PSY1211 · Brain and behaviour

Overview

In this unit, you will be provided with an accessible introduction to current topics in biological psychology and cognitive neuroscience. Understanding of biological psychology and cognitive neuroscience will allow you to better understand the diversity and complexity of human behaviour. You will explore a series of applied topics as a window into basic principles of how people behave, think, and feel. Through examples, you will broaden your perspective of the biological and cognitive approach to psychology. You will also explore how psychological research methods and tools are applied to understand the human brain and human behaviour.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Describe the contribution of brain structures and processes to human behaviour and cognition.
2. Apply principles from the fields of biological psychology and cognitive neuroscience to explain behavioural phenomena.
3. Contrast the scientific perspective on brain and behaviour with how topics are depicted in the popular media.
4. Appraise the relative contributions of biological and environmental factors to applied topics in biological psychology and cognitive neuroscience.
5. Interpret experimental data while considering variability inherent to working with human participants.

Workload

Two hours of seminars per week, either on-campus or online. Two hours of tutorials nine times per semester. Induction tutorial: One hour in Week 1 of semester. Eight hours background reading/preparation for seminars, tutorials and assessment tasks per week.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.