PY3EM: Emotion and Motivation

Module code: PY3EM

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

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Julia Vogt, email: j.vogt@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Professor Carien Van Reekum, email: C.VanReekum@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE PY2SID (Compulsory)

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

This module will enhance your understanding of the science of emotion and motivation. In this module, we will cover historical perspectives and seminal studies, linking these to current theory and research in, for instance, emotional expression, emotion regulation, brain-body interaction, happiness and social emotions, motivation and goal pursuit, self-regulation such as self-control or behaviour change. The module will also cover research methods specific to emotion and motivation. As such, the module incorporates BPS core content in the following areas: conceptual and historical issues, social and biological psychology, individual differences, and research methods.  

In sum, the aim is to provide you with a broad overview on select topics in emotion and motivation science and cover prominent theory and research, past and present, in these areas. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Identify and evaluate the theoretical roots of current emotion and motivation research and identify and evaluate current debates in both research fields. 
2. Critically evaluate the methods employed in both fields and learn to motivate the choice of methods based on the research question at hand. 
3. Identify common themes and methods in emotion and motivation research and contrast differences in research methods. 
4. Communicate examples of motivation and emotion research and theoretical discussions to student and academic audiences 

Module content

Through interactive lectures and seminars, students will explore topics such as/the following topics: emotional expression, emotion embodiment and brain-body interaction, motivation and goal pursuit, self- and emotion regulation, research methods in emotion and motivation.As such, the module incorporates BPS core content in the following areas: conceptual and historical issues, social and biological psychology, individual differences, and research methods. the module incorporates BPS core content in the following areas: conceptual and historical issues, social and biological psychology, individual differences, and research methods.  

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This module uses a combination of interactive lectures and discussion heavy seminars. We will involve digital learning methods such as polling apps to digitally enhance the lectures and seminars. The seminars enable students to work in teams to explore and evaluate the material that has been taught, facilitated by the teaching team. Students are expected to prepare for each teaching session as appropriate by independent self-directed learning; this will be complemented by an online discussion board.  

This module is taught via ten two-hour lectures. 

Four of these lectures will be supplemented by a one-hour seminar with the goal of expanding upon the taught content. 

Material will be supported by recommended reading and self-scheduled digital activities such as watching screencasts or recommended videos. 

Study hours

At least 25 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.

For the poster, you will receive formative feedback from your peers during the poster conference.  

For the exam, you will practice and discuss sample questions during the lectures and seminars with feedback from the lecturers. 

Reassessment

Additional costs