Altruism and Helping Behaviour (C8014)
Altruism and Helping: the psychology of caring about and for others
Module C8014
Module details for 2012/13.
15 credits
FHEQ Level 6
Module Outline
This module seeks to foster understanding of humans' concern for the positive welfare of others. Within psychology, such concern is usually called "altruism". Key antecedents of altruism include sympathy and morality. Key consequences of altruism include helping and other prosocial behaviours, although altruism can also evoke aggression and violence. This module investigates the processes mediating altruism and its antecedents and consequences, as well as the conditions that moderate those relationships. All main sub-disciplines of psychology are extensively represented in the module, e.g., biological, cognitive, developmental, personality, and social psychology, as are contributions from other disciplines including anthropology, economics, geography, marketing, and sociology. The module pays special attention to critically examining how successfully psychological knowledge may be used to promote altruism.
Module learning outcomes
Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific underpinnings of the psychological study of altruism and helping behaviour.
Be able to reason scientifically and demonstrate the relationship between theory and evidence in relation to the study of altruism and helping behaviour.
Communicate ideas and research findings by written, oral, and visual means.
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Essay (3000 words) | Semester 1 Assessment Week 1 Thu 16:00 | 70.00% |
| Coursework | 30.00% | |
| Coursework components. Weighted as shown below. | ||
| Presentation | T1 Week 12 (40 minutes) | 100.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Semester | Seminar | 2 hours | 011111111110 |
| Autumn Semester | Lecture | 2 hours | 100000000001 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Dr Tom Farsides
Convenor, Assess convenor
/profiles/8682
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