Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description

Consciousness, Behaviour and Communication

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
PMUPK_026
Branch of Science
Media and communications; Psychology and Ethics of Communication
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Communication Science
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Structure Unit Manager
Structural Unit
Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy
Contacts

Riga, 23 Kapseļu Street, pmpk@rsu.lv, +371 67210989

About Study Course

Objective

Acquire knowledge of behavioural sciences, consciousness and communication. Acquire critical thinking skills by evaluating different theories about human behaviour, psyche and interaction.

Preliminary Knowledge

Analysis of communication situations.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.Students acquire knowledge of human consciousness, behaviour and communication, the role of essential emotions, motivational systems, social interactions, human character, emotions, awareness and thinking change opportunities.

Skills

1.Students have a grasp of modern complex concepts of human behavioural sciences, psychology, psychotherapy, psychiatry. Students acquire the skills to evaluate the scientific validity of different theories according to the principles of critical thinking.

Competences

1.Students are familiar with general theories of consciousness, behaviour and communication. Students are competent in the field of science and pseudoscience. Students know well the principles of scientific and critical thinking and distinguish between these types of thinking and the collection of non-scientific information.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Individual work

-
-
• Video analysis and / or • Clinical case description and / or • Open questions at the beginning of the lesson and / or • Multiple choice test and / or • Preparation of a presentation on the topic of the lesson.

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Examination

-
-
Analysis of interviews published in the media.
2.

Examination

-
-
The exam grade is cumulative. It consists of: 1. Intermediate examination - 50%. At the choice of the lecturer: • Video analysis and / or • Clinical case description and / or • Open questions at the beginning of the lesson and / or • Multiple choice test and / or • Preparation of a presentation on the topic of the lesson. 2. Final exam (50%) - electronic, e-learning available or face-to-face multi-choice test on the topics covered within the course. It is possible to credit the automatic final test if the following criteria are met: -excellely passed mid-term examination; -100% attendance of classes and lectures; -active participation in discussions and role plays. OR A presentation on the topic of the cycle lesson has been prepared (literature review); (b) a clinical case; c) the latest research (according to the topic of the lesson).

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

An overview of human psyche and behavioral theories. I
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

People's faith in the supernatural and paranormal. Magical thinking. I
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

An overview of human psyche and behavioral theories. II
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Apologist theories. Emotion functions. I
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Changes in human personality, communication and thinking. I
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Motivation for people, social communication systems. Mimetics and communication.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

People's faith in the supernatural and paranormal. Magical thinking. II
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Changes in human personality, communication and thinking. II
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Morality. Critical thinking
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Apologist theories. Emotion functions. II
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
20 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Alcock, J.E., Otis, L.P. Critical thinking and belief in the paranormal. Psychological Reports, 1980; 46(2): 479-482.

2.

Blackmore S. The Meme Machine. Oxford University Press, 1999.

3.

Bloom P. Just babies : the origins of good and evil. Crown Publishers, New York, 2013.

4.

Broom D.M. The Evolution of Morality and Religion. Cambridge University Press, 2003.

5.

Buss D.M. The handbook of evolutionary psychology. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2005.

6.

Facione P.A. Critical Thinking: A Statement of Expert Consensus for Purposes of Educational Assessment and Instruction

7.

Franks D.D., Turner J.H. Handbook of Neurosociology. Springer, 2013.

8.

Schick Theodore. How to think about weird things: critical thinking for a new age. McGraw-Hill, 2005.

9.

Utināns A. DNS, matrice un cilvēka uzvedība. Nacionālais apgāds, 2008.

Additional Reading

1.

Armony J., Vuilleumier P. The Cambridge Handbook of Human Affective Neuroscience. Cambridge University Press, 2013.

2.

Brodie, R. Virus of the mind. Integral Press, 1996.

3.

Distin K. The Selfish Meme. Cambridge University Press, 2005.

4.

Goode E. Paranormal Beliefs: A Sociological Introduction. Waveland Press, Inc. 2000.

5.

Hamer D.H. The god gene: how faith is hardwired into our genes. New York: Doubleday, 2004.

6.

Irwin H. J. The Psychology of Paranormal Belief. A Researcherˮs Handbook. Hertfortshire: University of Hertforshire Press, 2009.

7.

Subbotsky E. Magic and the Mind: Mechanisms, Functions, and Development of Magical

8.

Thinking and Behavior. Oxford University Press, 2010.

9.

Utināns A. Cilvēka psihe. Tās darbība, funkcionēšanas traucējumi un ārstēšanas iespējas. Nacionālais apgāds, 2005.

10.

Носырев И. Мастера иллюзий. Как идеи превращают нас в рабов. Форум, Неолит, 2013: 542 c.