PSY 240 ENTIRE COURSE

Course Description 

This course provides an introduction to the investigation of physiological and neurological basis for human behavior. The student will be able to study and discuss various influences on personality development, such as pre-natal maternal behavior; gender; nature versus nurture; brain development; genetic composition; sensory motor interactions; learning disabilities; drug impacts; and neurological diseases.

 Course Topics & Objectives 

Week One: Introduction to Biopsychology

 

• Describe the biopsychology and its theoretical framework.
• Explain the affects of behavior on evolution.
• Explain the concepts behind the nature versus nurture issue.

 

Week Two: The Brain and Nervous System

 

• Identify the structures of the nervous system and brain.
• Summarize the biological functions of the brain.

 

Week Three: Neural Activity

 

• Discuss the basic structures and functions of neurons and synapses in the brain.
• Describe the conduction of action potentials and activation of neurotransmitters.
• Describe methods for studying the brain.

 

Week Four: Hunger, Eating, and Health

 

• Describe common factors that influence what, when, and how much we eat.
• Differentiate between set points and settling points in weight control.
• Relate physiological factors to hunger and satiety.
• Hypothesize main causal factors of obesity and anorexia.

 

Week Five: Hormones and Sex

 

• Describe the neuroendocrine system’s involvement in sexual development.
• Relate hormones to sexual development and behavior.
• Summarize perspectives on sexual orientation and identity.

 

Week Six: Sleep, Dreaming, and Circadian Rhythms

 

• Describe common sleep stages and dream concepts and theories.
• Differentiate between recuperation and circadian theories of sleep.
• Analyze the effects of sleep deprivation and long-term sleep reduction.
• Describe common sleeping disorders and drugs that affect sleep.

 

Week Seven: Addictions and Emotions

 

• Discuss the principles of drug addiction.
• Categorize health effects of commonly abused drugs.
• Describe the theories and brain mechanisms of emotion.

  

Week Eight: The Split Brain & Psychiatric Disorders

 

• Describe four methods of studying cerebral lateralization.
• Distinguish between functionalities of the left and right hemispheres of the brain.
• Describe various psychiatric disorders and diseases.
• Associate appropriate drug remedies for psychiatric disorders and diseases.

 

Week Nine: Biopsychology Overview

 

• Describe the biological functions/dysfunctions and drug therapies associated with schizophrenia.
• Apply biopsychology principles to different biological disorders.