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MPTUO1a: Introduction to Psychology – Fall 2020
Weeks 3, 4 and 5 / Unit 3: Biopsychology
Behavioral Neuroscience. “The application of principles of biology to the study of physiological, genetic, and developmental mechanisms of behavior in humans and other animals.” [1]
Required Reading
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Chapter 2: Biopsychology in Psychology 101 by Dr. Christopher L. Heffner [2]
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Chapter Three: States of Consciousness, Part One: Consciousness in Psychology: An Introduction by Russell A. Dewey, PhD [3]
- Chapter Three: States of Consciousness, Part Two: Sleep in Psychology: An Introduction by Russell A. Dewey, PhD [3]
- Chapter Three: States of Consciousness, Part Three: Hypnosis in Psychology: An Introduction by Russell A. Dewey, PhD [3]
- Chapter Three: States of Consciousness, Part Four: Meditation in Psychology: An Introduction by Russell A. Dewey, PhD [3]
- Chapter Three: States of Consciousness, Part Five: Psychoactive Drugs in Psychology: An Introduction by Russell A. Dewey, PhD [3]
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Chapter 5: Sensation and Perception in Psychology 101 by Dr. Christopher L. Heffner [2]
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Chapter Four: Senses and Perception Part One: Sensation to Perception in Psychology: An Introduction by Russell A. Dewey, PhD [3]
- Chapter Four: Senses and Perception Part Two: The Visual System in Psychology: An Introduction by Russell A. Dewey, PhD [3]
- Chapter Four: Senses and Perception Part Three: The Auditory System in Psychology: An Introduction by Russell A. Dewey, PhD [3]
- Chapter Four: Senses and Perception Part Four: The “Minor” Senses in Psychology: An Introduction by Russell A. Dewey, PhD [3]
- Chapter Four: Senses and Perception Part Five: Extra Sensory Perception in Psychology: An Introduction by Russell A. Dewey, PhD [3]
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Homework
Biological Bases of Behavior
Structure and function of the nervous system in human and non-human animals
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- 1.1 Identify the major divisions and subdivisions of the human nervous system.
- 1.2 Identify the parts of the neuron and describe the basic process of neural transmission.
- 1.3 Differentiate between the structures and functions of the various parts of the central nervous system.
- 1.4 Describe lateralization of brain functions.
- 1.5 Discuss the mechanisms of and the importance of the plasticity of the nervous system.
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Structure and function of the endocrine system
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- 2.1 Describe how the endocrine glands are linked to the nervous system.
- 2.2 Describe the effects of hormones on behavior and mental processes.
- 2.3 Describe hormone effects on the immune system.
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The interaction between biological factors and experience
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- 3.1 Describe concepts in genetic transmission.
- 3.2 Describe the interactive effects of heredity and environment.
- 3.3 Explain how evolved tendencies influence behavior.
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Methods and issues related to biological advances
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- 4.1 Identify tools used to study the nervous system.
- 4.2 Describe advances made in neuroscience.
- 4.3 Discuss issues related to scientific advances in neuroscience and genetics.
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Consciousness
The relationship between conscious and unconscious processes
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- 1.1 Identify states of consciousness.
- 1.2 Distinguish between processing which is conscious (i.e., explicit) and other processing which happens without conscious awareness (i.e., implicit).
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Characteristics of sleep and theories that explain why we sleep and dream
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- 2.1 Describe the circadian rhythm and its relation to sleep.
- 2.2 Describe the sleep cycle.
- 2.3 Compare theories about the functions of sleep.
- 2.4 Describe types of sleep disorders.
- 2.5 Compare theories about the functions of dreams.
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Categories of psychoactive drugs and their effects
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- 3.1 Characterize the major categories of psychoactive drugs and their effects.
- 3.2 Describe how psychoactive drugs act at the synaptic level.
- 3.3 Evaluate the biological and psychological effects of psychoactive drugs.
- 3.4 Explain how culture and expectations influence the use and experience of drugs.
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Other states of consciousness
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- 4.1 Describe meditation and relaxation and their effects.
- 4.2 Describe hypnosis and controversies surrounding its nature and use.
- 4.3 Describe flow states.
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Sensation and Perception
The processes of sensation and perception
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- 1.1 Discuss processes of sensation and perception and how they interact.
- 1.2 Explain the concepts of threshold and adaptation.
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The capabilities and limitations of sensory processes
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- 2.1 List forms of physical energy for which humans and non-human animals do and do not have sensory receptors.
- 2.2 Describe the visual sensory system.
- 2.3 Describe the auditory sensory system.
- 2.4 Describe other sensory systems, such as olfaction, gustation, and somesthesis (e.g., skin senses, kinesthesis, and vestibular sense).
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Interaction of the person and the environment in determining perception
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- 3.1 Explain Gestalt principles of perception.
- 3.2 Describe binocular and monocular depth cues.
- 3.3 Describe the importance of perceptual constancies.
- 3.4 Describe perceptual illusions.
- 3.5 Describe the nature of attention.
- 3.6 Explain how experiences and expectations influence perception.
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Major Assignments and Deadlines
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- Participate. Make a minimum of 2 original comments or discussion posts and 2 responses to someone else.
- Watch the Unit 3 videos.
- Study the Unit 3 Slides.
- Review the Unit 3 Resources.
- Review the Unit 3 Study Guide.
- Take three quizzes.
- Quiz 4: Biopsychology
- Quiz 5: States of Consciousness
- Quiz 6: Sensation and Perception
« Return to Syllabus | MPT3 | General Studies | All Courses
- Behavioral neuroscience. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved June 3, 2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioral_neuroscience
- Heffner, Dr. Christopher L. (2001, April 1). Psychology 101. All Psych. https://allpsych.com/psychology101/
- Dewey, Dr. Russell A. (2017). Psychology: An Introduction. Psych Web. https://www.psywww.com/intropsych/
- The American Psychological Association’s Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools (APA TOPSS) course template.
