Module: Comparative Evolutionary Psychology

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Comparative Evolutionary Psychology
Module Code	PSY1015 (ITS: PSYC112)
Faculty	Psychology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

To understand similarities and differences and the continuity of behaviour within and between species

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand, describe and explain the major theories, approaches and perspectives of comparative and evolutionary psychology to behaviour
2. Understand, describe and explain the approach of the new interdisciplinary approach of comparative evolutionary psychology to behaviour
3. Describe the principles of evolutionary theory
4. Understand and describe the evolution of central cognitive processes ins humans.
5. Describe how genes contribute to behaviour through evolution, and how early learning and social learning has influenced behaviour.
6. Understand and explain how reproductive and social behaviour has evolved in animals and humans.
7. Understand how culture has evolved and interacts with biological evolution.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Seminars	4	No Description
Independent Study	97	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20963	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Styliani Vlachou	Module Teacher	Grace Carroll

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Presentation	30%	n/a
Loop Quiz	Weekly Knowledge Quiz	40%	n/a
Report(s)	Companion Piece to the presentation	30%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Principles of Evolutionary Theory: Biological Evolution; Origin and Evolution of Animals; Evolution and Development

Social Evolution: Reproductive and Social Behaviour; Brain, Behaviour and Evolution of Homo Sapiens

Development of Behaviour: Genes and Behaviour; Early Learning and Behaviour; Early

Social Learning and Behaviour

Major theories of culture and evolution.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Mauricio R, Papini: 2008, omparative Psychology: Evolution and Development of Behavior, Psychology Press, Routledge, New York, USA, 978-184169460
Edward O. Wilson: 2005, From so simple a beginning: Darwin's four great books (Voyage of the Beagle; The Origin of Species; The decent of Man; The experience of emotion in Man and Animals), W.W. Norton & Co., New York, USA,
Richard Dawkins: 2006, The Selfish Gene, Open University Press, Berkshire, UK,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None