PSY3102

Advanced psychobiology: brain and behaviour

Professor Dexter Irvine, Dr Jenny Redman and Professor Kim T Ng

6 points - Four 1-hour lectures and 2 hours laboratory-related activity per week - Second semester - Clayton - Prerequisites: PSY2011 and PSY2022

Objectives On completion of this subject students will have acquired advanced knowledge of issues underpinning the relationship between brain processes and behaviour, become familiar with contemporary research and theoretical issues in psychobiology, developed skills necessary to appraise the literature in this field of psychology, been exposed to the range of research tools and paradigms used within different domains of psychobiology, and further developed skills relating to research design and statistical analysis, written and oral communication, and the use of modern information technologies that have been fostered throughout the undergraduate psychology program, with particular emphasis of the relevance of these skills to the field of psychobiology.

Synopsis Brain processes regulate a wide range of behaviours; some would argue all behaviours. A complete understanding of human behaviour cannot be achieved without an understanding of the interaction between brain processes and behaviour. This subject explores this interaction through an in-depth examination of a selection of behaviours, the biological bases of which have received widespread attention in the literature and are the subject of active research focus within the Department of Psychology. In particular, the subject explores (1) general principles of sensory processing and of sensory plasticity in development and in the mature organism, with special emphasis on auditory processing mechanisms and hearing impairment, (2) the neural and neurochemical mechanisms of circadian systems, performance rhythms, circadian issues in shift-work/jetlag, disorders of the circadian system, sleep and arousal, sleep deprivation and sleep disorders, (3) basic concepts in psychopharmacology, drug abuse, theories of addiction and therapeutic approaches, and (4) brain mechanisms in the formation and retrieval of memories, and their role in memory disorders in pathologies such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and clinical depression. The approach is multidisciplinary. Lectures will focus on specific and critical issues, augmented by detail exploration through selected seminars. Laboratory workshops will introduce students to the major methodologies and techniques necessary for exploring brain-behaviour relationships.

Assessment One 2-hour examination: 40% - 2000-word theoretical essay: 20% - Three 1000-word laboratory assignments: 10% each - Seminar presentations: 10%

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