Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Psychophysiology
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English,
Teaching staff
Students will be able to clarify any doubts and queries at the end of each class, or request an appointment by sending an e-mail to Dr María Antonia Arbós Vía (maarbos@uic.es).
Introduction
Psychophysiology is a multidisciplinary area, within the scope of neurosciences, which tries to understand the physiological mechanisms of the organism that correlate with the psychological processes that accompany human behaviour. It is based on the dual premise that human perception, thought, emotion and action are embodied and embedded phenomena; and on the fact that the measurement of different processes, both of the brain as a physical substrate and of the body, contain information that can help us to understand the human mind. Its level of analysis is the body's transactions with the physical and socio-cultural environment, taking into account the neurobiological foundations. The subject is studied in the first year and is considered basic and compulsory within the UIC Degree in Psychology.
Objectives
The general aim is to offer the student of Psychology a broad introductory vision of the theoretical bases and the most relevant empirical investigations of the fundamental psychophysiological processes. The specific objectives focus on presenting: the conceptualization of psychophysiology; the main methodologies used; the basic psychophysiological variables (electrical activity of the skin, cardiovascular, muscular and cerebral activity); as well as the biological/neural bases of specific psychophysiological processes (attention, perception, memory, learning, language, thought and emotions). The subject is mostly oriented in a practical way, trying to select in each topic the most important application areas (clinical) and their implications. Our intention is that by the end of the course, students are able to properly understand and use the appropriate terminology related to psychophysiology in a critical and reflective manner, and also to demonstrate some specific knowledge.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CB01 - Students must demonstrate that they have and understand knowledge in an area of study that is based on general secondary education, and it tends to be found at a level that, although it is based on advanced textbooks, also includes some aspects that involve knowledge from the cutting-edge of their field of study.
- CB03 - Students must have the ability to bring together and interpret significant data (normally within their area of study) to issue judgements that include a reflection on significant issues of a social, scientific and ethical nature.
- CB04 - That students can transmit information, ideas, problems and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- CB05 - That students have developed the necessary learning skills to undertake subsequent studies with a high degree of autonomy.
- CE19 - To be aware of the principles of biomedical science related to health and learn how to work in any field of Biomedical Sciences (biomedical companies, bioinformatics laboratories, research laboratories, clinical analysis companies, etc.).
- CG07 - To incorporate basic concepts related to the field of biomedicine both at a theoretical and an experimental level.
- CG10 - To design, write up and execute projects connected to the field of Biomedical Sciences.
- CG11 - To be aware of basic concepts from different fields connected to biomedical sciences.
- CT01 - To develop the organisational and planning skills that are suitable in each moment.
- CT02 - To develop the ability to resolve problems.
- CT03 - To develop analytical and summarising skills.
- CT04 - To interpret experimental results and identify consistent and inconsistent elements.
- CT05 - To use the internet as a means of communication and a source of information.
- CT06 - To know how to communicate, give presentations and write up scientific reports.
- CT07 - To be capable of working in a team.
- CT08 - To reason and evaluate situations and results from a critical and constructive point of view.
- CT09 - To have the ability to develop interpersonal skills.
- CT10 - To be capable of autonomous learning.
- CT11 - To apply theoretical knowledge to practice.
- CT12 - To apply scientific method.
- CT13 - To be aware of the general and specific aspects related to the field of nutrition and ageing.
- CT14 - To respect the fundamental rights of equality between men and women, and the promotion of human rights and the values that are specific to a culture of peace and democratic values.
Learning outcomes of the subject
Knowledge related
- The student is able to recognise the place of psychophysiology in relation to the explanation of human behaviour and cognition, taking into account the complex reality of the human being.
- The student knows how to identify the main study methods used in the field of psychophysiology.
- The student knows how to recognise what attention is; how to identify its main anatomical and functional bases; and how to describe the main fields of application of the study of attention.
- The student knows how to recognise the perceptive process and its importance for the cognitive system; knows how to evaluate the complexity of the phenomena involved in the perceptive processes at the anatomical and functional level, as well as their interrelation with other processes such as emotions; and knows how to identify the main fields of application of the study of perception.
- The student knows how to recognise what memory is and its complexity, as well as its function in human behaviour; how to identify the main characteristics of the memory systems at the anatomical and functional level; and how to describe the main fields of application of the study of memory.
- The student understands the physiological basis of learning, with special emphasis on the concepts of brain plasticity and synaptic plasticity, and knows the main fields of application of the study of learning.
- The student knows how to identify the anatomical and physiological bases involved in the production, understanding, and acquisition of language; and knows the main fields of application of the study of language.
- The student knows how to recognise the concept of executive functions, anatomical bases and functional aspects; knows the neural bases of social cognition; and identifies the main fields of application of the study of thought and social cognition.
- The student knows how to identify what emotion is and what emotional phenomena are; how to synthesize the physiological characterization of emotions and their interaction with other psychological processes; and how to describe the main fields of application of the study of emotions.
Related to skills and abilities
- The student knows how to search, select and manage specialised information using different technologies and sources of information.
- The student knows how to extract the relevant information in a precise and concise manner.
- The student is able to think in an analytical and critical way.
- The student learns to work as part of a team.
- The student improves oral and written skills.
Syllabus
Chapter 1 Introduction to Psychophysiology
1.1 Conceptualization of psychophysiology
1.2 Brief historical and contextual evolution
1.3 Brain, neural networks, and brain dynamics
Chapter 2 Methods of study in Psychophysiology
2.1 Neuroimaging techniques
2.2 Stereotactic surgery and histological procedures
2.3 Techniques for recording neuronal activity
2.4 Neural activity stimulation techniques
2.5 Study of the nervous system through brain damage
2.6 Pharmacological techniques
2.7 Techniques for recording neuronal activity
2.8 Genetic techniques
2.9 Behavioural testing
Chapter 3 Attention
3.1 Concept
3.2 Neurophysiology of attention: brain regions involved
3.3 Chemical aspects of care
3.4 Correlats fisiològics de l'atenció
3.5 Attention and awareness
3.6 Fields of application
Chapter 4 Perception
4.1 Concept
4.2 Processes of perception: from stimulation to behaviour
4.3 Visceral perception and perception of physical symptoms
4.4 Neural mechanisms: capture, transformation and transduction of perception
4.5 Limits of sensory organs
4.6 Fields of application
Chapter 5 Memory
5.1 Concept
5.2 Memory systems
5.3 Sensory memory, working memory and long-term memory
5.4 Brain regions involved
5.5 Fields of application
Chapter 6 Learning
6.1 Concept
6.2 Brain plasticity and synaptic plasticity
6.3 Neural bases of learning
6.4 Laterality and communication
6.5 Fields of application
Chapter 7 Language
7.1 Concept
7.2 Neuroanatomical bases: production and understanding of language
7.3 Extracortical structures involved in language
7.4 Hemispheric specialization
7.5 Fields of application
Chapter 8 Thought
8.1 Concept
8.2 Biological aspects of human cognition
8.3 Neuroanatomical basis of executive functions
8.4 Neuroanatomical bases of numerical processing
8.5 Neural bases of social cognition
8.6 Fields of application
Chapter 9 Emotion
9.1 Concept
9.2 Innate nature of emotions
9.3 Physiological changes and their perception and emotional expression
9.4 Emotion and cognitive processes: anatomy and brain mechanisms of emotions
9.5 Biochemical aspects of emotions
9.6 Fields of application
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Directed Activities
- Master classes and proposal of issues to be discussed with the active participation of students.
- Viewing and discussing short videos or other media on the subject.
- Working sessions based on readings of texts and articles (in Catalan, Spanish or English), audiovisual materials, and problem-solving and reflections on issues related to the subject of study.
Autonomous Activities
- Thoughtful reading of the basic materials of the subject (content of the theoretical classes, manuals, articles of scientific journals).
- Consultation of complementary material (articles, websites, etc.).
- Study and memorization of basic concepts of the subject.
- Preparation of a portfolio and narrative record
TRAINING ACTIVITY |
METHODOLOGY |
EVALUATION SYSTEM |
Lectures will be the setting in which students will learn and use the terminology and linguistic structures related to the sphere of study, for the purpose of practising and developing oral and written communication skills and becoming familiar with the literature and instruction materials provided to better integrate the curricular content. |
This is the method whereby students work on their own. In each subject, the students will complete assignments that reflect their autonomous learning experience. The students will also prepare themselves for lifelong learning by learning to use educational materials and multimedia resources autonomously. This will be where they learn to self-regulate learning and develop their time management skills. |
A circuit with 12-20 stations in which the person being evaluated must carry out a series of tasks in a certain period of time. The format will vary and may include procedures with standardised patients, computerised cases, the evaluation of a test, the preparation of a report, the interpretation of test results, problem solving, etc., all of which make it possible to evaluate the students’ performance, skills and competences in a standardised manner. |
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
The evaluation consists of the following sections:
- 10% - Partial exam. Individual multiple-choice test. It includes all the subject matter taught up to the class before the test day.
- 50% - Final exam. Individual multiple-choice test. It includes all the subject matter taught during the course and the recommended contents in the bibliography. It is required to pass this test with a 5 in order to pass the subject.
- 40% - Portfolio and narrative record. The student must create 3 Portfolios and record evidence of his/her learning and improvement, and submit them on the dates indicated at the beginning of the term course. It is required to pass this test with a 5 in order to pass the subject.
Students who do not succeed, may be reevaluated by means of a multiple choice test including all the activities carried out during the term course. It is essential to pass this test with a 5 in order to pass the course. Students who have passed any of the parts (partial exam or portfolio) in the ordinary call will keep the mark for the extraordinary call.
Bibliography and resources
- Fisiología de la conducta. Carlson, Neil R. ISBN: 9788415552758. Editorial: Pearson, 2014, (11ª Edición).
- Fundamentos de Fisiología de la conducta. Carlson, Neil R.; Birkett, Melissa A. ISBN: 9788490356104. Editorial: Pearson, 2018, (12ª Edición).
- Neurociencia, Purves, Dale. EAN: 9788498357547. Editorial: Panamericana, 2016 (5ª Edición).
- Neurociencia Cognitiva, Redolar Ripoll, D. EAN: 9788498354089. Editorial: Panamericana, 2014.