| Unit name | Psychobiology |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PSYC11014 |
| Credit points | 10 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Kazanina |
| Open unit status | Open |
| Pre-requisites |
GCSE Mathematics (Grade C or above). |
| Co-requisites |
This unit is normally only available to students registered on a Single or Joint Honours Psychology programme. |
| School/department | School of Psychological Science |
| Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
This unit shows how the study of behaviour emerges from the theory of evolution as a distinct discipline. Conditioning-research is discussed as an area which is still developing, and the unit should enable a student to grasp the evolutionary significance of basic learning mechanisms. This lecture unit consists of 18 1-hour lectures.
During this unit you will acquire a good understanding of how the biological and mental explanations of behaviour are complementary and how these have been developed in a comparative context. You will learn how Central Nervous System is organised and how groups of neurons can process information. Also, you will appreciate how specific and general biological processes contribute to the limitation and versatility of behaviour. Such information is vital to understanding what can easily go wrong so that some people become functionally damaged (clinical case studies). You will also gain a broad understanding of classical and instrumental conditioning, and you will appreciate the importance of contemporary research exploring phenomena in associative learning.
This unit comprises of 16 x 50 minutes lectures, plus personal tutorial meetings with your tutor as arranged (for Honours students). Plus 1 unit overview session and a final session for the end of unit exam.
Coursework: one essay
Examination: 18 November 2012
Final Grade: based on 40% coursework and 60% examination
Schacter, D., Gilbert, D.T., Wegner, D. M. (2008). Psychology. Worth Publishers.
