PN4109 The Origins of Causal Thinking

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Only available to students in second year of honours or permission from Honours advisor. Can be available as a dip down for PGT students.

Planned timetable

Thursday 11-1pm

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof A M Seed

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Amanda Seed

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

In this course students will critically appraise psychological research on causal cognition and its evolution and development. There will be a focus on developing skills of critical evaluation of both empirical and theoretical research outputs. The course will be interdisciplinary, covering material from e.g. human cognitive research, computational modelling, developmental and comparative psychology.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST ( PASS PN2001 OR PASS PS2001 ) AND ( PASS PN2002 OR PASS PS2002 )

Assessment pattern

Written Exam = 90% Coursework = 10%

Re-assessment

Written Exam = 90% Coursework = 10%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1x 2hr lecture (X10 weeks)

Intended learning outcomes

  • By the end of the module students will be able to critically evaluate empirical and theoretical research in the area of causal cognition
  • By the end of the module students will have abstracted key principles for critical evaluation
  • By the end of the module students will demonstrate knowledge of key concepts concerning the evolution of mind
  • By the end of the module students will demonstrate knowledge of current thinking in the nature of causal cognition in humans
  • By the end of the module students will demonstrate knowledge of current thinking concerning the ability of children and non human animals to think about causality