Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Psychophysiology
Course Code
VPUPK_375
Branch of Science
Other Sub-Branches of Psychology; Psychology
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Psychology
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time; Part-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Agnese Ušacka
Structure Unit Manager
Kristīne Mārtinsone
Structural Unit
Department of Health Psychology and Paedagogy
Contacts
Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, vppk@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
To provide an understanding of neurophysiological mechanisms of psychological functions in the human brain. As well as to teach the physiological origins of reflexes, human motivation, emotions, memories, attention and consciousness, allowing to understand these phenomena in human psychology. Promote students’ skills to work independently and in a group to search for information, analyse it and present it in written form.
Preliminary Knowledge
Biology and Genetics, Biomedical Basics of Human Functioning, General Psychology.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Students define psychophysiology as a branch of science, explain its main research objects and goals.
2.Describes the structure, functioning and role of the central and peripheral nervous system in psychological processes and describes the functional organisation of the brain, the principles of the functioning of neurons and synaptic transmission.
3.Students analyze the neurophysiological basics of psychiatric processes such as motivation, consciousness, memory and stress, describe them based on modern sources of psychophysiology science.
Skills
1.Students are able to apply concepts and principles of psychophysiology by explaining human behavior and psychological processes.
2.Able to analyse the role of psychophysiological data in the study of human psychological phenomena, as well as to interpret physiological data in relation to psychological processes and conditions.
3.Able to link theoretical knowledge with real examples from the practice of psychology or neuroscience.
Competences
1.Student is able to integrate psychophysiology knowledge into the interpretation of psychological processes and behaviour.
2.Critically evaluate psychophysiological research data and their interpretation possibilities.
3.Apply psychophysiology knowledge in professional fields by analysing the behaviour of the individual and group in the context of physiological processes.
Assessment
Individual work
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Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Examination |
60.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
Each student must write a 1,500-word essay on one of the proposed topics related to the material presented in lectures. In the essay, students raise an essay question based on the chosen topic, perform synthesis and theory of scientific literature, critical analysis of empirical research to provide an answer to the essay question. |
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Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Examination |
40.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
At the end of the semester, the exam - a 90-question test with multiple options. The questions asked in the test will cover all study material from all lectures and practical classes. Students complete the test on university premises on a predetermined date without using any notes or knowing the questions beforehand. |
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|
2.
Active participation in classes |
-
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Test
|
|
Active participation in classes - each student asks a question about the material covered in the class, for which they receive a mark “passed.” In accordance with Paragraph 3.9 of RSU academic Regulations I, attendance of classes is mandatory and registered. |
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Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Subject, methods, science of psychophysiology, its history. Research methods and technologies.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Functional structure of the human nervous system. Functions of the nervous system. Reflex. Central and peripheral nervous system. Nervous system formations in tissues and organs.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Basic types of specific cells of the nervous system. Basic functions of the neuroendocrine system.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Neural Communication: Signaling, transmission of electrical and chemical information in the nervous system. Neuroplasticity.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Functions of the cerebral cortex; functional asymmetry. Sleep-wake cycle.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Sensory and motor systems.
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-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Physiology of pain; objective and subjective components of the pain response. Physiology of stress.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Physiological nature of basic mental processes: consciousness, unconsciousness and perception.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Physiological nature of basic mental processes: memory, types of memory and attention.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Physiological nature of basic mental processes: Emotions and motivation.
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-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Principles of academic writing in psychophysiology.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Essay subjects - dopamine and motivation.
Description
The essay topics will be discussed during the class. As part of this lesson, the topic of the role of neuromodulator dopamine in human motivation will be examined. Students will be prepared to write an essay on the subject. |
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Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Essay subjects - cortisol and stress physiology and psychology.
Description
The essay topics will be discussed during the class. As part of this lesson, the topic of the role of hormone cortisol in stress physiology and psychology will be examined. Students will be prepared to write an essay on the subject. |
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Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Essay subjects - the physiology of memory and consciousness.
Description
The essay topics will be discussed during the class. As part of this lesson, the topic of the physiology of memory and consciousness will be considered. Students will be prepared to write an essay on the subject. |
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
28 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
PART-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Subject, methods, science of psychophysiology, its history. Research methods and technologies.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Functional structure of the human nervous system. Functions of the nervous system. Reflex. Central and peripheral nervous system. Nervous system formations in tissues and organs.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Basic types of specific cells of the nervous system. Basic functions of the neuroendocrine system.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Neural Communication: Signaling, transmission of electrical and chemical information in the nervous system. Neuroplasticity.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Cortical functions of the large hemispheres of the brain; functional asymmetry. Stress physiology.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
The physiological nature of basic psychiatric processes: memory, forms of memory and motivation.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Principles of academic writing in psychophysiology.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Principles of academic writing in psychophysiology.
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
16 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Kalat, J. W. (2023). Biological psychology (14.ed). Cengage learning.Suitable for English stream
2.
Kandel, E. R., Koester, J., Mack, S. & Siegelbaum, S. (Eds.). (2021) Principles of neural science (Sixth edition). McGraw Hill.Suitable for English stream
3.
Ambron, R. (2022). The Brain and Pain: Breakthroughs in Neuroscience. Columbia University Press.Suitable for English stream
4.
Lundy-Ekman, L. (2023). Neuroscience: fundamentals for rehabilitation. 6th ed. St.Louis: ElsevierSuitable for English stream
5.
Yuste, R. (2021). Lectures in Neuroscience. Columbia University Press.Suitable for English stream
6.
Blake, M. L., & Hoepner, J. K. (2021). Clinical Neuroscience for Communication Disorders: Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology (Vol. 1). Plural Publishing.Suitable for English stream
7.
Bear, M., Connors, B., & Paradiso, M. A. (2020). Neuroscience: exploring the brain, enhanced edition: exploring the brain. Jones & Bartlett Learning.Suitable for English stream
Additional Reading
1.
Hamm AO. (2020). Fear, anxiety, and their disorders from the perspective of psychophysiology. Psychophysiology [Psychophysiology]. Feb; Vol. 57 (2), pp. e13474; Publisher: Blackwell; PMID: 31529522, Database: MEDLINE Complete
2.
Li, Lu; Gow, Andrew Douglas Isherwood; Zhou, Jiaxian. (2020). The Role of Positive Emotions in Education: A Neuroscience Perspective. Mind, Brain, and Education, v14 n3 p220-234 Aug. (EJ1263608), Database: ERICSuitable for English stream
3.
Rockstroh BS; McTeague LM. (2020). Psychophysiological approaches to understanding the impact of trauma exposure. Psychophysiology [Psychophysiology]. Jan; Vol. 57 (1), pp. e13497; Publisher: Blackwell; PMID: 31833088, Database: MEDLINE Complete
4.
Gendolla, GHE, (2017). The psychophysiology of motivation: Body and brain in action. International Journal Of Psychophysiology: Official Journal Of The International Organization Of Psychophysiology. Vol. 119, pp.1-3; Publisher: Elsevier; PMID: 2855479