Module: Psychology & Self-Control

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Psychology & Self-Control
Module Code	PSY1067 (ITS: PSYC512)
Faculty	Psychology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5

Description

The aim of this module is to provide an advanced overview of the main biopsychosocial models of healthy and unhealthy self-control, in terms of sensory, cognitive, behavioural and emotion regulation. Particular emphasis will be placed on the developmental trajectory of self-control and executive function, as well as consideration of the socio-economic consequences of dysfunctional self-control such as health and wellbeing. Students will also critically consider different explanatory levels and methodological approaches, at the forefront of the psychology of self-control, including neural, psychological and social correlates of healthy and unhealthy self-control.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically consider development trajectories of healthy and unhealthy self-control in terms of hot and cold cognitive processes
2. Critically identify key genotypes, endophenotypes and phenotypic expression of self-control processes.
3. Critically appraise factors influencing the development, and maintenance of self-control
4. Critically evaluate conceptual and methodological approaches used to re-train and/or enhance self-control
5. Critically consider the socio-economic consequences of dysfunctional self-control in terms of health and wellbeing.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	22	Asynchronous and synchronous (in person) format; Active listening and engagement with lecture material
Seminars	4	Synchronous Student-led journal club seminars.
Online activity	5	Loop Discussion Fora
Independent Study	94	Independent preparation for seminars; essay; intervention report and oral presentation.
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20982	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	Lorraine Boran	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Report(s)	Intervention Report	70%	n/a
Assignment	Video 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

Definitions and biopsychosocial theories of self-control; including emotion regulation

Self-control and control processes

Developmental trajectory of healthy and unhealthy self-control

Genetics of Self-Control

Cognitive and Brain Endophenotypes of Self-control

Dysfunctional Self-control

Self-control and handicapping cognitions and behaviour

Promoting Self-control: Resilience, Optimism and Mindset

Re-training and/or enhancing Self-control

Socio-economics of dysfunctional self-control

Indicative Reading List

Books:

CARVER, C. S., & SCHEIER, M. F.: 2001, ON THE SELF-REGULATION OF BEHAVIOR, CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS,
Carver, C.S. & Scheier, M.F.: 1988, Attention and Self-Regulation: A control theory approach to human behavior., Springer Verlag, New York,
De Ridder, L., Adriaanse, K.F.: 2017, Routledge International Handbook of Self Control in Health and Wellbeing, Taylor & Francis,
Gross, J.J.: 2013, Handbook of emotion regulation, 2nd, The Guilford Press, London, UK,
Jutta Heckhausen (Editor), Carol S. Dweck (Editor): 2009, Motivation and Self-Regulation across the Life Span, Cambridge University Press, UK,
Vohs, K.D., Baumeister, R.F.: 2016, Handbook of self-regulation: Research, theory and applications, 3rd, The Guilford Press, London, UK,
Anderson, J.R.: 2005, Cognitive psychology and its implications, Open University Press Maidenhead,
Baddeley, A.D.: 2007, Working memory, thought and action, Oxford University Press New York,
Carlson, N.R.: 2010, Physiology of behaviour, 10th Ed, Allyn & Bacon Boston, MA,
Conway, A.R.A., Jarrold, C., Kane, M.J., Miyake, A.& Towse, J.N. (Eds): 2007, Variation in working memory, Oxford University Press New York,
Eysenck, M., & Keane, M.: 2015, Cognitive psychology: A student's handbook, 7th Ed., Psychology Press Hove,
Kalat, J.W.: 2009, Biological psychology, Wadsworth Cengage Learning Belmont, CA,
Kolb, B. & Whishaw, I.Q.: 2008, Fundamentals of human neuropsychology, 6th Ed, Worth Publishers New York,
Pinel, J.P.: 2011, Biopsychology, 8th Ed.,, Pearson Education Boston, MA,
Smith, E., & Kosslyn, S.: 2006, Cognitive psychology: Mind and brain, Pearson London,
Quinlan, P. & Dyson, B.: 2008, Cognitive psychology, Psychology Press Harlow, UK,
Reisberg, D: 2001, Cognition: Exploring the science of the mind, 2nd Ed, Norton New York,
Styles, E.A.: 2006, The psychology of attention, 2nd Ed, Psychology Press Hove,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None