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Module Specifications

Archived Version 2023 - 2024

Module Title
Module Code
School

Online Module Resources

NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
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.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture24No Description
Seminars4No Description
Independent Study97No Description
Total Workload: 125

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.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment% Examination Weight%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
Unavailable
Indicative Reading List

  • 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,
Other Resources

None
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