PN4086
Theory of Mind in development, evolution and autism
2024-2025
15
7
SCQF level 10
2
Academic year(s): 2024-2025
SCOTCAT credits : 15
ECTS credits : 7
Level : SCQF level 10
Semester: 2
Availability restrictions: Available only to undergraduate students in the second year of the Honours Programme. Also available to postgraduate students on MSc in Evolutionary and Comparative Psychology: the Origins of Mind
Planned timetable:
This module addresses the nature and origins of the social-cognitive ability known as 'mentalising' or 'theory of mind', whose function is to compute and understand the mental states of others (and oneself) in social interaction. This ability is at the heart of complex human cognition, including communication, cooperation and competition, and one of the most complex adaptive achievements in evolution. We will discuss cutting edge interdisciplinary research on the nature of theory of mind analysing its emergence in primate evolution and infant development, and how it applies to autism.
Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass PN2002
Weekly contact: 2-hour seminars plus office hour.
As used by St Andrews: "2-hour Written Examination = 75%, Coursework = 25%"
Re-assessment: "2-hour Written Examination = 75%, Coursework = 25%, Re-assessment applies to failed components only"
Module coordinator: Dr J Gomez
Module teaching staff: Dr J-C Gomez
Module coordinator email jg5@st-andrews.ac.uk