Unit information: Nutrition and Behaviour in 2008/09

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Unit name Nutrition and Behaviour
Unit code PSYC31032
Credit points 10
Level of study H/6
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 1B (weeks 7 - 12)
Unit director Professor. Jeff Brunstrom
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

Level 2 units forming part of a Single or Joint Honours programme in Psychology.
Co-requisites

Level 3 units as required for a Single or Joint Honours programme in Psychology.
School/department School of Psychological Science
Faculty Faculty of Life Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

The unit examines the inter-relationships between nutrition and behaviour and their implications for health and psychological well-being. Major topics covered are appetite and weight control (including obesity and dieting); eating disorders; food preferences; dietary influences on mood and cognitive function; caffeine psychopharmacology; and food craving and "addiction". An underlying theme to these topics is the interplay of biological, psychological and social processes influencing behaviour. The unit consists of twelve 1-hour lectures, plus one 1-hour tutorial. It has one compulsory essay.

The unit aims to develop students intellectual skills and knowledge base. Students will be furnished with a thorough understanding of contemporary issues in the subject area and will learn about the role of empirical evidence in the formation of theory. The acquisition of both generic and specific skills is furthered, and students are expected to be able to systematically analyse the relationships between multiple perspectives in the light of theory and evidence, and show an impressive grasp of theory and creative insight. Students are expected to further develop written and information synthesis skills, as well as critical evaluation skills by producing a piece of assessed written work and exams. A further aim is to introduce students to different methodological approaches to the study of nutrition and behaviour.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On completion of the unit, the students will:

  • Have developed a thorough understanding of contemporary issues and methodological approaches to the study of nutrition and behaviour.
  • Have a comprehensive understanding of the application of these approaches in the literature.
  • Have further improved their transferable skills.

Teaching Information

12 lectures and 1 tutorial (up to 15 students in each tutorial).

Assessment Information

Summative assessment: One 2000 word essay (30%) and 1 2-hour exam (70%).

Reading and References

  • Capaldi, E. D. (1996). Why we eat what we eat: The psychology of eating. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association. [Arts and Social Sciences Library TX355 WHY, 1 copy]
  • Frayn, K. N. (1996). Metabolic regulation: A human perspective. London: Portland Press. [Medical Library D6f FRA, 10 copies; Arts & Social Sciences Library QP171 FRA, 1 copy]
  • Hetherington, M. M. (Ed.) (2001). Food craving and addiction. Leatherhead: Leatherhead Publishing. [Arts & Social Sciences Library RC552.C65 FOO, 2 copies]
  • James, J. E. (1997). Understanding Caffeine: A biobehavioural analysis. Thousand Oaks CA.: Sage. [Arts & Social Sciences Library QP801.C24 JAM, 2 copies]
  • Lask, B. & Bryant-Waugh, R. (Eds.) (2000). Anorexia nervosa and related eating disorders in childhood and adolescence, 2nd edition. Hove UK: Psychology Press. [Arts & Social Sciences Library, RC552.A5 ANO 2 copies]
  • Mela, D. J. & Rogers, P. J. (1998). Food, eating and obesity: The psychobiological basis of appetite and weight control. London: Chapman and Hall. [Arts & Social Sciences Library RC62A MEL, 5 copies]

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