Accessibility statement

Advanced Brain & Behaviour 2 - PSY00012I

« Back to module search

  • Department: Psychology
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Tom Hartley
  • Credit value: 10 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2022-23

Module aims

The aim of this module is to provide students with an understanding how the human brain mediates a key mental function; memory. The course will explore what we can learn about normal psychological processes in memory using different methods in cognitive neuroscience. The module will then introduce students to the concept of interoception and examine its role in the sense of self, emotion and clinical disorders, and the neural anatomical pathways involved.

Module learning outcomes

  • Describe the common causes and types of amnesia.
  • Describe neuroanatomical structures that are critical for memory.
  • Understand the role and structure of the hippocampus.
  • Understand the brain structure responsible for control of memory
  • Understand how the brain interprets signals from within the body about its physiological states
  • Understand the role of interoception in the sense of self, emotion and clinical disorders

Module content

The course will begin with will begin with an overview of the brain systems that support memory, focussing on the hippocampus (a structure within the medial temporal lobe) which is crucial for remembering events that have happened. We will look at the consequences of damage to the hippocampus (amnesia) and the cellular mechanisms underlying learning and memory. We will review evidence showing that not all aspects of memory are affected by amnesia, suggesting "fractionation" of the human memory system. In later lectures, we will consider how information is stored in a different form within the neocortex, and discuss the contribution of frontal and parietal systems to memory. The second half of the module will focus on examining the role of interoception in the sense of self, emotion and clinical disorders, and the neural anatomical pathways involved. It will cover how we use signals originating from within the body (interoceptive signals) to let us know about the physiological state of the body, such as when we are hungry, thirsty or cold as well as emotions such as fear and disgust. We will also examine recent research suggests that interoceptive signals can play a pivotal role in more complex social and emotional behaviours.

Indicative assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Advanced Brain & Behaviour 2		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Advanced Brain & Behaviour 2		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Marks will be released via e:vision.

Indicative reading

Purves, Dale. (2013). Principles of cognitive neuroscience. Sinauer Associates. Second Edition.

Ward, Jamie (2010). The student's guide to cognitive neuroscience. Hove : Psychology Press


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.