Psychology MA, Emotion and Decision Making, 7.5 credits

Aim

The aim of the course is to provide a deeper understanding of how emotions affect decision-making at the individual, group and societal level.

Course objectives

After completing the course, the student is expected to:

Knowledge and understanding
• Describe basic research on how emotions affect decision-making.
• Describe relevant research in the field.
• Describe scientific methods for studying emotions and decision-making.

Skills and abilities
• Discuss the connection between emotion and decision-making based on different psychological perspectives and emotion theory and be able to apply these to current social issues.
• Relate scientific methods to relevant emotion theories and have the ability to connect these to decision-making.
• On a theoretical basis, be able to design a scientific study in emotion and decision-making.
• Have the ability to communicate own research plans in a scientific context.

Judgement and approach
• Reflect on and evaluate the usefulness of different research methods based on the chosen problem formulation.

Content

The course aims for the student to evaluate and analyze theories within emotion and decisionmaking. How emotions affect individuals and people in groups is discussed and problematized during the course. Furthermore, the subject area is discussed and problematized based on various relevant theories and explanatory models. The connection between emotion and decision-making on an individual, group and societal level is analyzed and problematized.

Entry requirements

A bachelor's degree of at least 180 credits (ECTS) with a major in psychology. English B/English 6 from Swedish gymnasium or the equivalent (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS etc.).

Selection rules and procedures

The selection process is in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance and the local order of admission.

Teaching form

The course is primarily taught by distance (i.e., through online lectures, seminars and interactions as well as through individual and group assignments to be submitted online). However, it also includes mandatory in-person participation in a meeting, which takes place at the end of the course, on campus in Östersund (Sweden), and lasts two days. The meeting includes 1. an oral presentation (examination), relating to the final assignment of the course. 2. participation in a conference within the field of Emotion Psychology.

All parts of the course are a basis for the examination, and for scheduled examinations attendance are compulsory. Students are required to actively use the university's learning platform. The platform is the primary communication tool used for students and teachers, and students will find important information needed to complete the course in the course room.

Examination form

2101: Basic, Seminar, 1.5 Credits
Grade scale: Fail (U) or Pass (G)

2201: Advanced, Seminar, 1.5 Credits
Grade scale: Fail (U) or Pass (G)

2301: Written assignment and oral presentation, 4.5 Credits
Grade scale: Seven-grade scale, A, B, C, D, E, Fx and F. Fx and F represent fail levels.

The course objectives will be examined through active participation in seminars and discussions, on site and online, as well as through written assignment. An oral presentation of the final assignments is part of the in-person meeting at Campus. A re-examination opportunity for an oral presentation is given in connection with the next campus meeting. Valid absence from examination for oral presentation can be replaced by an oral presentation at a supplementary seminar.

All examinations take place in English.

The final grade of the course is obtained when all examinations on the course are passed. Link to subject-specific criteria for marks www.miun.se/grading

The examiner has the right to offer alternative examination arrangements to students who have been granted the right to special support by Mid Sweden University’s disabilities adviser.

Examination restrictions

Students registered on this version of the syllabus have the right to be examined three (3) times within one (1) year according to this syllabus. After that, the latest version of the syllabus applies.

Grading system

Seven-grade scale, A, B, C, D, E, Fx and F. Fx and F represent fail levels.

Other information

Given that this course is being taught by distance, participation requires internet access, as well as access to a computer, headset and webcam.

The course is being taugth in English.

The course can not be included in a degree together with the course PS065A.