Module PSP-3004:
The Social Brain
Module Facts
Run by School of Human and Behavioural Sciences
20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits
Semester 1
Organiser: Prof Paul Downing
Overall aims and purpose
Humans spend much of their time in the company of other people, whose behaviour is complex, often unpredictable, and highly relevant to our own daily lives. Making sense of all of this places strong demands on the "social brain". We can think of the social brain as a system that continuously (and often unconsciously) seeks answers to questions: Is anyone there? Who is that? What are they looking at? What are they doing? What are they feeling? What are they thinking? How do I feel about them? Modern social-cognitive neuroscience has uncovered a great deal about the brain systems that ask and answer these questions. The module will cover important concepts and findings in this area. There is a particular emphasis on understanding the “typical” social brain - we do not focus on mental illnesses and psychiatric disorders.
Course content
We consider the social brain from the point of view of the kinds of "questions" that it must be asking about others around us. What are the brain processes that answer those questions? E.g.
- Is someone there? (person detection)
- Who is there? (person recognition)
- What are you looking at? (gaze perception)
- How are you feeling? (emotion perception)
- What are you doing? (action perception)
- What are you thinking? (mentalising)
- How do I feel about you? (trust)
- How will you react? (social prediction)
Assessment Criteria
threshold
Adequate answer to the question, largely based on lecture material. Limited elaboration of arguments.
good
Reasonably comprehensive coverage. Well organised and structured. Good understanding of the material.
excellent
Comprehensive and accurate coverage of the area clarity of argument and expression. Depth of insight into theoretical issues.
Learning outcomes
-
Have an understanding of major questions, theoretical perspectives, and debates in human social-cognitive neuroscience.
-
Understand some of the key evidence on how the brain supports social-cognitive processes in humans.
-
Be able to think and write critically about current research in human social-cognitive neuroscience.
Assessment Methods
| Type | Name | Description | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discussion Points 1 | 2.00 | ||
| COURSEWORK | Review of Journal Article | Described in detail in the module syllabus. |
20.00 |
| EXAM | Final Exam | Described with examples in the module syllabus. |
60.00 |
| Discussion Points 2 | 2.00 | ||
| Discussion Points 3 | 2.00 | ||
| Discussion Points 4 | 2.00 | ||
| Discussion Points 5 | 2.00 | ||
| Discussion Points 6 | 2.00 | ||
| Discussion Points 7 | 2.00 | ||
| Dicussion Points 8 | 2.00 | ||
| Discussion Points 9 | 2.00 | ||
| Discussion Points 10 | 2.00 |
Teaching and Learning Strategy
| Hours | ||
|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 24 | |
| Private study | 176 |
Transferable skills
- Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
- 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
Subject specific skills
- 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.
- Retrieve and organise information effectively.
- Handle primary source material critically.
- 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.
Resources
Resource implications for students
Students are encouraged to obtain a copy of "The student's guide to social neuroscience 2nd Ed" by Jamie Ward. It is also available in an e-version from the library.
Talis Reading list
http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/psp-3004.htmlReading list
"The student's guide to social neuroscience" by Jamie Ward, Psychology Press. 2nd Edition.
Courses including this module
Compulsory in courses:
- 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)
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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- C808: MSci Psychology with Clinical & Health Psychology year 3 (MSCI/PHS)
- C807: MSci Psychology year 3 (MSCI/PS)