| CODE | PSY1626 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Evolutionary Psychology | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Psychology | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This unit provides an overview of contemporary research in evolutionary psychology. It starts with the historical development of the field as sociobiology and proceeds to more recent advances in cognitive theory and the role of genetics in social cognition. The study unit will review a number of psychological domains to which evolutionary psychology has contributed, such as theory of mind, attachment, psychopathology, social relations and culture. Key evolutionary principles, such as natural selection and sexual selection, are presented prior to former concerns to enable students to acquire an understanding of the implications of evolutionary psychology on the understanding and development of psychological theory. Study-unit Aims: This unit provides an overview of Evolutionary Theory and its application to the field of Psychology. The study-unit will address diverse subjects that have to do with human evolution such as mechanisms of evolutionary change, sexual selection, mate choice, cognitive and social development, social behaviour, language, emotions, and culture. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of this study-unit, the student will be able to acquire an understanding of how individual behaviour is influenced by phylogenetic processes that the human species has been subject to across time. Moreover, students will acquire an understanding of evolutionary principles such as genetic mutation and adaptation, sexual selection, and cultural influences on evolution. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to demonstrate a clear understanding of evolutionary theory and its application in the study of human behaviour. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Hampton, S. (2010). Essential Evolutionary Psychology. London: Sage. - Workman, L., & Reader, W. (2008). Evolutionary Psychology: An Introduction (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Seminar | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Deborah Francalanza |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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