PSYC 318-01, Physiological Psychology, Fall 2006

Abstract

This course will investigate how the brain's normal and abnormal functioning affects human experience and behavior. Particular emphasis will be placed on those aspects of neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, and physiology, which directly influence experience, motivation, language, thought, and learning. Upon successfully completing this course, you will gain an understanding of: - the basic structure and functions of the central and peripheral nervous systems; - the operation of systems that bring information from the environment into the nervous system; - the operation of systems that produce behavioral output that affects the environment; - how hormones and the behavior they govern interact with the environment and each other; - how homeostatic mechanisms and brain reward systems influence behavior; - how the nervous system processes and stores new information; - the nervous system's roles in emotional reactions; - the nervous system's role in certain neurological and psychological disorders; - the complex interplay among physiology, behavior, and environmental circumstances. At the end of this course, you should be able to: - Be able to identify brain structures, describe their functions, and the role they play systems functioning. - Understand the structure, function and hierarchical organization of the brain. - Be able to discuss various technologies and clinical methods for studying the brain. - Be able to describe the potential outcome of damage to nervous system structures.