Module Code:

PS922

Module Name:

Issues in Psychological Science

Module Credits (CATS):

15

Module Convener

Gordon Brown

Module Teachers

Gordon Brown, Alice Mason

Module Aims

This module, together with PS923 Methods and Analysis in Behavioural Science, will provide students on the MSc in Behavioural and Economic Science with the psychological background to enable them to understand and critically evaluate material on the additional modules offered by the Psychology Department. Through a combination of lectures, seminars, and laboratory-based sessions, the students will learn about both models and data in the relevant areas of psychology (see list of lecture topics). They will also learn basic MATLAB programming and model implementation.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Understand the history of, and different methodological approached within, psychology as relevant to Behavioural Science
• Identify key areas where approaches from behavioural science either have been, or potentially can be, applied to real-world problems
• Understand how MATLAB can be used to build simple cognitive models

Assessed by:

• Class tests
  
  
• Class tests
  
  
• Modelling assignment

Module Work Load

Module Length

10 weeks

Lectures

7 lectures of 2 hours each and 3 lectures of 1 hour each

Seminars

2 seminars of 1 hour each

Practical Classes

3 practical classes of 1 hour each

Attendance

Attendance at lectures, seminars, and practical classes is compulsory

Module Assessment

Assessed work:

Modelling assignment – involves modelling in MATLAB

Weighting:

67%

Exams:

Class Test 1 – multiple choice and short-answer questions

Class Test 2 – multiple choice and short-answer questions

Class Test 3 – multiple choice and short-answer questions

Weighting:

11%

11%

11%

Module Programme

Topics covered on the course will likely include:

· Economics and Happiness

· Subjective well-being

· Personality and individual differences

· Models of Context Effects

· Modelling with MATLAB

· Attention

· Memory

· Agent-Based Models

· Polarisation Income Inequality

Module Reading List

Ariely, D. (2009). Predictably irrational: The hidden forces that shape our decisions. Harper Collins.

Hertwig, R., & Ortmann, A. (2001). Experimental practices in economics: A methodological challenge for psychologists? Behavioural and Brain Sciences, 24, 383-451.

Wilkinson, R., & Pickett, K. (2009). The spirit level: Why more equal societies almost always do better. Allen Lane.

Rosenbaum, D. A., Vaughan, J., & Wyble, B. (2014). MATLAB for Behavioural Scientists. Hillsdale, NJ: LEA.

Additional journal articles will be required reading for each lecture and provided closer to the time.