PY3SCO-Self Control

Module Provider: Psychology
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught:
Pre-requisites: PY2PS Personality and Social Psychology or PY2DSP Developmental and Social Psychology or PY2PS1 Personality and Social Psychology 1
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Julia Vogt
Email: j.vogt@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
Self Control

Aims:
This module aims to enable students to explore existing research and theoretical perspectives on self-control. The option aims to give students experience of critical evaluation of research approaches and theories of self-control; to help them develop the ability to study independently; and to give them experience of current research being undertaken in the department.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module, the student will be able to:
1.Critically analyse research on self-control.
2. Apply their understanding of the processes underlying self-control to sketch interventions and skills that facilitate self-control success.
3. Appraise key theoretical explanations for self-control failure and success, with critical reference to the literature.

Additional outcomes:

Students will gain experience from participating in evaluative discussions of research and theory in large and small groups.Ìý

Outline content:
The module comprises seven 2-hour seminars.

Self-control profoundly contributes to people£s success in life across various domains. Self-control is often considered to be a fixed personality trait but much research shows how it can be trained or facilitated by situational factors. We will look at the causes of self-control failure and how people can successfully identify and battle temptations in self-control conflicts. We will consider the major theories from motivation science and social psychology and critically evaluate the evidence. We will look at various interventions that allow people to prepare for and succeed in self-control conflicts, and discuss the implications of the evidence for policies and interventions.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Seminars involve lectures and interactive discussions. During the course of the module, students will complete weekly online assessment questions.

Contact hours:

Ìý	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	14		1
Guided independent study:	85
Ìý	Ìý	Ìý	Ìý
Total hours by term	99		1
Ìý	Ìý	Ìý	Ìý
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	75
Set exercise	25

Summative assessment- Examinations:

This module is assessed through coursework (25%) and a final exam (75%).Ìý



The 1.5-hour Summer Exam will require students to answer 1 essay question on topics covered in the module.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Coursework will comprise weekly online set exercises (Continuous Assessment Questions).

Formative assessment methods:

Students have the opportunity to provide the module convenor with up to two essay plans for comment and feedback in preparation for the exam.Ìý

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at:
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of at least 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:
Resit examination in August/September

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 8 April 2021