Laboratory Practice Neuropsychophysiology

Code:

P205

Acronym:

PL

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Scientific Research Methodology

Instance: 2015/2016 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Psychology
Course/CS Responsible:	Integrated Master Psychology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIPSI	8	Official Curricular Structure	3	-	3	30	81

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The objectives of this course are to enable students to:

1. show key-knowledge about psychophysiological research methods;
2. describe the general characteristics of the psychophysiological and neuropsychophysiological research, as well as the phases of the acquisition of the respective indexes;
3. define the concepts of psychophysiological and neuropsychophysiological techniques, indexes, acquisition, amplification, modulation, filtering, recording, and analysis;
4. recognize variables that can be studied from physiological and neurophysiological activity, as well as the (neuro)physiologic bases of the signals in question;
5. know and put into practice the polygraphic and electrophysiologic procedures for the recording of electroencephalography (EEG), event-related potentials (ERP), and brain electrical activity mapping (BEAM), manipulating Independent Variables, analyzing data, and interpreting results according to neuroscientific models.

Learning outcomes and competences

At the end of this course the students must be capable of:

1. showing key-knowledge about psychophysiological research methods;


2. describing the general characteristics of the psychophysiological and neuropsychophysiological research, as well as the phases of the acquisition of the respective indexes;


3. defining the concepts of psychophysiological and neuropsychophysiological techniques, indexes, acquisition, amplification, modulation, filtering, recording, and analysis;


4. recognizing variables that can be studied from physiological and neurophysiological activity, as well as the (neuro)physiologic bases of the signals in question;


5. knowing and put into practice the polygraphic and electrophysiologic procedures for the recording of EEG, ERP and BEAM, manipulating Independent Variables, analyzing data and interpreting results according to neuroscientific models.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Previous approval at Neurosciences and Psychophysiology courses is recommended.

Program

The syllabus is organized in two thematic modules:

• Module I 
- Conceptual and methodological frame




• conceptual framework of the laboratorial practice in neuropsychophysiology;


• methodological framework of the laboratorial practice in neuropsychophysiology;




• Module II
- practical training




• polygraphy - practical research in psychophysiology using peripheral indexes (Heart Rate, Skin Conductance Response);


• EEG, ERP, and BEAM - practical research in psychophysiology using Central Nervous System indexes.

Mandatory literature

Luck Steven J.; An^introduction to the event-related potencial technique. ISBN: 978-0-262-62196-0
Cacioppo, J. T., Tassinary, L. G., & Berntson, G. ; Handbook of Psychophysiology (3rd ed.), Cambridge: Cambridge University Press., 2007. ISBN: 9780521844710
Araguena, L. C.; Psicofisiología, Madrid: Ed. Pirâmide., 2001. ISBN: 9788436816181
Castellar, J.; Una introducción a la Psicofisiologia Clinica , Madrid: Ed. Pirâmide., 2009. ISBN: 9788436823004

Complementary Bibliography

Andreassi John L.; Psychophysiology. ISBN: 0-8058-1104-4
Cacioppo John T. 340; Principles of psychophysiology. ISBN: 0-521-34432-8
Hugdahl Kenneth; Psychophysiology. ISBN: 0-674-72207-8
Aranguena, L. & Dorado, J.; Psicofisiologia: Fundamentos Metodológicos, Madrid: Ed. Pirâmide., 2007. ISBN: 9788436808773

Teaching methods and learning activities

Besides independent study and tutorial support when requested by the student, classes are theoretical, theoretical with practice, and laboratorial practices, organized under the following pedagogical models:

1. plenary lectures;


2. accompanied study and/or study based on multimedia resources;


3. literature search and reviews;


4. problem discussion;


5. demonstrations and experiments (including data treatment, analysis and interpretation);


6. individual evaluation of knowledge and skills, at the end of each module.

Software

Biopac Student Lab

keywords

Social sciences > Psychological sciences > Psychology > Experimental psychology
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology > Behavioural biology
Health sciences > Neuroscience > Neurophysiology
Health sciences > Neuroscience

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Teste	100,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Frequência das aulas	13,00
Trabalho laboratorial	14,00
Total:	27,00

Eligibility for exams

In order to get approved, students must attend to 75% of the classes, at least. A minimal written test score of 8 points is required in each of the tests. If a student is absent or has a score below 8 in any of the tests, he/she will have access to a final test, which will be scheduled specifically with the students, predictably in the last week of classes.

Calculation formula of final grade

Individual assessment consists of two tests, one at the end of each module, both scored in a zero to 20 scale. The final classification (FC) is the integer result of the arithmetic mean of the scores obtained in the two tests, i.e. FC = (T1 + T2) / 2. To be approved students require a final classification equal or greater than 10 and, cumulatively, to have obtained a score of at least 8 in each of the tests.

Examinations or Special Assignments

No special assessments are foreseen.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Students who also have jobs must submit to the same written test assessments, at the same dates that are planned for the general students (last class at the end of each module). A different schedule may be negotiated, but must be requested through letter or email to the teacher, at least 48 hours in advance.

Classification improvement

Students may request new assessments for the purpose of improving the final classification in the year that follows the one in which approval was obtained.

Observations

Students who obtain a score lower than 8 points in any of the tests or a final classification lower than 9.5 points, will have access to an appeal written examination, at a date and time to be communicated.