PC4061 - Mechanisms of the Mind (2024/25)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2024/25 | |||||||||||||||
| Module title | Mechanisms of the Mind | |||||||||||||||
| Module level | Certificate (04) | |||||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | |||||||||||||||
| School | School of Social Sciences and Professions | |||||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | |||||||||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2024/25(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
This module will allow you to develop your understanding of cognitive and neuroscientific approaches to understanding the nature of thinking, deductive and inductive reasoning, problem solving, and decision making. You will engage with classic and contemporary literature that investigates the apparently unique human ability to understand and interact with the physical and social world, recognise and overcome explicit and implicit biases inherent to our brain architecture, and use our understanding of cognitive and neuroscientific processes to strive for social justice. The knowledge developed in this module will facilitate your progression to level 5 and help to prepare you for further study in psychology and related disciplines.
Syllabus
Topics will be drawn from: memory; categorisation; deductive and inductive reasoning; problem solving; decision making; language; ethical application of research to everyday life and social systems.
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
The learning objectives will be achieved through a combination of lectures, interactive workshops, seminars, supplementary guided web-based learning, and self-managed independent study. Formative assessments and group work will provide opportunities for you to receive constructive tutor and peer feedback. You will be encouraged to reflect on your learning throughout the module and to take responsibility for identifying limitations in your knowledge and understanding.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:
1. Understand different approaches to studying the nature of thinking, deductive and inductive reasoning, problem solving, and decision making.
2. Appreciate the scientific basis of key assumptions, methodologies and ethical considerations in cognitive psychology and neuroscience as they pertain to studying the human mind.
3. Be able to ethically apply findings from research on the mechanisms of mind to everyday life and social systems.