MYSN0111c Affective and Social Neurosciences - exercise

Faculty of Medicine
autumn 2025
Extent and Intensity
0/0.5/0. 1 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Jakub Kraus, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Jakub Kraus, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology – Faculty of Social Studies
Supplier department: Department of Psychology – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Fri 10. 10. 10:00–17:40 P22, Fri 7. 11. 10:00–17:40 P22
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of this course is to provide students with up-to-date knowledge in the field of affective and social neuroscience. Key topics include the neurophysiological basis of emotion, the neurobiology of emotional memory, and the social modulation of emotion. Topics discussed will reflect possible implications for various psychopathological symptom continuums (e.g., anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, addiction, etc.).
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, a student will be able to:
- compare current neuroscience-based theories of emotion
- identify the brain regions and circuits that underlie emotions
- discuss the effects of social modulation of emotion, in the context of brain activity
- discuss current issues and new directions in emotion research
- apply knowledge from the course to understand different psychopathological conditions and possible treatments
Syllabus
  • Block 1
  • 1.Introduction and course description
  • 2. Methods of investigating neural activity
  • 3.The social brain
  • 4. Theory of emotion in a neuroscientific context
  • 5. Neural circuits related to fear
  • Block 2
  • 6. Basic motivational circuits
  • 7. Sadness and the brain
  • 8. Neurobiology of emotional memory
  • 9. Social modulation of emotion
  • Plenary lectures and associated seminar/discussions are merged and will happen dynamically within and throughout the blocks.
Literature
    required literature
  • Adolphs, R. How should neuroscience study emotions? by distinguishing emotion states, concepts, and experiences, Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, Volume 12, Issue 1, January 2017, Pages 24–31. https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsw153
  • LeDoux J. Rethinking the emotional brain [published correction appears in Neuron. 2012 Mar 8;73(5):1052]. Neuron. 2012;73(4):653–676. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2012.02.004
    recommended literature
  • Panksepp, J., & Watt, D. (2011). What is Basic about Basic Emotions? Lasting Lessons from Affective Neuroscience. Emotion Review, 3(4), 387–396. https://doi.org/10.1177/1754073911410741
  • Barrett, L.F. The theory of constructed emotion: an active inference account of interoception and categorization, Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, Volume 12, Issue 1, January 2017, Pages 1–23, https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsw154
  • Ekman, P., & Cordaro, D. (2011). What is Meant by Calling Emotions Basic. Emotion Review, 3(4), 364–370. https://doi.org/10.1177/1754073911410740
Teaching methods
Seminar, group projects and discussion. Studying the literature
Assessment methods
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR CREDIT: Attendance at seminars during the semester. Preparation and subsequent acceptance of a seminar paper based on an assignment given in class.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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