PSYC3010 Mind, Brain and Behaviour

2018

4.5

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

1 Admission into BPSG-Bachelor of Psychological Studies (Graduate Entry)
1a Admission into BPSGFP-Bachelor of Psychological Studies (Graduate Entry) - City Campus
2 13.5 units from any second year PSYC topics
3 ^ PSYC2020 - Cognition and Learning
4 Admission into BHSPS-Bachelor of Health Sciences (Psychology)
4a ^ PSYC2018 - Research Methods 2
4b Admission into BHSPSFP-Bachelor of Health Sciences (Psychology) - City Campus
4c Admission into BHSFP-Bachelor of Health Sciences - City Campus
Must Satisfy: (((1 or 1a)) or (2)) and (3 and (4 or 4a or 4b or 4c))

1 of PSYC3036, PSYC3039 has been successfully completed

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

Psychology major: Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), Bachelor of Psychological Studies (Graduate Entry), Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology), Bachelor of Psychological Science, Graduate Diploma in Psychology, Bachelor of Arts.

This topic explores the relationship between the mind, brain, genes and psychological attributes, such as behaviour, cognition and sleep. Particular attention is devoted to the techniques of scientific investigation and how they are applied to discovering the interrelation between the mind, brain and genes. Evolutionary and developmental scenarios will be used to provide a context that will facilitate understanding of brain and cognitive functioning. The brain will also be considered in its normal state as well as disordered states following damage or disease. The course comprises a number of more specific areas including some of the following: The structure and function of the brain in clinical and non-clinical populations, laterality, normal and disordered sleep, adolescent sleep, behavioural genetics and epigenetics.

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