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Fear and Survival - PSY00068H

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  • Department: Psychology
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Cade McCall
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

Fear might seem to be the most common and straightforward of emotional experiences, but questions remain regarding its nature. What do we find frightening and why? Is fear a universal experience? How do we think, feel, and behave when we are afraid? How do our bodies and brains respond to frightening environments? How do we share our fears with others? And why and how do we use fear to control and even entertain each other? This module will explore each of these questions through the lens of empirical psychological research.

Module learning outcomes

  • Provide an account of contemporary models of emotion.
  • Describe physiological correlates of fear and related states.
  • Discuss the ways in which cognitive functioning may change during threatening experiences.
  • Describe the evidence for, and potential benefits of, emotional contagion.
  • Discuss theories regarding the use of fear in popular forms of entertainment (e.g. film, gaming, etc.).

Module content

  • Innate versus learned fears.
  • Models of emotion.
  • Psychophysiology and fear-related phenomena
  • Fear related behaviour
  • The influence of fear on cognition
  • Emotional contagion
  • Fear as entertainment

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Fear and Survival		 5 hours 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Fear and Survival		 5 hours 100

Module feedback

The marks on all assessed work will be provided on e-vision.

Indicative reading

Non specified.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.