Psychophysiology

Code:

P200

Acronym:

PSICOF

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Behavior Biology

Instance: 2020/2021 - 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	162	Official Curricular Structure	2	-	3	30	81

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The main objective is that the students become able to think of behavior in terms of its psychophysiological regulations, the syllabus is organized on 3 parts:

1. primary regulation of behavior;

2. regulation of the interaction with the environment;

3. autopoietic regulation of processes.

To this end, the contents are organized according tothe functional anatomical hierarchy of the brain and nervous system, considering the ontogenesis and phylogenesis of these structures, and are exposed as follows:

1. phylogenetically conserved structures and the of primary regulation of behavior;

2. the role of subcortical structures in the interaction with the environment;

3. the role of cortical structures on cognition and autopoietic regulation.

Additionally, throughout the program there is always the concern to integrate this psychophysiological perspective in the general syllabus of the master.

Learning outcomes and competences

At the end of this course, students must be able to understand behavior by means of the main psychophysiological concepts and framework. The main objectives are the understanding and explanation of the main processes that regulate behavior, mainly those involved in the primary regulation of behavior, in the regulatory interactions between brain and environment, and in self-regulatory processes (i.e., motivation - emotions - cognitions). 

All of these incomes will be framed in the context of the 1st cycle curriculum.

Working method

Presencial

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

Previous approval in Neurosciencies is mandatory in order to enroll in this course.

Program

The syllabus begins with an Epistemological introduction to psychophysiology.

Then, biopsychological transitions of the several behavioral regulations are explained:

1. primary regulation of behavior (primary motivations);

2. affective regulation of brain-milieu interactions processes (emotions);

3. cognitive brain and self-regulation and creativity (language, abstraction and new action programs).

Mandatory literature

Pinel John P. J.; Biopsicologia. ISBN: 85-363-0338-7
Cacioppo John T. 340; Handbook of psychophysiology. ISBN: 978-0-521-84471-0
Rolls Edmund T.; The^brain and emotion. ISBN: 0-19-852463-3
Swanson Larry W.; Brain architecture. ISBN: 0-19-510505-2
Kolb Bryan; Neurociência do comportamento. ISBN: 85-204-1392-7

Complementary Bibliography

Diamond M. C.; El^cerebro humano. ISBN: 978-84-344-0866-1

Comments from the literature

The specific bibliography of each class will be provided with the summaries, as well as a Manual of Psychophysiology written by the teachers to support the study.

Teaching methods and learning activities

Plenary lectures. Evaluation is conducted via a final exam.

Software

Nenhum

keywords

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

Evaluation Type

Evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

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

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	54,00
Frequência das aulas	27,00
Total:	81,00

Eligibility for exams

Free attendance to the lectures.

Calculation formula of final grade

Grade in the final examination (approval requires a minimum grade of 10 in 20 values).
If the average grade is lower than 10, a correction will be applied to the grades, using the Standard Error of Measurement.

Examinations or Special Assignments

None.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

None

Classification improvement

Students can sign up for grade improvement only once, until the appeal exam immediately after the student's approval, in which examination is provided for the subject.

Observations

As long as the pandemic situation is maintained, classes will be held at a distance, in asynchronous and synchronous mode. The evaluation will be carried out in person.