In our modern world, questions of justice and morality pervade every aspect of our lives, from the societal structures we are part of to the ethical decisions we make on a daily basis. In this module we conduct a deep-dive into classic theories and cutting-edge research in psychology and experimental philosophy to understand the intricacies of our moral minds. We will understand how the features of our moral minds shape contemporary social issues: for example, by driving social inequality; creating conflict around the treatment of animals; and presenting barriers in how we respond to new dilemmas posed by technologies like artificial intelligence. By gaining a deep understanding of the psychological factors that influence moral judgments and behaviour, you will be empowered to make your own contribution to creating a better world.
Lecture 16, Workshop 16, Independent Study 118, Assessment Preparation 50
Critical reflection of AI content, 1200 words, worth 40%
Discussion/viva, 10 minutes, worth 60%
Reassessment Method: Like for like
On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
1) Identify and describe contemporary concepts, findings, and theories in the social psychology of justice and morality
2) Critically evaluate these contemporary concepts, findings, and theories
3) Question and interpret how research on the social psychology of justice and morality can be used to understand real-world social issues
4) evaluate and predict how this research can be applied to provide solutions to social issues
5) Recognise limitations and gaps in concepts, theories and findings in our current understanding of the moral mind and suggest solutions
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