This course will explore the psychobiological basis of motivation. You will start by considering what we mean by motivated behaviour and explore some of the concepts that have been developed to try to explain motivation. After this, you will consider in depth how these motivation concepts help us understand the control of some specific motivated behaviours e.g. eating and drug use. Within this context you will ask about the important psychobiological mechanisms; these include not only the critical brain areas, and neurochemical systems but also the contributions of processes in other parts of the body to motivation. Finally you will also consider what happens when motivation gets out of control or when someone lacks motivation and how this is linked to psychological disorders.
By the end of the module you should be able to:
- Demonstrate a breadth of knowledge on the topic of motivation.
- Synthesise well-reasoned, in depth, arguments on topical issues in the science of motivation based on the academic literature.
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the psychobiological bases of motivation by synthesising arguments based on their own knowledge of the topic.
- Be able to discuss and evaluate evidence on specific motivated behaviours e.g. eating/drug use.
- Demonstrate understanding of recent developments in the science of motivation and their relevance to understanding/treating disorders involving problems with motivation.
- Demonstrate critical evaluation skills.