Course Catalogue

Neuropsychological Approaches to Consciousness and Volition 4H PSYCH4110

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Psychology and Neuroscience
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

In this course we will discuss neuropsychological and neuroscientific studies on consciousness. We will select and critically assess influential publications in this field and discuss their wider implications with particular reference to neuropsychological phenomena such as hemispatial neglect, agnosia, body awareness, awareness, theory of mind and voluntary action. 

Timetable

Weekly two-hour lectures

Requirements of Entry

Successful completion of level 3H psychology single honours

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

70% examination: Allowing the students to answer a choice of questions from a wider set, addressing content from ILOs 1-4.

30% Science Communication Set Exercise: Students will complete a set scientific communication exercise. The exercise may include, but is not limited to, presentations, posters, and short written pieces for diverse audiences. Addressing content from ILOs 4 & 5.

Main Assessment In: April/May

Course Aims

The aim of this course is to introduce students to some major neuropsychological phenomena and to outline how an understanding of these can inform our understanding of brain function and consciousness.  

Experiences such as blindsight, agnosia, optic ataxia, hemispatial neglect and loss of body awareness shall be presented and their relevance to models of brain function outlined.

Working in groups and individually we will critically discuss these syndromes in the context of philosophical, psychological, and neuroscientific research on visual awareness, voluntary and spontaneous actions and decisions, and their implications to the concept of consciousness and free will. 

Students will be introduced to the concept of participatory research and lived experiences

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Critically assess the different models underpinning the neuropsychological phenomena described

■ Detect methodological challenges and limitations when predicting behaviour from neuropsychological/ neuroscientific measurements

■ discern basic philosophical and neuropsychological constructs surrounding the idea of awareness, consciousness and free will

■ critically and independently describe changing interpretations over time and evaluate pros and cons of new research and applications in this field

■ Gain an understanding of participatory research and lived experiences

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions