Module: PSY6101-20 Evolutionary Neuroscience and the Origin of the Human Mind

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Alexandra De Sousa

Module Tutor Contact Details: a.desousa@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

“In the distant future I see open fields for far more important researches. Psychology will be based on a new foundation, that of the necessary acquirement of each mental power and capacity by gradation. Light will be thrown on the origin of man and his history. “

Darwin, C. R. (1859). On the origin of species by means of natural selection, or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life. London: John Murray, p. 488.

Darwin anticipated his theory could be applied to understanding the human mind; this has grown into an interdisciplinary approach that is now best described as Evolutionary Neuroscience.

Evolutionary Neuroscience and the Origin of the Human Mind is a module examining the biological basis of behaviour. This approach is used to understand how evolution produced the brain and behaviour of humans as well as those of other existing life forms. To use this approach it is necessary to compare a wide array of species. Studying the neurobiology from an evolutionary perspective informs us about what it means to be human. It also has implications for conservation efforts for other species. Proposed relationships between brain structure and behaviour can be tested in an evolutionary context, thus informing the biomedical sciences about the generalizability of findings from animal models to humans. Evolutionary Neuroscience is interdisciplinary and draws from multiple fields including biology, psychology, anthropology, archaeology and anatomy.

This module will incorporate topics within the core domains of psychology according to the 2016 QAA benchmark statement, and many of these are within biological psychology. There will be discussions on issues in evolutionary psychology, functional brain imaging, behavioural genetics, biological bases of behaviour, social cognition and cognitive neuropsychology. It will also cover skills in research methods and design, as well as communication skills.

• Aim 1. To provide you with a solid grounding in the application of evolutionary theory to understanding the origin of the mind.

• Aim 2. To expose you to cutting edge interdisciplinary research and a dynamic perspective on how our own field interacts with the broader scientific domain, and well as will the general public.

• Aim 3. To provide you with the opportunity to develop and explore skills and confidence in accessing relevant and freely available programs (e.g. image analysis and phylogenetics programs), online databases (e.g., PanTheria), and search engines and other and IT resources (e.g., brain atlases, Translating Time), and for the access and retrieval of evolutionary biology and neuroscience literature (e.g. PubMed). You will learn about neuroanatomy in practicals, and could possibly have the opportunity to handle tissues. You will learn about behaviour in practicals, for example via opportunities for zoo data collection.

• Aim 4. To provide you with the opportunity to develop critical and analytical skills in more traditional formats (reading, writing, and discussion), as well of more creative forms of presentation (blogging).

2.Outline syllabus

The module will consist of 13 1-hour lectures and 13 2-hour seminars. Lectures will introduce the core topics and provide a framework for the module. These will be supported by seminars that will be a mix of tutor- and student-led discussions, practical work and presentations. These flexible sessions will allow in depth exploration of the topics introduced in the lectures, further discussion and the opportunity to gain experience and develop materials for the assessments.

Core topics to be covered:

• Historical Introduction to Evolutionary Neuroscience

• Behavioural and Evolutionary Ecology

• Comparative Psychology

• Cultural Evolution

• Evolution of Sensory Systems

• Evolution of Memory and Time Processing

• Evolution of Tool Use

• Origin of Language & Language Evolution

• Brain Size, Metabolism, and Diet

• Brain Size and Intelligence

• Evolution of Hominin Cognitive Capacities

• Evolution of Sociality and Morality

• Evolutionary Neuroscience Applications and Outreach

3.Teaching and learning activities

13 1-hour lectures will cover the topics outlined above. The teaching will focus on major concepts. In addition, new research in evolutionary neuroscience will be introduced (which can form the basis of Blog Entries). Learning and teaching strategies will also include collecting and analysing neuroanatomical and behavioural data, both in-class (practicals) and as individual preparatory work.

There will be 13 1-hour seminar sessions focussing on practical and theoretical themes complementary to the lecture topics.

Seminars will be comprised of a combination of journal clubs, practicals, and student topic presentations. In practicals, relevant research methods, programs and databases will be introduced (such as an off-campus visit to the zoo). In the journal club, you will each be assigned a paper to lead a discussion on.

Two seminars will be dedicated to students for proposing your research topic ideas.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: 2500 words written assignment (topic to be approved on individual basis)

• % Weighting: 50

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Brain Evolution in the News blog entry or video blog (2500 word equivalent)

• % Weighting: 50