James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2023

LB5537 - Neuroscience, Psychology and Conflict

Subject Description

Knowing what happens in our brain and body when people experience conflict, particularly high emotion and stress, is vital to understanding and managing conflict. In this subject, students will learn how emotions and stress affect people's conflict behaviours, perceptions and attitudes. Students will also investigate the impact of stress on communication and cognition, including information processing, decision-making and memory in complex conflicts. This subject considers conflict from a psychological perspective including social, personality, and cognitive psychology. Students will examine how individual, cultural and contextual differences in social cognition and personality may influence peoples' conflict behaviours. Students will also critically analyse how evidence-based research in neuroscience and psychology can assist leaders to manage and support others in conflict.

Learning Outcomes

• Evaluate complex conflict and related theories and standards for professional practice in conflict management and resolution
• Critically analyse complex conflicts and conflict management systems
• Effectively communicate with, facilitate and support people in personal, group, organisational and cross-cultural conflict
• Research, analyse and interpret data from a range of sources relevant to conflict management and resolution

Subject Assessment

• Written > Case study analysis - (50%) - Individual
• Written > Reflection/reflective task 1 - (20%) - Individual
• Written > Critical Analysis - (30%) - Individual

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Assumed Knowledge:  LB5530 OR LB5525 OR LB5535

Availabilities