
Module PPP-1007:
Learning to be Happy
Module Facts
Run by School of Psychology
10 Credits or 5 ECTS Credits
Semester 1
Organiser: Dr Rebecca Sharp
Overall aims and purpose
How do we learn and change our behavior over time? How do we understand behavior, observe and measure it? Why do some individuals learn to be more resilient in the face of life’s challenges than others? How can we learn to enhance our personal strengths, maximise our well-being, and improve our own quality of life – or that of others? The course will focus on aspects of learning and behavioural psychology including: antecedents and consequences, schedules of reinforcement, self-management, habits, gamification, and understanding why people engage in deviant behaviour.
Course content
This module introduces the field of behaviour analysis and considers the potential value of understanding the role of learning in happiness. Understanding and facilitating happiness and quality of life is the central objective of many areas of psychology and can be best achieved through an analysis of behavior. It is both a scientific exercise - understanding happiness and predicting the factors that influence happiness - and an applied exercise - enhancing subjective well-being and happiness in clinical and commercial settings - and the world at large. Behaviour analysis and behavior change can provide pointers of how to face the world in a positive manner and to avoid life's ills.
Assessment Criteria
excellent
Comprehensive and accurate coverage of the area. Clarity of argument and expression. Depth of insight into theorectical issues.
threshold
Adequate answer to the questions, largely based on lecture material. No real development of arguments.
good
Reasonably comprehensive coverage. Well organised and structured. Good understanding of the material.
Learning outcomes
-
Demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles and procedures of behaviour.
-
Demonstrate an understanding of how behavioural principles have been and can be applied to improve quality of life.
-
Describe behavioural methods of measurement and success.
-
Understand how the findings from research can be applied in a variety of real-world domains including clinical settings.
Assessment Methods
Type | Name | Description | Weight |
---|---|---|---|
Written assignment, including essay | Assignment | 50 | |
EXAM | Final Exam | 50 |
Teaching and Learning Strategy
Hours | ||
---|---|---|
Lecture | Two hour lecture each week. |
20 |
Private study | 70 | |
Tutorial | One hour tutorial each week, including interactive activities, question time with students, and discussion. |
10 |
Transferable skills
- Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
- Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
- Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
- 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.
- Caring - Showing concern for others; caring for children, people with disabilities and/or the elderly
- Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
- Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others
Subject specific skills
- Understand the scientific underpinnings of psychology as a discipline.
- 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.
- Carry out empirical studies by operationalizing research questions, generating hypotheses, collecting data using a variety of methods, analysing data using quantitative and/or qualitative methods, and present and evaluate research findings (under appropriate supervision).
- Comprehend and use psychological data effectively, demonstrating a systematic knowledge of the application and limitations of various research paradigms and techniques.
Resources
Talis Reading list
http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/ppp-1007.htmlReading list
The key text from which many readings will be taken is:
Miltenberger, R. G. (2007). Behaviour Modification: Principles and Procedures. (any edition). Wadsworth.
Courses including this module
Compulsory in courses:
- X320: BA Astudiaethau Plentyndod ac Ieuenctid a Seicoleg year 1 (BA/APIS)
- MC98: BA Criminology/Psychology year 1 (BA/CRP)
- X319: BA Childhood and Youth Studies and Psychology year 1 (BA/CYP)
- CQ83: BA English Language & Psychology year 1 (BA/ELPSY)
- R181: BA French with Psychology (with International Experience) year 1 (BA/FPIE)
- R1C8: BA French with Psychology year 1 (BA/FPSY)
- R2C8: BA German with Psychology year 1 (BA/GPSY)
- Q1C8: BA Linguistics and Psychology year 1 (BA/LP)
- CL83: BA Sociology/Psychology year 1 (BA/PS)
- CL84: BA Social Policy/Psychology year 1 (BA/SPP)
- CL85: BA Social Policy & Psychology with International Experience year 1 (BA/SPPIE)
- C880: BSC Psych with Cl & Hlth Psych year 1 (BSC/PHS)
- C88B: BSc Psychology w Clin & Health Psy (4yr with Incorp Found) year 1 (BSC/PHS1)
- 8X44: BSc Psychology with Clinical & Health Psychology (Int Exp) year 1 (BSC/PHSIE)
- C88P: BSc Psychology with Clinical & Health Psy with Placement Yr year 1 (BSC/PHSP)
- C804: BSc Psychology (with International Experience) year 1 (BSC/PIE)
- C800: BSC Psychology year 1 (BSC/PS)
- C81B: BSc Psychology (4 year with Incorporated Foundation) year 1 (BSC/PS1)
- C80F: BSc Psychology year 1 (BSC/PSF)
- C80P: BSc Psychology with Placement Year year 1 (BSC/PSP)
- C813: BSc Psychology with Forensic Psychology year 1 (BSC/PSYFP)
- C81P: BSc Psychology with Forensic Psychology with Placement Year year 1 (BSC/PSYFPP)
- C801: BSC Psychol w Neuropsychol year 1 (BSC/PSYN)
- C83B: BSc Psychology with Neuropsychology (4yr with Incorp Found) year 1 (BSC/PSYN1)
- C809: BSc Psychology with Neuropsy (with International Experience) year 1 (BSC/PSYNIE)
- C84P: BSc Psychology with Neuropsychology with Placement Year year 1 (BSC/PSYNP)
- M1C8: LLB Law with Psychology year 1 (LLB/LPSY)
- C808: MSci Psychology with Clinical & Health Psychology year 1 (MSCI/PHS)
- C810: MSci Psychology with International Experience year 1 (MSCI/PIE)
- C807: MSci Psychology year 1 (MSCI/PS)
Optional in courses:
- N5C8: BSc Marketing with Psychology year 1 (BSC/MP)
- C680: BSc Sport and Exercise Psychology year 1 (BSC/SEXP)