Learn about the Mind/Body Connection

Biopsychology brings together biology and psychology. Understanding where the physical structures in the brain are located and how they are involved in the way we experience the world around us is the goal of this course.

Graduates will learn about how messages are transmitted inside the brain and body, the role of chemicals and hormones, and the detection and interpretation of sensory information. This type of knowledge helps students to piece together their understanding of other areas of psychology.

Develop another perspective for counselling, managing or interacting with people, or simply broaden your understanding of who we are as people and satisfy your intellectual curiosity by studying this course.

Course Structure:

There are eight lessons in this module as follows:

1. Introduction
   Types of external and internal stimuli, mind-body debate, introduction to the nervous system.
2. The senses
   Sensory input, sensory perception, description of the major senses.
3. The Nervous System
   Description of the neurons, the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, including the autonomic nervous system.
4. The Endocrine System
   Effect of hormones on behaviour and physiology, association of endocrine system and nervous system, connection between external and internal stimuli.
5. Stress
   Types of stressors, physical affects of stress, personality & stress.
6. Emotions
   Homeostasis, eating disorders, physiological responses to emotions, theories of emotion.
7. Consciousness
   Degrees of consciousness, awareness & attention, altered states of consciousness.

Duration:  100 hours

Comment from one of our Psychology Students:

"I thoroughly enjoyed the course and found ACS to be wonderful in all aspects"   D. Kenyon, ACS Biopsychology student

• Describe the nature & scope of biopsychology
• Explain how different people can perceive the same stimulus in different ways, due to biological differences between them.
• Explain how the condition and functioning of the nervous system can affect the psychology of an individual.
• Explain how the condition and functioning of the endocrine system can affect the psychology of an individual.
• Describe the relationship between psychological stress and the physical response of the body.
• Discuss the relationship between emotions and the physical nature of the body.
• Discuss the relationship between consciousness and the physical nature of the body.
• Discuss the relationship between consciousness and the physical nature of the body.

Examples of what you may do in this course

• What is meant by the mind/body debate?  Briefly summarize the theories that have been used to try to understand this debate.
• What methods of study are used in biopsychology
  What is meant by the mind/body debate?  Briefly summarize the theories that have been used to try to understand this debate.
• What methods of study are used in biopsychology
  Explain the functioning of sensory and motor neurons.
• Explain the functioning of the cerebellum, the hypothalamus and the thalamus.
• Which brain structures are present in the limbic system, and what are their main functions?
• What are neurotransmitters?  Describe how dopamine, norepinephrine & epinephrine act as neurotransmitters.
• Briefly describe the effect of three psychoactive drugs on the CNS.
• Explain how the autonomic nervous system works in terms of its sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.  Why is it important to have a sympathetic nervous system? 

Example of Course Notes -
Excessive stress for an extended period at first will cause unpleasant feelings, but in due course, it can cause physical damage to the body, fatigue, and in extreme situations, ultimately death. Excessive stress that causes physical damage has been called dystress (by Syle). The Greek prefix “dys” means bad. Dystress literally means “bad stress”. Some stress is both inevitable, and in some respects, desirable. Dystress (or distress), however, is not desirable.

There are damaging effects to the human body caused by constant stress. Changes in the physiological processes that alter resistance to disease (e.g. blood chemistry changes) and pathological changes (e.g. organ system break down and ulcers) are both manifestations of stress. The body’s defence mechanisms may be affected both directly and indirectly (by promoting behaviours that weaken these mechanisms or that lead to exposure to pathogens).

Modern humans with their new technology, do less physical work, stimulate themselves when tired (television, food, alcohol), and eat when they are not hungry, etc. This actually goes against all natural feelings "signals from the brain". Humans are actually depriving themselves, and this is a major psychosocial cause of stress. Another psychosocial cause of stress is "adaption" overload where people are being faced by constant or rapid change whether it be social, cultural, technological, etc.

There are also biological causes of stress such as poor nutrition, and the effects of pollutants, drugs (e.g. alcohol, prescription and non‑ prescription drugs, tobacco, etc.) and loud noise on the body.

There are damaging effects to human bodies caused by such stress. These include reduced resistance to disease; pathological changes such as the development of ulcers, heart problems, etc. and emotional problems such as depression or aggressive behaviour.

It has been found that people under stress tend to drink more alcohol, eat less, exercise less, and smoke more (O’Leary, 1992) People under stress are more likely to suffer from headaches, depression, and other health problems such as sore throats, influenza and backaches (Cohen et. al., 1991).

How This Course Could Help You

This course helps to marry together different areas of psychology by providing a biological context of behaviour.

It may be studied by itself or as part of a certificate or higher level course. The course will be of most value to those with an interest in:

• Psychology
• Psychotherapy
• Teaching
• Research
• Biological sciences
• Health sciences
• Health professions