PSYC3010 Psychobiology of Sleep and Cognition

2015

4.5

2 x 50-minute lectures weekly
1 x 2-hour practical fortnightly

1 1 of PSYC2018, PSYC2009
2 1 of PSYC2020, PSYC2016
3 Admission into GDPP-Graduate Diploma in Psychology
3a Admission into BPSG-Bachelor of Psychological Studies (Graduate Entry)
4 Admission into BEDMSSBA-B Education (Middle & Secondary Schooling), B Arts
5 9 units from any second year PSYC topics
Must Satisfy: ((1 and 2) or ((3 or 3a)) or (4 and 5))

1 of PSYC3036, PSYC3039 has been successfully completed

Basic knowledge of biological psychology, cognition, and learning at second year level.

The topic will focus on the phenomena of sleep and wakeful cognitive activity from biological and psychological perspectives. It will also discuss how all levels of sleep and wakefulness are embedded within the 24 hour world and our internalised circadian rhythm system. The topic will introduce the origins and some of the applications and findings of the emergent field of cognitive neuroscience with an emphasis on the methods of functional brain imaging including structural and functional magnetic resonance, positron emission tomography and the measurement of brain electrical and magnetic fields. The topic will examine how the brain enables and disables mental function. Disturbances of the circadian system and brain function can lead to both sleep disorders and psychopathologies, such as schizophrenia, ADHD, and depression.

The topic aims for students to develop a thorough understanding of the relationship between the physiological, behavioural, and cognitive elements of sleep and wakeful functioning. It will also review the variety of ways in which we can now measure and observe brain function directly. It will show how an understanding of these processes can lead to effective therapies of some common sleep disorders and psychopathological conditions.

Students successfully completing this topic should be able to demonstrate:

• An understanding of the biological and psychological processes of sleep
• An understanding of the effects of the circadian system on sleep and wakefulness
• An understanding of the variety of methods available to observe brain activity
• An understanding of the relationship between this brain activity and cognitive processes
• An appreciation of how cognitive neuroscience can lead to improvements in the understanding and treatment of psychological disorders