Introduction to Biopsychology (Theory)

Paper Code: 
25CPSY 113
Credits: 
04
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

The course will familiarize students with the basics of biological bases of behaviour including psychophysiology and behaviour genetics.

 

Course Outcomes: 

Course

Course Outcomes

Learning and teaching

strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

25CPSY113

Introduction

CO11:    Understand

Approach            in

Class      test,

 

to

the        fundamental

teaching:

Semester end

 

Biopsychology

physiological

Interactive

examinations,

 

(Theory)

processes,   historical development       and

Lectures, Discussion, Reading

Quiz, Assignments,

 

 

scientific      methods

assignments, Team

Individual

 

 

underlying      human

teaching

and      group

 

 

behaviour.

Learning

presentation

 

 

CO12:   Explain   the

activities for the

 

 

 

principles   of   nerve

students:

 

 

 

cell functioning.

Self-learning

 

 

 

CO13:    Understand

assignments,

 

 

 

the   role   of  central

Effective questions,

 

 

 

nervous   system   in

Seminar

 

 

 

governing       human

presentation, Giving

 

 

 

behaviour.

tasks

 

 

 

CO14:         Develop

 

 

 

 

awareness about the

 

 

 

 

role    of    peripheral

 

 

 

 

nervous   system   in

 

 

 

 

human body.

 

 

 

 

CO15:  Identify  the

 

 

 

 

role      of      various

 

 

 

 

endocrinal glands in

 

 

 

 

bodily functioning.

 

 

 

 

CO16:      Contribute

 

 

 

 

effectively in course-

 

 

 

 

specific interaction.

 

 

 

12.00
Unit I: 
Introduction to Biopsychology

Nature and Scope; Approaches; Techniques for Studying Brain Functions-Ablation, Static Images-CT Scan and MRI, Recording Nervous System Activity- Electrical Recording, PET, fMRI, Measuring Chemical Activity- Autoradiography & Microdialysis

12.00
Unit II: 
Nerve Physiology:

Structure and Functions of Neurons; Types (on the basis of their structure & function); Neural Conduction – Electrical and Synaptic Transmission; Neurotransmitters- Characteristics and Functions

12.00
Unit III: 
Organization of Nervous System:

CNS: Brain and Spinal Cord-Structure and Functions;

PNS: Autonomic Nervous System and Somatic Nervous System- Structure and Functions

12.00
Unit IV: 
Hormonal Regulation of Behavior:

Endocrine System; Difference between Endocrine and Exocrine System; Functions and Abnormalities of Major Endocrine Glands-Pituitary, Thyroid, Adrenal, Pancreas, Gonad, Pineal

12.00
Unit V: 
Sleep and Arousal:

Sleep stages; Disorders of Sleep; Brain areas  responsible  for  sleep&  arousal;  Theories  of  Sleep; Circadian Rhythms; Neural Control of Circadian Rhythms

Essential Readings: 
  • Klein,S.B., &Thorne,M.B. (2006).Biological Psychology.NewYork:Worth Publishers.
  • Leukel, F. (1985). Introduction to Physiological Psychology. New Delhi: C.B.S. Publishers and Distributors.
  • Levinthal, C.F. (1996). Introduction to Physiological Psychology. (3rded). Prentice Hall.
  • Morgan, C.T. (1965). Physiological Psychology. New York: McGraw Hill Inc.
  • Rosenzweig, M.R. &Lieman, A.R. (1982). Physiological Psychology. D.C. Health and Co. Lexington.

Suggested Readings:

  • Barrett, L. (2011). Beyond the Brain: How Body and Environment Shape Animal and Human Minds. Princeton University Press. EISBN: 978-1-40083-834-9. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/j.ctt7rvqf
  • Morgan, C.T. & Stellar, E. (1950). Physiological Psychology. New York: McGraw Hill Inc.
  • Pinel, J.P.J. (2000). Biopsychology. Allyn and Bacon.
  • Plomin, R.,DeFries, J.C., &McClearn, G.E. (2000). Behavioral Genetics. W.H.:Freeman and Co.
  • Wegner, M.A., Jones, F.N. & Jones, M.H. (1956). Physiological Psychology. New York: Henry Holt.
  • Zillmer, E., & Spiers, M.(2001). Principles of Neuropsychology. Australia: Wadsworth, Thomson Learning.

E Resources:

  • Understanding the Brain: The Neurobiology of Everyday Life: A course offered by University          of          Chicago          on          Coursera.          Access                       via: https://www.coursera.org/learn/neurobiology
  • Bogdan, R., & Taylor, S. J. (1982). Inside Out: Two First-person accounts of what it means to be labelled "Mentally Retarded". University of Toronto Press. EISBN: 978-0- 81315-877-8. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/j.ctt130jbbk
  • Goldstein, J. (2010). Hysteria Complicated by Ecstasy: The Case of Nanette Leroux. Princeton            University            Press.            EISBN: 978-1-40083-3719. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/j.ctt4cgcrt
  • Greenfield, S. (1996). The Human Mind Explained. London: Castle Publishers Ltd.

 

Academic Year: 
2025-2026
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