University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 15

ECTS credits : 7

Level : SCQF level 10

Semester: 1

Availability restrictions: Available only to undergraduate students in the second year of the Honours Programme. Also available to postgraduate students on MSc Evolutionary and Comparative Psychology: the Origins of Mind

Planned timetable: 11.00 am - 1.00 pm Fri

The last two decades have witnessed a surge of research on social and technical intelligence, both in humans and an increasingly wide range of non-human animal species. This module surveys the principal discoveries, integrating field and captive studies, as well as both observational and experimental methodologies, to trace the evolution and development of aspects of social intelligence such as imitation and theory of mind, and technical intelligence, such as tool use and understanding of causality. Key aims include appreciating the range of methodologies that have been developed and how these can be used to trace the evolution and ontogeny of the underlying psychological mechanisms.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass PS2001 and pass PS2002. Module prerequisites may be waived for students with entry into Honours Psychology

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 2-hour seminars plus office hour.

Scheduled learning hours: 20

Guided independent study hours: 130

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Take Home Written Examination = 75%, Coursework = 25%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 75%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 25%

Re-assessment: Take Home Written Examination = 75%, Coursework = 25%, Re-assessment applies to failed components only

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr R C May
Module teaching staff: Prof M Carpenter
Module coordinator email bobby.may@st-andrews.ac.uk