PSYC3401: Emotion and Social Perception

• 60 credits from Level 2 Psychology Module

• None

• None

• 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

• 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

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• 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

Subject-specific Skills:

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

Key Skills:

• 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

• 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

If you have a question about Durham's modular degree programmes, please visit our FAQ webpages, Help page or our glossary of terms. If you have a question about modular programmes that is not covered by the FAQ, or a query about the on-line Undergraduate Module Handbook, please contact us.

Prospective Students: If you have a query about a specific module or degree programme, please Ask Us.

Current Students: Please contact your department.