PSYC41830: Advanced Topics in Behavioural Science

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• To understand a range of topics in the field of behavioural science and to aquire knowledge about the history, background and development of research within the field of behavioural science.
• The module will provide a forum for the critical examination of seminal theoretical models and empirical studies, along with methodologies and techniquies used for the study of behavioural science phenomena.

• This module examines a range of specific research topics in the field of behavioural science.
• The module begins with an introduction to behavioural science, before detailing its history and emergence as a discipline, before critically addressing a number of topic areas.
• Topics can vary from year to year but are likely to include principles of social cognition; behaviour in groups and teams; marketing and consumer behaviour; health, wellbeing and prosociality; risk, finance and behavioural decision making.
• Research methods and technologies used to study these topics will be discussed during the seminars.
• The module will also cover related conceptual and historical issues in psychology and behavioural science.
• The core psychological processes and methodologies discussed in this module intersect with, and can be drawn upon to understand, topics covered in all of the optional modules part of the MSc in Behavioural Science (hence a 30 credit module).

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• Detailed knowledge of a range of topics in behavioural science
• Detailed knowledge of the research methods and technologies used to study behavioural science phenomena

Subject-specific Skills:

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

Key Skills:

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

• Students' acquisition of detailed knowledge will be facilitated by weekly lectures and seminars in Michaelmas and Epiphany terms.
• In addition, in each term there will be two interactive workshops to provide students with opportunities to consolidate taught material.
• The seminars will inlcude small group work and student-led discussions, which will be aided by the use of audio-visual materials and comprehensive reading lists.
• These modes of teaching provide students with detailed knowledge of the key theories and skills needed to evaluate different theoretical positions in light of current evidence.
• The use of groupe discussions/small group work will ensure that students are exposed to a range of different theoretical positions, and encouraged to understand their inter-relations.
• Small group work during the seminars will aslo give sutdents the opportunity to interpret and evaluate the significance of empirical work.
• The summative assessment of this module is made up of two components: an essay and a two hour examination.
• The essay and the examination will assess students' detailed subject knowledge.
• The essay and the examination will assess students' acquired knowledge of theoretical principles and empirical studies in the field of behavioural science, as well as their ability to organise and synthesise them coherently and critlcally in written form in resonse to a set question.
• An assessment of the range, recency and appropriateness of sources will be included in the overall assessment of the essay and the examination.
• The essay and the examination will also assess students' written communication skills
• Formative assessment during the module will be provided to a 1,500 word essay that students' develop earlier during the module, so that feedback can be effectively impletmented in future work in this module, but also the option (15 credit) modules.

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