Department of Psychology, Unit Catalogue 2007/08 |
PS30015 Economic & environmental psychology |
| Credits: 6 |
| Level: Honours |
| Semester: 1 |
| Assessment: EX 100% |
| Requisites: |
| Before taking this unit you must take PS20009 and (take PS20107 or take PS20108 OR take PS20010) |
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Aims: To introduce students to the psychological organisation of social, political, economic and ethical beliefs.
Learning Outcomes: Be familiar with the theoretical models around the organisation of beliefs. Be aware of models of development and aetiology of beliefs. Understand how implicit models of psychological processes underpin commonsense conceptions of rationality and ethics. Be aware of the tensions between 'discourse' and 'ideology' models of explanation. Appreciate the problematic nature of links between beliefs and action. Skills: Understands the scientific underpinnings of psychology as a discipline, its historical origins, development and limitations. (T/F A) Can reason scientifically, understand the role of evidence and make critical judgements about arguments in psychology. (T/F A) Can communicate ideas and research findings both effectively and fluently by written and oral means. (T/F A) Content: Psychological models of ideology in the organisation of beliefs. Mainstream and emergent political-social beliefs - feminism, Green politics. Lay beliefs, e.g., about unemployment, poverty, ethics. Concepts of fairness and equity. Moral development. Elite beliefs - what constitutes 'legitimation'? Political propaganda and rhetoric. Social movements, social change and intergroup relations. |