This module is not currently running in 2024 to 2025.
This module is concerned with contemporary concepts, theories and findings in the social psychology of justice and morality. We will consider how social psychology has been applied to understand the basis of our sense of morality and justice, with a particular focus on how these theories can help us understand contemporary real-world ethical debates and be applied with benefits for individuals, groups and society. In doing so, we will see how the empirical methods of psychology can be joined with philosophical and political concepts of justice and morality, and better understand how individuals develop and use moral concepts to navigate the social world and guide their behaviour.
Total Contact Hours 22
Private Study Hours 128
Total study hours 150
Optional to Psychology undergraduate courses. Available as an elective module, subject to prerequisites. Available to Short-Term Credit Students, at the discretion of the school.
Exam 2 hours 50%
Essay 2,500 words 50%
Reassessment methods: Like for like.
Reading list (Indicative list, current at time of publication. Reading lists will be published annually)
Nadelhoffer, T., Nahmias, E., & Nichols, S. (Eds.). (2010). Moral psychology: historical and contemporary readings. John Wiley & Sons.
Gray, K., & Graham, J. (Eds.). (2019). Atlas of moral psychology. Guilford Press.
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
systematically understand contemporary concepts, theories and findings in the Social Psychology of Justice and Morality
critically evaluate concepts, theories and findings in Social Psychology of Justice and Morality.
conceive research to address limitations and gaps in concepts, theories and findings Social Psychology of Justice and Morality.
demonstrate an awareness of how concepts, theories and findings in justice and morality may be applied, with benefits for individuals, groups, and society.
understand the historical and conceptual issues in the empirical study of justice and morality.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
critically evaluate the quality of theories, methods and findings in published research
express well-founded opinions, argue rationally, develop new perspectives and engage in critical thinking both orally and in written form
plan work and study independently
apply theoretical concepts to real-world applications
demonstrate an understanding of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge
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