Module PSYC3401: Emotion and Social Perception

Department: Psychology

PSYC3401: Emotion and Social Perception

Prerequisites

• • 60 credits from Level 2 Psychology Module

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To provide: In depth knowledge and understanding of the study of emotion and social perception from several different perspectives, such as cognitive, developmental, social, abnormal, and evolutionary psychology, and neuroscience
• A focused opportunity for students to integrate further their knowledge and understanding of these core areas of psychology

Content

• This module will provide the opportunity to learn about and critically engage with areas of particular and current interest in the study of emotion and social perception from a variety of perspectives, including cognitive, developmental, social, abnormal, and evolutionary psychology, and neuroscience
• The module will cover topics such as:
• theories of emotion
• disorders of emotion
• the pivotal role of faces in the expression and perception of emotion and other social information
• emotion and social perception from body posture and movement
• person perception and stereotypes
• emotional experience and empathy
• The module will also cover related conceptual and historical issues in psychology

Learning Outcomes

• Detailed knowledge and understanding of psychological research on emotion and social perception from several different perspectives, and an appreciation of how these different perspectives compare and contrast, with respect to concepts, theories, methods and evidence

• Ability to review critically and consolidate understanding of a coherent body of psychological knowledge and apply it appropriately

• Good written communication skills
• Good IT skills in word processing, data manipulation and data presentation
• Abilities to work independently in scholarship and research within broad guidelines

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• The module will be taught in weekly 2-hour sessions, involving lectures and discussion
• These modes of teaching will provide students with detailed knowledge of the key concepts, theories, methods and evidence in the study of emotion and social perception
• A summative essay will assess students' detailed subject knowledge
• The summative essay assesses students' acquired knowledge of theoretical principles and empirical studies and their ability to organise and synthesise them coherently and critically in written form in response to a set question
• The summative essay will also assess students' written communication skills
• Students' knowledge and understanding of the subject matter of the module as taught and from further reading, and their analytical skills, will be summatively assessed through a 2-hour written examination
• Both the summative essay and exam will also assess students' ability to produce clear and well-written scientific argument, including the critical assessment of theories in the light of evidence, and their appreciation of different approaches to the study of emotion and social perception

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

None

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University