PY1PAB: The Person and the Brain

Module code: PY1PAB

Module provider: Psychology; School of Psych and Clin Lang Sci

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Juliane Honisch, email: j.j.honisch@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 23 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module aims to prepare students for in-depth study of multiple sub-fields of psychology in the advanced years of their degree, by building a broad foundation to understanding psychology as a multi-faceted scientific discipline. It also aims to introduce students who may have little formal background in psychology to fundamental concepts and theories. 

Modern psychological science is an inter-disciplinary endeavour. This module is designed to introduce students to the multiple perspectives that contribute to our understanding of human thought and behaviour. It introduces the key principles of organisation of systems from neurons and brain networks, to the individual, and to societal groups. For example, the module covers topics such as neural and hormonal function, genetic contributions to behaviour, personality, group dynamics. This module is delivered at University of Reading and University of Reading Malaysia. 

The Module Lead at the University of Reading Malaysia is Tan Kok Wei (t.kokwei@reading.edu.my).

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Demonstrate knowledge and critical awareness of the theories and methods in biological, personality and social psychology 
2. Appraise and evaluate the multiple factors that contribute to similarities and differences across individuals and groups 
3. Evaluate the real-world impact or potential application of research findings 

Module content

The module will cover themes such as the ones listed below, including both a historical and contemporary perspective to develop students’ understanding of psychology as a discipline: 

• Principles of neural function 
• Brain organisation 
• Hormones and genes 
• Traits and dispositions 
• Psychopathology 
• Personality and its measurements 
• Social influences 
• Group processes 
• Interpersonal relationships 
• Aggression 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

We adopt a research-led teaching approach with a mix of interactive large group lectures and hands-on seminars that will enable students to better understand concepts and research taught in lectures, and prepare them for their coursework. The seminar activities will provide continuous formative feedback opportunities via the lecturer and peer-evaluations. In addition, students will be given guided independent reading and in-class and/or online practice questions, to examine their learning. 

For students studying at our campus in Malaysia: This module may be taught in a different semester and the breakdown of study hours may differ to those set out in the Study Hours table (please refer to the Module Handbook for the correct breakdown). In addition, you will be required to complete an additional 40 hours of study, taking the total number of study hours to 240 for this module. This is to comply with the Malaysian Quality Agency (MQA).

Study hours

At least 38 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

This module includes a variety of formative assessment opportunities. For example, students will have the opportunity to examine their understanding either in-class or online by answering multiple-choice questions. Students will also be prompted with questions related to their lecture content, using the discussion board. In seminars, students will have the opportunity to practice writing sub-sections of a scientific essay, giving and receiving peer-evaluation, and receiving feedback from the lecturer.  

Reassessment

Additional costs