Aims

To give a general introduction to the role of physiological mechanisms in psychological phenomena, focusing especially (but not exclusively) on neurochemicals and hormones.

Original Summary:
All our behaviour has a biological basis. The body and the brain form a vast interconnected system, in which everything affects everything else: stress and drugs can affect sleep patterns; hormones affect behaviour; sleep affects hormones and stress levels, etc. In this module, you will learn the basic mechanisms that underlie sleep and biological rhythms, sex, drug abuse, the effects of many drugs (from coffee to cocaine) on our bodies, stress, emotion and depression. You will also find out how these factors interact with each other in our bodies, and as such influence the way we behave.

Outline Of Syllabus

Sex Hormones and their actions
Drug actions and Drug abuse
Sleep and Biological Rhythms
Stress and Mood Disorders

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

This is a core module in biopsychology, aiming to familiarise the students with a body of factual knowledge, which is best brought across using lecture material sessions, which include clarification and discussion of the lecture material. Private study is essential for better integration and in-depth review of the lecture material.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The written examination will test independent learning and understanding of the material relevant to the module, as well as the ability to apply the material to everyday problems and to integrate across the material covered. The short answer questions allow me to assess the students’ in-depth understanding of mechanisms and their applications.

If the module is failed or deferred students will resit failed or deferred assessments in the same format during the August resit period.