| Unit name | Advanced Evolutionary Psychology |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PSYCM0046 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Professor. Penton-Voak |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
Students must not have taken PSYC30001 |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | School of Psychological Science |
| Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
The unit provides a framework for independent in-depth study of current research literature on evolutionary approaches to psychology. Evolution is a powerful but problematic theory in science, as evolutionary theory is considered by some to be untestable, and by others to have undesirable but unavoidable political and moral consequences, especially when applied to human social behaviour.
The aims of this unit are to consider theories in evolutionary biology of social behaviour (natural selection, sexual selection, kin selection, reciprocity and parental investment), the contemporary issues in the subject area and the role of empirical evidence in the formation of theory.
On successful completion of the unit, a student will be able to:
Lectures and seminars.
2-hour written exam (70%) and 2000-word essay (30%).
Essential
Barrett, L., Dunbar, R., & Lycett, J. (2001). Human evolutionary psychology. London: Macmillan Education UK.
Recommended
Ridley, M. (1993). The red queen. London: Viking.
Dawkins, R. (1976). The selfish gene. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Daly, M. & Wilson, M. (1983). Sex, evolution and behavior. (2nd ed.). Boston: PWS.
Further reading will be made available through Blackboard
