Social Neuroscience Research
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| PSGY3016 | Psychology | 3 | 20 | Full Year UK |
- Code
- PSGY3016
- School
- Psychology
- Level
- 3
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Full Year UK
Summary
This course focuses on the investigation of evidence supporting recently reported research as well as the planning of better future research and the dissemination of that research to a non-academic audience. It combines student-led investigations of cutting-edge, meaningful, psychological research relevant to cognitive, developmental or social neuroscience, through self-learning, with the creative application of research and psychological literacy skills. The course material will introduce examples of recent research and discuss the supporting evidence for that research and its subsequent reporting. Students will receive introductory lectures and workshops on relevant research and study skills as well as detailed guidance on assessment criteria.
Target Students
Available for students studying Practical Methods 2 OR Practical Methods in Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience. Available to all year 3 students.
Assessment
- 50% Coursework 1 Spring: One research proposal (2,700 words), one science article (500 words), one post (80 words)..
- 50% Moodle Remote Exam Autumn (3-hour): Moodle remote exam in Autumn
Assessed in both autumn & spring semest
Educational Aims
To provide students with an advanced understanding of current social and cognitive neuroscience topics, as well as an understanding of the methods and analyses required to test specific theories related to that topic, and guidance on the critical evaluation of research papers. Students will receive lectures on and study a specific social neuroscience issue in detail, and will devise ways to further research into that issue. The course will provide an introduction to neuroscience methods and will focus on current research and theory behind various aspects of human social interaction, speech communication and body perception from a neuroscience perspective. Complementary evidence from different branches of behavioural and cognitive sciences will be integrated with current neuroscientific research. The course will focus predominantly on the neural mechanisms thought to be involved in the interpretation of our own and others’ bodies, actions, faces, voices and emotions. The course will also provide advice on developing ideas for research as well as how to write for each assessment.Learning Outcomes
During this module, students will gain an in-depth understanding of current issues in social neuroscience and learn about the functions and interconnectivity of specific brain regions with regard to human body perception and social interaction. Students will see how specific brain regions influence, or are involved in specific behaviours (e.g., body representation, action perception, speech perception). Students will understand the powerful inferences that can be drawn from neuroscientific techniques, and will also appreciate the limitations of such techniques. The students will be able to evaluate how neuroscience can be integrated with other psychological disciplines. Students will be able to critically evaluate this exciting field of psychology. Students will be expected and encouraged to read primary source material and to generate original lines of investigation. They will learn to plan and discuss the implications of future cutting edge research.
Knowledge & understanding A4 (t, l, a) Have detailed knowledge of several specialised areas and/or applications, some of which are at the cutting edge of research in the discipline A5 (t, l. a) Demonstrate a systematic knowledge of a range of research paradigms, research methods, and measurement techniques, including statistical analysis, and be aware of their limitations.
Intellectual skills B1 (t, l, a) Reason scientifically, understand the role of evidence and make critical judgements about arguments in psychology B2 (t, l, a) Adopt multiple perspectives and systematically analyse the relationships between them. B3 (t, l, a) Detect meaningful patterns in behaviour and experience and evaluate their significance.
Transferable/key skills D5 (l) Undertake self-directed study and project management in order to meet desired objectives. D6 (l,) Take charge of their own learning, and reflect and evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses for the purposes of future learning.
They will be exposed to skills that encourage them to: Communicate effectively. Effective communication involves developing a cogent argument supported by relevant evidence and being sensitive to the needs and expectations of an audience.
Make critical judgements and evaluations. The need to take different perspectives on issues and problems, and to evaluate them in a critical and sceptical manner to arrive at supported conclusions, looking for similarities and general principles to increase the power of analysis.
Handle primary source material critically. Learning to evaluate the strength of argument and reliability of data as presented by other researchers. Problem-solve and reason scientifically. Identify and pose research questions, to consider alternative approaches to their solutions and to evaluate outcomes. Use effectively personal planning and project management skills. Becoming more independent and pragmatic as learners. Taking responsibility for one's own learning and skill development is increasingly expected throughout a psychology degree, where an emphasis on learning to learn is stressed. Retrieve and organise information effectively. Collecting and organising stored information found from library book and journal collections as well as from computer and internet sources. Engage in effective teamwork. Being able to appreciate the opinions of others while guiding the group towards sensible decision-making. Be computer literate. Learning to use search engines and common word-processing packages in an efficient and professional manner.