The psychology of animal and human conditioning, learning, and cognitive processes. This course considers the structure and function of the central nervous system as it relates to behavior. Topics include Neural communication, psychoactive drugs, experimental techniques in physiological psychology, brain damage and neurological disorders, the biological basis of mental illness, the biology of basic behaviors, and the physiological basis of learning. Offered in the fall term. A survey of the development dynamics of the human life cycle from conception through the aging and death processes.
Psychopharmacology is the study of drugs that influence mood and behavior.
Social issues surrounding drugs will be only briefly discussed, as it is most important to understand drug mechanisms and effects before forming opinions on social policy. Students will be required to write a research paper on a topic of interest to them within the field. This course examines the organization of purposive behaviors and the origin of psychological experiences that accompany behaviors and emotions. The scope of topics will include biologically driven behaviors, the effect of conditioning and reinforcement of behaviors, behavior modification, how decisions are made, social motivation, emotions, and complex motives. Physiology of the sensory systems and theories of perception are the major thrust of this course.