Program Overview

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Science of Bias (PSYC0253)

Key Information

The Science of Bias module is offered by the Faculty of Brain Sciences, specifically the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences. It carries a credit value of 15.

Restrictions

This module is restricted to certain students, including:

• BSc/MSci Psychology students (Year 2 only)
• BSc/MSci PALS students (Year 2 only)
• Human Neuroscience students (Year 2 only)
• Linguistics students (as a Year 2 elective only, subject to availability)

Alternative Credit Options

There are no alternative credit options available for this module.

Description

Content

The module focuses on eliminating social biases, guided by the latest scientific research on relevant psychological concepts. Students must devise a bias intervention for a real-world case of institutional or structural bias, informed by scientific information and communicated to a non-expert audience and policy-makers.

Teaching Delivery

This module is taught via 20 hours of in-person lectures over 10 teaching weeks, combining topic lectures and interactive sessions.

Indicative Topics

Indicative topics include:

• Eugenics
• Brain and Bias
• Cognitive Bias
• Evolution and Gender
• Evolution and Race
• Genetics and Sexual Orientation
• Stereotyping and Prejudice
• Explicit Bias
• Hate Speech & Institutional Bias
• Physiology, Ability, Review and Assessment Prep

Module Aims

The module aims to enable students to:

• Understand why social biases exist
• Explain the biological and psychological mechanisms of bias
• Develop policy-level intervention strategies for bias
• Improve science communication

Module Deliveries for 2026/27 Academic Year

Intended Teaching Term

The module is intended to be taught in Term 1, at the Undergraduate (FHEQ Level 5) level.

Teaching and Assessment

Mode of Study

The mode of study is in-person.

Methods of Assessment

The assessment consists of:

• 50% Coursework
• 50% Exam

Mark Scheme

The mark scheme uses numeric marks.

Other Information

Number of Students on Module in Previous Year

289 students were on this module in the previous year.

Module Leader

The module leader is Professor Lasana Harris.