable although students will be expected to understand the key concepts of statistical analysis through the examination of research designs. |
| 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 aims and objectives. They will learn to consider only that which is relevant to the topic, focusing on the objectives of their argument or discussion. Seminars will be run in groups where oral discussion and presentations will form the main medium of teaching and the emphasis throughout the module will be on student participation and communication. Fellow students will be encouraged to question their peers to critique their approach or to suggest areas for the development of the chosen topic; in turn each will discuss the contributions and ideas of the other. |
| 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. |
| 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, PsychoInfo and PsychLit). |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 and identification of appropriate research methods. •Demonstration of a familiarity with the techniques required for literature searches. •Appreciation of the complex interactions and diverse influences on human behaviour. |
| 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 |
Reading List
Should Be PurchasedCarlson, N.R. (2007) Physiology of Behaviour 9th edition Pearson International, Boston Primo search Recommended Text
Kolb, B. & whishaw, I.Q. (2008) Fundamentals of Human Neuropsychology Worth, New York, NY Primo search Martin, G. N. (2006) Human Neuropsychology 2nd edition Pearson Prentice Hall Primo search Richards, D. et al (2007) The Human Brain and its Disorders Oxford University Press, Milton Keynes Primo search Recommended Background
Corr, P. J. (2006) Understanding biological psychology Blackwell, Oxford Primo search Pinel, J.P.J. (2007) Basics of biopsychology Pearson International edition, New York Primo search Plomin, R., DeFries, J.C. Mc Clearn, G.E. & McGuffin, P. (2008) Behavioral genetics 2nd edition Worth, New York Primo search Rutter, M. (2007) Genes and Behaviour, nature-nurture interplay explained Blackwell, Oxford Primo search Wickens, A. (2005) Foundations of Biopsychology 2nd edition Prentice Hall, Essex Primo search
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6