ÃûæÂÖ±²¥

Module details for 2012/13.

15 credits

FHEQ Level 6

Module Outline

Joint attention is a co-orientation on a common focus. In humans, in Western cultures, the ability to follow and direct another's attention develops near the end of the first year of life, with increasing specificity developing well into the second year. Although almost all human developmental researchers agree on the empirical facts of typical development, there is intense theoretical debate over the cognitive bases of this developmental profile. Joint attention has been characterized, at one extreme, as the manifestation of mammalian learning processes in human caregiving environments, and at the other extreme, as evidence for a human species-specific cognitive adaptation for definite reference. Thus, joint attention is a socio-cognitive skill that sits at the intersection of theoretical accounts of language acquisition, semiotics, the neurobiology of communication, the philosophy of mind, and the evolution of language. This module will comprise an intensive look at how humans and our nearest living relatives, the great apes, discriminate visual attention in others and manipulate the visual attention of others through manual gestures. Among the questions we will consider are: Is joint attention a necessary pre-requisite for language acquisition? Does pointing develop out of failed reaching gestures? Do apes point and so what if they do? Does joint attention facilitate the acquisition of words? Does joint attention by babies index an early theory of mind? Why is joint attention so critical in the clinical description of children with autism? How do people point in other cultures (hint: not everybody points with their index fingers)? How does pointing illuminate or befuddle ongoing spoken discourse? Students will critically evaluate contemporary research in the fields of developmental psychology, comparative psychology, ethology, and developmental clinical psychopathology, reporting their evaluations via oral presentations, culminating in a final essay.

Module learning outcomes

Critically evaluate contemporary research articles, including identification of weaknesses and strengths in experimental approach and the validity of arguments from data to interpretation

Communicate effectively about contemporary research, both orally and in writing.

Demonstrate an understanding of the central methodological issues involved in the contemporary study of the communication of human babies and our nearest living relatives.

View timetable

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.

How to read the week pattern

The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.

Dr David Leavens

Convenor, Assess convenor
/profiles/114996