PP3PSY: Philosophy of Psychology

Module code: PP3PSY

Module provider: Philosophy; School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Credits: 20

Level: 6

When you’ll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Walter Veit , email: w.r.w.veit@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The aim of this module is to offer a philosophical lens on the scientific study of the mind. We will examine conceptual and methodological problems in psychology, broadly conceived to include sciences of the mind. How do we gain evidence for one psychological theory or hypothesis over another? What is and why was there a replication crisis? What is the best way to understand psychiatric conditions? 

In this module, we will focus on a wide range of minds: not only human minds but also non-human minds, including animals and artificial intelligences. How can we study the diversity of minds in the world? What can we learn from the possibility of creating new forms of mind? This focus on the diversity of minds will help us to better understand diversity within the human species, i.e. neurodiversity – with conditions such as autism, ADHD, aphantasia, among many others. 

Through the study of philosophical texts, psychological research, and contemporary case studies, students will critically assess the philosophical assumptions and concepts underlying psychological theories and their relevance to broader philosophical questions about the mind. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Identify conceptual and methodological problems in the study of mind. 
2. Develop solutions to these problems and defend them in a precise and rigorous manner. 
3. Present arguments in the philosophy of psychology in writing and orally. 
4. Research and provide philosophical and as well as evidentiary support for alternative views by combining philosophical arguments and evidence from published empirical research. 

Module content

The content of this module will vary from year to year to offer a broad survey of both long-standing philosophical debates in psychology and emerging issues from contemporary research. 

Topics covered in the module may include: 

• Methodology of Psychological Research 
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• Animal Minds 
• Artificial Intelligence 
• Consciousness Science 
• Nature of Emotions 
• Free Will 
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• Evolutionary Psychology 
• Moral Psychology 

The topics will be explored through a combination of philosophical texts and psychological research broadly conceived to cover all the sciences of the mind. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module combines interactive lectures and seminars designed to foster engagement and critical thinking. Lectures introduce the weekly topic with an overview of key arguments and considerations, interspersed with opportunities for students to ask questions, offer insights, and engage in discussions. Seminars build on these foundations, focusing on group work, debate, and close examination of the required readings.  

Students are encouraged to actively participate in all sessions by discussing philosophical views, reflecting on the material, and collaboratively exploring ideas with their peers. 

Study hours

At least 26 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs