Overview
Linking neuroscience and psychology: how the brain drives behaviour and how behaviour affects the brain.
Biopsychology is the study of behaviour from a biological perspective. Consider: Why do we eat? Sleep? Get stressed? Have sex? These behaviours are driven by biological processes occurring in the nervous system, often in response to cues from the environment.
In this class we will combine the disciplines of neuroscience and psychology to build an appreciation of why - biologically - we do some of the things we do.
About this paper
| Paper title | Biopsychology |
|---|---|
| Subject | Psychology |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 2 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,173.30 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- PSYC 210 and PSYC 211 and PSYC 212
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music, Science
- Notes
- For Neuroscience students the prerequisite is PSYC211.
- Eligibility
Not applicable
- Contact
- More information link
- View more information on the Department of Psychology's website
- Teaching staff
Lecturer: Dr Owen Jones
- Paper Structure
This paper presents a survey of the following topics:
- History of biopsychology
- Hunger and eating
- Sleep
- Sex and gender
- Stress responses
- Emotional responses
- Learning and memory
- Clinical case studies
Each week's topic will be presented in lecture, and then, a short supplementary reading will be assigned. One week's reading may consist of a journal article while another week's reading may be a chapter from a popular science book. All readings will be accessible via Blackboard.
- Teaching Arrangements
Three 1-hour lectures per week.
Small in-class laboratory demonstrations, led by the lecturer, may occur within some of the lecture periods. There is not a separate laboratory/practical component for this paper.
Lecture attendance is a critical component of this paper as the majority of test and exam questions draw from material presented in-class.- Textbooks
Textbooks are not required for this paper.
As a reference text, students may wish to use Introduction to Biopsychology (10th or 11th edition, International edition), by John P.J. Pinel. Copies of this text are available on-reserve at the Science Library.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will develop:
- A foundational understanding of major topics in biopsychology
- An appreciation of how nature and nurture both contribute towards behaviour
- Recognition that there is a biological basis to normal and abnormal behavioural patterns
Timetable
Overview
Linking neuroscience and psychology: how the brain drives behaviour and how behaviour affects the brain.
Biopsychology is the study of behaviour from a biological perspective. Consider: Why do we eat? Sleep? Get stressed? Have sex? These behaviours are driven by biological processes occurring in the nervous system, often in response to cues from the environment.
In this class we will combine the disciplines of neuroscience and psychology to build an appreciation of why - biologically - we do some of the things we do.
About this paper
| Paper title | Biopsychology |
|---|---|
| Subject | Psychology |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 2 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2025 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- PSYC 210 and PSYC 211 and PSYC 212
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music, Science
- Notes
- For Neuroscience students the prerequisite is PSYC211.
- Eligibility
Not applicable
- Contact
- More information link
- View more information on the Department of Psychology's website
- Teaching staff
Lecturer: Dr Owen Jones
- Paper Structure
This paper presents a survey of the following topics:
- Introduction to Biopsychology
- Hunger and eating
- Sleep
- Sex and gender
- Stress responses
- Emotional responses
- Learning and memory
- Clinical case studies
- The future of Biopsychology
Each week's topic will be presented in lecture, and then, a short supplementary reading will be assigned. One week's reading may consist of a journal article while another week's reading may be a chapter from a popular science book. All readings will be accessible via Blackboard.
- Teaching Arrangements
Three 1-hour lectures per week.
Small in-class laboratory demonstrations, led by the lecturer, may occur within some of the lecture periods. There is not a separate laboratory/practical component for this paper.
Lecture attendance is a critical component of this paper as the majority of test and exam questions draw from material presented in-class. However, reading material is also heavily examined.
- Textbooks
Textbooks are not required for this paper.
As a reference text, students may wish to use Introduction to Biopsychology (10th or 11th edition, International edition), by John P.J. Pinel. Copies of this text are available on-reserve at the Science Library.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will develop:
- A foundational understanding of major topics in biopsychology
- An appreciation of how nature and nurture both contribute towards behaviour
- Recognition that there is a biological basis to normal and abnormal behavioural patterns