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Descriptor Details

  • Descriptor Title
    Introduction to Biological Psychology
  • C-ID Number
    150
  • Units
    3.0
  • Date of Last Revision
    10/12/2017 11:44:10 PM GMT+0000

General Description

This course introduces the scientific study of the biological bases of behavior and its fundamental role in the neurosciences.  Physiological, hormonal, and neurochemical mechanisms, and brain-behavior relationships underlying the psychological phenomena of sensation, perception, regulatory processes, emotion, learning, memory, and psychological disorders will be addressed.  The course also notes historical scientific contributions and current research principles for studying brain-behavior relationships and mental processes.  Ethical standards for human and animal research are discussed in the context of both invasive and non-invasive experimental research.

Prerequisites

Introductory Psychology (C-ID PSY 110)

Corequisites

No information provided

Advisories

English, one level below transfer (i.e., eligibility for English composition (C-ID ENGL 100)) and reading (a course with an exiting skill of ability to read a college level text)

Content

Biological Psychology as a Course of Study
Genes and Behavior and Human Evolution
Research Methods and Ethical Considerations of Biological Psychology and Neuroscience

  • Invasive vs Non-invasive
  • Research Ethics Applied to Animals and Humans

The Nervous System:  

  • Anatomy
  • Development and Plasticity
  • Communication within the Nervous System

The Effects of Psychoactive Drugs
Mechanisms of Perception, Conscious Awareness, and Attention
Wakefulness and Sleep
Ingestive Behavior
Hormones, Sexual Development, and Sexual Behavior
Learning and Memory
Emotion and Stress
Biological Bases of Psychological Disorders, Including Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia

Lab Activities

No information provided

Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

  1. Define and use basic biological, physiological, and psychological terminology of the neurosciences .
  2. Differentiate among specialty areas within Biological Psychology and the related disciplines within the Neurosciences and the types of research that characterize the biopsychological approach.
  3. Summarize the major issues in human evolution, genetics, and behavioral development that underlie the “biology of behavior.”
  4. Generate and explicate concrete examples of invasive vs. noninvasive research methods and the general principles of research ethics for the study of animals and human beings, including the research safeguards and the peer-review process in science.
  5. Explain scientific approaches used in methodologies for the study of brain-behavior relationships.
  6. Explain the general anatomy and physiology of the nervous system and its relationship to behavior.
  7. Describe neural conduction and synaptic transmission.
  8. Discuss the role of the neuroendocrine system as it relates to behavior.
  9. Exemplify with concrete examples various brain-behavior relationships including ingestive behavior, sexual behavior, sleep, learning, memory, stress, drug dependence, and psychiatric disorders such as affective disorders and schizophrenia.

Evaluation Methods

May include:
Exams
Quizzes
Written Assignments
Projects

Textbooks

Carlson, N, Foundations of Behavioral Neuroscience (Pearson)
Kalat, J.W.  Biological Psychology (Wadsworth)
Pinel, J.P.J. Biopsychology (Pearson)

Descriptor Administration

  • Public Review Needed
    No
  • Next Descriptor Review
    No information provided
  • Resubmission Requirements for Courses
    No information provided
  • Resubmission Deadline
    No information provided
  • Comments

    No information provided

  • Notes

    No information provided

  • Keywords

    Psychology, Biological, bio, psych

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