PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY
PSYC 465(565)
Spring, 2011
INSTRUCTOR: Bryan D. Devan, Ph.D.
Office and Phone: Psychology Bldg., Rm 512B; 410.704.3727
Office Hours: M/Tu: 1:00-2:00 pm; W/Th, 11:00 am -12:00 pm
Email: bdevan@towson.edu
CLASS MEETING: Psychology Bldg, Rm 507
Section .003: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:00–3:15 PM
WEBSITES (use internet Explorer)
Homepage: http://pages.towson.edu/bdevan
Class: http://pages.towson.edu/bdevan/Physio_Psych.htm
Lab (LCN): http://pages.towson.edu/bdevan/LCN.htm
TEXTBOOK:
Pinel, J.P.J. (2009). Biopsychology (7th edition)
Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
This is the course Textbook You could use these alternatives
2006, 6th ed. 2008, 7th ed.
International
But you are responsible for ALL
assigned material from the new edition
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
An introduction to the physiological bases of behavior.
The topics that will be considered include:
basic neuroanatomy and neurophysiology
sensory and motor systems
memory systems
“higher order” behavioral systems
Three hours of lecture per week.
PREREQUISITES:
You may remain in this course only if you have passed a General Biology
course with at least a grade of "C" (2.00 GPA) in that course. Among the
courses at Towson University that would satisfy the prerequisite are BIOL
110, 115, 190, 201, or 213. If this is not the case, it is your responsibility to
drop this course immediately.
You should also have at least 9 units of PSYC or the consent of the instructor.
Please present a transcript (either official or unofficial) to me by the
second course meeting so that I can verify that you have successfully
completed the course prerequisites.
An unofficial transcript may be printed by going to online services on the
Towson University website. The trail is as follows: Self Service > Student
Center > Transcript: View Unofficial Transcript (This is found in the
dropdown bar next to current class schedule). From there you should be able
to print a copy of your unofficial transcript.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:
The purpose of this course is to provide the student with a basic/broad
understanding of the biological foundations of behavior through a
survey of theoretical perspectives and research findings in different
subfields of biopsychology (defined as the scientific study of the biology
of behavior). Although an exhaustive account of topics is not possible in
a one-semester course, the general goals will include:
1) a review of basic concepts in psychology and neuroscience to
understand some contemporary problems biopsychologists are
attempting to answer
2) a description of the research methods used in different subfields of
biopsychology
3) a discussion of the former concepts and methods to promote critical
thinking and evaluation of biopsychological research findings.
COURSE FORMAT:
The course will include a combination of lecture material, including
multimedia presentations, and open discussion of topics. The course
is not constructed such that the lectures will stand alone. You are
expected to do the assigned readings before our discussion of the
material in class (that is, if the material will be discussed).
Given the complexity of the material, this may mean that you will
have to read the assigned text more than once in order to fully
comprehend the material, especially if you have very little college
background in the biological sciences.
I will make time to answer questions and review very difficult reading
material in class. However, I expect that you will be prepared for
class by having read the assigned chapters/sections beforehand.
bimodal distribution
Frequency
A B C D F
Are you in the pink? If so, then make sure you:
- Prepare for class (3 Rs)
- Ask (and answer) questions in class
- Practice outputting material (study group)
ASSIGNMENTS: Examinations
There will be three equally weighted exams in this course covering
material from both the book and lectures. The format for these exams
will be multiple choice and short answer/short essay. Exams are
given on the dates scheduled.
Make-up exams will only be given if an exam is
missed due to a medical emergency or a religious
holiday (a doctor’s note with the physician’s phone number must be
presented in case of a medical emergency). No other reasons will be
accepted. If you are going to miss an exam, you must contact me in
advance of the exam. If you do not contact me in advance, you will
not be permitted to make up the exam and will receive a 0 for that
exam. All makeup examinations will be short essay in format and
must be completed within three days of the student’s return to class. It
is the student's responsibility to arrange this time with the instructor.
ASSIGNMENTS: Article Summary
Each student will write a brief summary (approximately 2-3 typed,
double-spaced pages) of one recent (no older than 2005) primary
literature journal article concerning some aspect of
neurological/neuropsychological functioning (i.e., brain and behavior;
a list of suggested topics is provided at the class website
http://pages.towson.edu/bdevan/Physio_Psych.htm). The summary
should include a brief description of the study objectives, the basic
methods used in the study, the basic results of the study, and
conclusions. A copy of the journal article (including reference
section) must be included with the summary.
Also include your critique (critical assessment of the potential
problems, confounds, weaknesses and also the strengths) of the
study.
ASSIGNMENTS: Presentation
Each student will give a 7-10 minute presentation on their chosen
topic. The presentation should include (but is not limited to) a
discussion of the article summary and other material/resources related
to the topic. The presentation provides the student with an
opportunity to further explore the chosen topic with less restriction on
the source(s) of information used (e.g., websites, news reports etc.).
Presentation resources must be academic and scholarly and include at
least one journal publication. A sign-up sheet will be provided to
select the time and date for your presentation.
Summary of Assignments
- Exams - 3 equally weighted multiple choice with
short answer questions for extra credit
- Article summary – a brief summary of a scholarly
peer-reviewed journal article.
- Requirements - content includes Brain-Behavior
(Biology-Cognition)
- Recent study or review (no latter than 2005)
- 2-3 p. sum with journal article
- Oral Presentation – 7-10 min, journal article +
other resources – PowerPoint Preferred.
GRADING:
Exams = 3 x 50 pts. 150
Article Summary = 30 pts. 30
Presentation = 20 pts. 20
Total 200
See grading chart for % and letter grade equivalents
Grad credit – see me
IMPORTANT!!!
Plagiarism & Cheating
1) No credit given (stole the idea)
2) Credit given but used the same
wording
3) Cheating will not be tolerated
No lateral eye movements during exams
Attendance
1) Expected and necessary
2) Considered in the case of a
borderline grade
H1N1 Influenza Policy Statement
Students should not attend classes or
other university events from the onset of
flu-like symptoms until at least 24 hours
after the fever subsides without the use of
fever reducing medications. Such
absences will be considered excused
absences; however, students are
responsible for the material covered during
the period of their absence.
EMERGENCY STATEMENT:
In the event of a University-wide emergency, course
requirements deadlines and grading schemes are
subject to changes that may include alternative delivery
methods, alternative methods of interaction with the
instructor, class materials, and/or classmates, a revised
attendance policy, and a revised semester calendar
and/or grading scheme. In the case of a University-wide
emergency, please refer to the following about changes
in this course:
– Course web page (see above)
– Instructor’s email (see above)
– Emergency telephone number (i.e., my mobile # -- 410/446-
1425)
EMERGENCY STATEMENT:
For general information about any emergency situation,
please refer to the following:
– Towson University’s Website: www.towson.edu
– TU Text Alert System: This is a service designed to alert the
Towson University community via text messages to cell phones
when situations arise on campus that affect the ability of the
campus to function normally. Sign up:
http://www.towson.edu/adminfinance/facilities/police/campuseme
rgency/
ARRANGEMENTS AND INFORMATION
- Students with Disabilities
Please see me
- Academic Standards
1) Can only be repeated once without permission of
ASC
General info
turn off cell phones and audible devices
syllabus subject to change as needed
Course Schedule
Week Date Text Chapter (section) Exams/Assignments
1 Jan. 31, Feb. 2 Ch 1
2 Feb. 7, 9 Ch 1, Ch 3 (3.1 – 3.3)
3 Feb. 14, 16 Ch 3 (3.4 – 3.6)
4 Feb. 21, 23 Ch 4 (4.1 – 4.4)
Ch 4 (4.5 – 4.7), Ch 18 (18.1
5 Feb. 28, Mar. 2
– 18.2)
6 Mar. 7, 9 Review
Mar. 14 Exam 1
7
Mar. 16 Ch 5 Topics Due
8 Mar. 21, 23 Spring Break
9 Mar. 28, 30 Ch 5, Ch 7 (7.1)
10 Apr. 4, 6 Ch 6
Ch 12 (12.1 – 12.4), Ch 13
11 Apr. 11, 13
(13.1 – 13.2)
12 Apr. 18, 20 Review
Apr. 25 Exam 2
13
Apr. 27 Ch 8, Ch 11 Article Summary Due
14 May 2, 4 Ch 8, Ch 11 Presentations
Ch 10 (10.3-.5), Ch 17 (17.1-
15 May 9, 11 Presentations
.2)
May 16 Review
16
May 20 (Fri) 12:30 – 2:30 pm Final Exam
Dewsbury (1991)
The “biology” in “psychobiology” should include
the whole-animal approaches of ethology,
ecology, evolution…as well as the latest in
physiological methods and thought…. The
“compleat psychobiologist” should use whatever
explanatory power can be found with modern
physiological techniques, but never lose sight of
the problems that got us going in the first place:
the integrated behavior of whole, functioning,
adapted organisms. (p. 198).
Dewsbury, D.A. (1991). Psychobiology. American Psychologist, 46, 198-205.
Multiple levels of organization
Psychology: Behavior and Cognition
The complete organism
Top-down
reductionism
should be
Systems and Circuits balanced with
a bottom-up
Smaller parts of the approach to
complete organism put the
organism back
together
Synapses and Neurons
Why?
Neurogenetics
Molecular Biology Genes and Molecules
Subatomic particles or even smaller strings
and membranes in 11-dimensional space!
Why study behavior if the all the action
is at the molecular and genetic levels?
Answer:
The proof is in the behavior
A Drug company makes a major
discovery!
Would you take a
longevity pill?
But what if there was
no proof that it
The silver bullet of longevity
that could extend your life preserves cognitive
by 50 years
function?
Genes and Aging
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3401/01.html
Resveratrol in red wine?
http://www.genesistoday.com/genesis_today_products/resv_berry_juice.html
One vice for another