APSB21005U Biological psychology and neuropsychology

Purpose and Content

Biological psychology and neuropsychology covers the (neuro)physiological, evolutional and developmental mechanisms that make up the foundation for our behaviour, experiences and thoughts as they appear in both healthy and pathological cases. Biological Psychology and Neuropsychology is mainly concerned with the basic biological mechanisms that are important to an understanding the function and anatomy of the central nervous system, and there is an emphasis on basic genetics and genetic factors in the development of normal as well as pathological processes within the neurobiological, psychiatric, neurological and neuropsychological areas. There is also an emphasis on the pre- and post-natal development of the nervous system. Within the pathological field, psychopathology (psychiatry) and neuropathology (neurology) and covered in the light of a biological and neurobiological perspective with an eye for psycho- and neurophamacology. Furthermore, the neural foundation for selected cognitive processes is covered – including sensation, perception, learning and memory. Finally, an array of neuroscientific methods are introduced, that are utillised within biological psychology. The subject element ensures a basic knowledge of biological psychological processes that are relevant to other psychological core subjects and disciplines, such as cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, personality psychology and clinical psychology.