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Advanced Brain & Behaviour 1 - PSY00013I

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  • 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 Autumn Term 2022-23

Module aims

The aim of this module is to understand how the human brain mediates higher mental functions such as action. The module aim to explore what we can learn about normal psychological processes using different methods in cognitive neuroscience. The course will show how we can use neuroscience to better understand the biological basis of mental illnesses and brain damage.

Module learning outcomes

  • describe the neural mechanisms involved in making a motor act
  • provide an overview of principles underlying the control of motor action
  • understand of what is meant by executive control
  • understand strategies regarding human decision making
  • understand the consequences of damage to the parietal lobe
  • understand how genetic risk can interact with the environment to increase the risk of psychopathology
  • outline the biological and brain basis of PTSD
  • describe and explain different forms of acquired brain injury in children and adolescents

Module content

The first part of this course is concerned with the ability of humans to make individual movements, to control them, and to plan the complex sequences involved in actions. We will cover things such as:

  • Manual dexterity.
  • How we make executive decisions about which actions to take.
  • How we learn of motor skills.
  • The important links between motor function and cognition.

The second part of the course will cover how neuroscience is used to better understand the biological basis of mental illnesses and brain damage. It will cover topics such as the Clinical Neuroscience of Depression and PTSD and the impact of brain injury in development.

Indicative assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Advanced Brain & Behaviour 1		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Advanced Brain & Behaviour 1		 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.