Description
This module covers core BPS curriculum and examines the links between biology and psychology. It will introduce students to the physiology that underpins observable behaviour (genetics, CNS and the endocrine system), looking at processes that exert direct control over behavioural responses and those that play a modulatory role in human psychology. The module will also provide a framework of major topics examining current research in personality and individual differences based on its historical roots and questions in prevailing applied settings.
Aims
The aim of this module is to provide knowledge of how biology affects behaviour and to introduce the evolutionary mechanisms that shape our minds. It will also investigate how biology, experience and personality produce individuality in humans.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this module the student should be able to:
1. Critically discuss how personality differences can be conceptualised, studied, and integrated in real life based on the main concepts and theoretical positions in current personality psychology.
2. Critically evaluate theories and evidence that propose biological and psychological mechanisms seen in modern humans are a product of their evolutionary history.
3. Critically reflect upon differences between individuals during interactions and how they could be managed to achieve successful political, societal, work and environmental interventions.
4. Incorporate information gained through self-study into own knowledge- base to scaffold learning, both within biological psychology and individual differences and across psychological disciplines.
5. Provide explanations of how biological and evolutionary processes influence specific cognitive and behavioural responses.
Indicative Content
1 Biological control of behaviour
How the central nervous and endocrine systems interact to produce observable behaviours such as movement, ingestion, and reproduction.
2 Psychopharmacology
Looking at the physiological consequences of taking recreational and therapeutic drugs, and biological and psychological underpinnings of drug addiction.
3 Hormones, reproduction and emotion
Examining how hormones influence mate choice, mating behaviour and sexual orientation; the biological underpinnings of emotion, emotional valence and components of the emotional response.
4 Behavioural genetics, evolutionary and sociobiology
Influences of genetics and environment on human behaviour; an introduction to the evolutionary processes that impact human and non-human animal cognition and social interactions.
5 Methodologies
Neuropsychology and neuroimaging: Looking at the physiological and behavioural effects of brain degeneration and implications for everyday life; introducing methods used in investigation of neural correlates of cognition. Psychological testing and application: Psychometric testing, specific aspects in personality tests, reliability, validity, BPS guidance.
6 Introduction to personality and individual differences
Introduction into main theories in personality and individual differences; Trait vs. State; Personality vs. Situation.
7 Intelligence
Definitions of intelligence; psychometric approaches to intelligence and their implications for educational and social policy; cognitive basis of intelligence. Debates about generational, racial, and gender differences in IQ.
8 Biological Influences
Heritability in intelligence and personality, neurobiological theories of personality, evolutionary influences & comparative personality, mental illness and personality disorders.
9 Personality and culture
Further ideas and debates in personality and culture including national character, social attitudes, evolutionary approaches, cognitive and learning styles, individual differences in health and illness, social anxiety and shyness.
10 Individual differences in cognitive styles
Individual differences in how we think, perceive and remember information. Exploration of different learning style and theories of learning.
Teaching and Learning Work Loads
| Teaching and Learning Method | Hours |
| Lecture | 24 |
| Tutorial/Seminar | 12 |
| Practical Activity | 0 |
| Assessment | 40 |
| Independent | 124 |
| Total | 200 |
Guidance notes
SCQF Level - The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.
Credit Value – The total value of SCQF credits for the module. 20 credits are the equivalent of 10 ECTS credits. A full-time student should normally register for 60 SCQF credits per semester.
Disclaimer
We make every effort to ensure that the information on our website is accurate but it is possible that some changes may occur prior to the academic year of entry. The modules listed in this catalogue are offered subject to availability during academic year 2021/22 , and may be subject to change for future years.
