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PS30212: Genetic psychology

[Page last updated: 26 October 2023]

Academic Year: 2023/24
Owning Department/School: Department of Psychology
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Period:
Semester 2
Assessment Summary: ES 80%, OR 20%
Assessment Detail:
  • ORAL PRESENTATION (OR 20%)
  • ESSAY (ES 80%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: Before taking this module you must take PS20167
Learning Outcomes: In completing this unit students would be expected to:
* Critically evaluate different concepts of heritability, including those based on family, twin and population-based studies
* Gain a broad understanding of different genetic methods
* Critically evaluate the role of the media in communicating genetic research related to mental health.


Aims: The aims of this unit are to
* Gain a critical understanding of heritability of mental health traits
* Understand the strengths and limitations of genetic research in the field of psychology
* Apply the concept of gene-environment correlations and interactions to different mental health conditions
* Illustrate the role of epigenetics in mental healh.

Skills:
* Comprehensive and scholarly written communication
* Concise, time-bound and effective written communication for real world impact (press releases, policy briefing)
* Ability to select, summarise and synthesise written information from multiple sources
* Ability to develop rigorous arguments through precise use of concepts and models
* Ability to apply theory into practice
* Ability to select and use appropriate ideas to produce a coherent response to a pre-set question
* Ability to produce work to agreed specifications and deadlines
* Ability to use peer feedback as an assessment for learning
* Ability to work independently, without close supervision or guidance.

Content: The content of the unit
* A short introduction to DNA and basic biology
* Controversies around heritability
* Gene-environment correlations and interactions
* Strengths and limitations of genetic research as well as common pitfalls
* Behavioural and neuroimaging genetics 
* Epigenetics and controversies around transgenerational epigenetic inheritance.

Course availability:

PS30212 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Psychology
  • UHPS-AFB03 : BSc(Hons) Psychology (Year 3)
  • UHPS-AKB03 : BSc(Hons) Psychology with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UHPS-AKM03 : MSci(Hons) Psychology with Year long work placement (Year 4)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2023/24 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2024/25 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2023/24.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.