The Development of Self-Awareness module (PY40031)

When and why do humans become self-aware? A sense of self is critical to our wellbeing, guiding our cognition, emotion and social behaviour.

In this module, we will explore how our sense of self develops, from our experience of our bodies to an understanding of our own and other's minds, we will discuss how our sense of self extends from the current moment into the past and future. Through reading and critiquing research and theory concerning the development of human selfhood, you will gain insight into the many layers of self-awareness and what it means to be you.

What you will learn

In this module, you will:

• consider the development of self-awareness
• learn how developmental science informs our understanding of the development of the self
• be supported to explore the challenges of establishing appropriate methodologies to draw conclusions about the mind and behaviour of infants and children

By the end of this module, you will be able to:
 

• understand the different features of the development of self-awareness, including our first perceptions of the self and the development of conceptual self-awareness
• understand how these developments in selfhood typically impact our social behaviour, memories and wellbeing
• think critically about the scientific evidence underpinning our understanding of the human self, including cross-species perspectives

reflect on the how selfhood might diverge including the impact of neurodiversity and culture

Assignments / assessment:

• Written research proposal - 2,500 words (40%)
• Final exam (55%)
• Grade based on attendance at seminars (5%)

Teaching methods / timetable:

1x two hour introductory lecture

7 x two hour student led seminars based on critical discussion of research papers.

Typically, each class has 4 key readings. You will be asked to read 1 of the 4 before attending class and be prepared to describe the content to a small group.

An additional article is provided for you to read each week, giving a background on the wider topic.

In class you meet with other students who read the same paper as you to ensure that everyone understands the paper and focused on the key information. Then the groups are mixed and you will share the summary you formed in the previous to share this knowledge with the new group. Then questions will be provided to discussed as a group to deepen your understanding.

2 x two-hour revision lectures are provided in the middle and end of the module.