Run by School of Human and Behavioural Sciences

20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 2

Organiser: Dr Mihela Erjavec

This module will be co-presented by Dr Mihela Erjavec and Dr Hans-Peter Kubis. It will introduce our students to several complementary approaches to the study of human eating behaviour, including physiology and pharmacology; neuroscience; behavioural, developmental, health, and clinical psychology; and applied behaviour change. It will examine the relevant theoretical perspectives and research, with frequent references to collaborative investigations conducted in the College of Human Sciences at Bangor University.

The module content will be updated annually to keep up with interesting research trends. The examples of lecture topics that the module might cover include development of taste preferences and determinants of food choices in childhood and adulthood; mechanisms of food reward; obesity and connected alterations in hedonic and physiological responses; pharmacological treatment and mechanisms; evidence-based interventions; and psychopathology and eating disorders. Workshops will present opportunities for discussion and guided scholarship development.

threshold

Adequate answer to the question, largely based on lecture material. No real development of arguments. Demonstrates familiarity with key concepts introduced in the module but without elaboration. Minor errors. Students who perform at this level would receive D-, D, or D+ grades.

excellent

Comprehensive and accurate coverage of the area with clarity of argument and expression. Depth of insight into theoretical issues. Evidence of wider reading and detailed knowledge of topics covered in the module. Students who perform at this level would receive A-, A, A+, or A* grades.

good

Comprehensive and accurate coverage. Well organised and structured. Good understanding of the material. Evidence of engagement and understanding of all concepts introduced in the module. Students who reach this level would receive B-, B, or B+ grades.

C- to C+

Reasonably comprehensive coverage. Good understanding of the material with small inaccuracies and omissions. Evidence of understanding of concepts introduced in the module. Students who reach this level would receive C-, C, or C+ grades.

1. Understand the major concepts and theoretical approaches to the study of eating behaviours, including biological, cognitive, and developmental perspectives.

2. Examine a variety of research methods used to investigate eating behaviour in humans in the context of their relevant theoretical perspectives, and evaluate their strengths and limitations.

3. Consider eating in its wider societal and cultural context; examine the origins and impact of some of the eating issues and disorders; and evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions designed to alleviate these problems.

4. Working independently, synthesise the literature to identify recent findings and methods used to investigate specific topics, and to consider their strengths and shortcomings.

5. Communicate recent research, considering its theoretical underpinnings, social context, and methodological issues, in a variety of ways appropriate for specialist or lay audiences.

Type	Name	Description	Weight
EXAM	Final Exam	Written answers to exam questions.	40.00
Written assignment, including essay	A focused paper critique (500 words)	Students shall provide a critical summary of a research paper, identifying key findings, strengths, and weaknesses. A choice of papers will be presented in Week 1.	20.00
ORAL	A research proposal class presentation (10 minutes + 5 min for questions)	Students shall identify key shortcomings of the study they critically summarised in Assignment 1, and propose an improved design grounded in relevant literature. They shall present and justify their design and answer questions in class. Presentation slides shall be submitted after Easter and oral presentations will take place in small groups over two weeks.	40.00

		Hours
Private study	Students should be able to decide for themselves which strategies best suit their own learning preferences. Only a suggestion is presented here. A breakdown of private study time for an individual student may look like this: • 1 hour of consultation with the lecturer (during drop-ins) • 10-15 hours to read the chosen research paper, scan the related literature, and prepare a focused written critique (taking into account tips received in class) • 20-30 hours to research, think, and prepare presentation (taking into account formative feedback and tips received in class) • 5-10 hours of reading per week to prepare for the lectures and discussions / master and revise each individual topic • 20 hours to prepare for the final exam • 2 hours for the final exam	162
Lecture	Lectures will present a number of complementary theoretical concepts and related empirical findings to the study of human eating behaviour. They will be delivered by two lecturers speaking to their research strengths and expertise. Powerpoint slides will be made available to students ahead of the lectures. All sessions will be recorded.	20
Practical classes and workshops	Workshops and seminars will complement the lectures. They will contain group discussions, demonstrations, assignment guidance, and presentations. All sessions will be recorded.	18

• Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
• Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
• Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
• Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
• Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
• Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
• Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
• Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
• Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting

• Understand the scientific underpinnings of psychology as a discipline.
• Apply multiple perspectives to psychological issues and integrate ideas and findings across the multiple perspectives in psychology.
• Communicate psychological concepts effectively in written form.
• Be computer literate for the purpose of processing and disseminating psychological data and information.
• Retrieve and organise information effectively.
• Handle primary source material critically.
• Be sensitive and react appropriately to contextual and interpersonal psychological factors.
• Use effectively personal planning and project management skills.
• Work effectively under pressure (time pressure, limited resources, etc) as independent and pragmatic learners.
• Problem-solve by clarifying questions, considering alternative solutions, making critical judgements, and evaluating outcomes.
• Reason scientifically and demonstrate the relationship between theory and evidence.
• Understand and investigate the role of brain function in all human behaviour and experience.
• Comprehend and use psychological data effectively, demonstrating a systematic knowledge of the application and limitations of various research paradigms and techniques.
• Employ evidence-based reasoning and examine practical, theoretical and ethical issues associated with the use of different methodologies, paradigms and methods of analysis in psychology.
• Be aware of ethical principles and approval procedures.

Resource implications for students

Students are not required to purchase anything. Internet connectivity is assumed as in all other modules.

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/ppp-3015.html

Reading list

Required (core) reading will be made available through the module reading list.

Compulsory in courses:

• C880: BSC Psych with Cl & Hlth Psych year 3 (BSC/PHS)
• C88B: BSc Psychology w Clin & Health Psy (4yr with Incorp Found) year 3 (BSC/PHS1)
• 8X44: BSc Psychology with Clinical & Health Psychology (Int Exp) year 4 (BSC/PHSIE)
• C88P: BSc Psychology with Clinical & Health Psy with Placement Yr year 4 (BSC/PHSP)
• C808: MSci Psychology with Clinical & Health Psychology year 3 (MSCI/PHS)

Optional in courses:

• X320: BA Astudiaethau Plentyndod ac Ieuenctid a Seicoleg year 3 (BA/APIS)
• LC31: BA Criminology & Crim Justice & Psychology (with Int Exp) year 4 (BA/CCJPIE)
• MC98: BA Criminology/Psychology year 3 (BA/CRP)
• X319: BA Childhood and Youth Studies and Psychology year 3 (BA/CYP)
• CQ83: BA English Language & Psychology year 3 (BA/ELPSY)
• R181: BA French with Psychology (with International Experience) year 4 (BA/FPIE)
• R1C8: BA French with Psychology year 4 (BA/FPSY)
• R2C8: BA German with Psychology year 3 (BA/GPSY)
• Q1C8: BA Linguistics and Psychology year 3 (BA/LP)
• CL83: BA Sociology/Psychology year 3 (BA/PS)
• CL84: BA Social Policy/Psychology year 3 (BA/SPP)
• C80B: BSc Psychology (Bangor Uni Intl Coll) year 3 (BSC/BICPS)
• N5C8: BSc Marketing with Psychology year 3 (BSC/MP)
• C804: BSc Psychology (with International Experience) year 4 (BSC/PIE)
• C800: BSC Psychology year 3 (BSC/PS)
• C81B: BSc Psychology (4 year with Incorporated Foundation) year 3 (BSC/PS1)
• C80F: BSc Psychology year 3 (BSC/PSF)
• C80P: BSc Psychology with Placement Year year 4 (BSC/PSP)
• C813: BSc Psychology with Forensic Psychology year 3 (BSC/PSYFP)
• C84B: BSc Psychology with Forensic Psych (4 yr with Incorp Foundn) year 4 (BSC/PSYFP1)
• C81P: BSc Psychology with Forensic Psychology with Placement Year year 4 (BSC/PSYFPP)
• C801: BSC Psychol w Neuropsychol year 3 (BSC/PSYN)
• C83B: BSc Psychology with Neuropsychology (4yr with Incorp Found) year 3 (BSC/PSYN1)
• C809: BSc Psychology with Neuropsy (with International Experience) year 4 (BSC/PSYNIE)
• C84P: BSc Psychology with Neuropsychology with Placement Year year 4 (BSC/PSYNP)
• C681: BSc Sport & Exercise Psychology w International Experience year 3 (BSC/SEPIE)
• C680: BSc Sport and Exercise Psychology year 3 (BSC/SEXP)
• M1C8: LLB Law with Psychology year 3 (LLB/LPSY)
• C807: MSci Psychology year 3 (MSCI/PS)