BSc Psychology / Course details

We will explore fundamental questions about emotion, such as: What are emotions? How are they measured? How many emotions are there? Are emotions innate or learned? Are they universal or culturally determined? How are emotions related to bodily sensations and expressions of the face, voice or body? What is the role of ‘thinking’ in ‘feeling’, and of ‘feeling’ in ‘thinking’? Does damage to the body or the brain alter the emotional experience?  What happens when emotional processing goes wrong?

We will link empirical findings to the main theoretical frameworks in the scientific study of emotion. Understanding these theories of emotion and the type of research studies that support them will allow us to examine these fundamental questions.

This is an optional Year 3 course unit on the BSc Hons Psychology that falls within the Mind and Brain theme.

Describe current theories of emotion and conceptualisations of what emotions are

• Evaluate the empirical basis for  theories of emotion
• Understand how we apply multidisciplinary methods to elicit and measure emotion, and to interpret empirical findings
• Apply understanding of theories of emotion and empirical research to answer current questions in Emotion science

• Independently and collaboratively gather and organise material from various sources, including library and electronic sources
• Present arguments coherently orally and in writing

• Teamwork
• Independent research
• Effective communication

Discussion board engagement worth 16%, reading group engagement worth 4%, Video presentation worth 30% and exam worth 50%.

Discussion Board Engagement - Students will receive credit for submission of summary.

Reading Group Engagement - Students will recieve grade.

Video presentation - Students will receive a grade and written feedback.

Exam - Students will receive a grade and written feedback provided after the Semester 1 exam board.