Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience

Code:

LPSI209

Acronym:

NCA

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Behavior Biology

Instance: 2023/2024 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Psychology
Course/CS Responsible:	First degree in Psychology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
LPSIC	234	Official Curricular Structure	2	-	3	27	81

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Introduction to the domain of Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, an area that serves as an interface between Psychology and Neuroscience.

Learning outcomes and competences

At the end of this course, students are expected to:

1. understand the historical context, the theoretical foundations, and the technical and methodological advances that underlie the emergence and development of Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience;
2. know the mecanisms underlying the primary regulation of behavior;
3. know the neurobiological bases of the mais cognitive and affective processes;
4. be able to frame the contents within the curriculum of Psychology and to use them to reflect about behavior.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Introduction to Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience
1.1. Historical overview: from the Cognitive Revolution to Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience
1.2. The big conceptual questions on the relationship between brain and mind
1.3. Methods and techniques for studying brain function

2. Primary regulation of behavior and homeostasis:
2.1. Reflex regulation
2.2. Primary motivations

3. Neurobiological bases of cognitive and affective processes:
3.1. Sensory systems and Perception
3.2. Motor systems and Action
3.3. Memory: celular mechanisms and brain systems
3.4. Emotions
3.4.1. Theories of emotion in Psychology and Neuroscience
3.4.2. Emotional influence on other mental functions
3.4.3. Affective experience and emotional regulation
3.5. Decision Making
3.6. Executive Functions
3.7.  Social Cognition

Mandatory literature

Dale Purves; Principles of cognitive neuroscience. ISBN: 978-0-87893-573-4
Bryan Kolb; Fundamentals of human neuropsychology. ISBN: 978-1-4292-8295-6

Complementary Bibliography

John P. J. Pinel; Biopsychology. ISBN: 978-1-292-15847-1
John T. Cacioppo; Handbook of psychophysiology. ISBN: 978-0-521-84471-0
Jorge Armony; The Cambridge handbook of human affective neuroscience. ISBN: 978-0-521-17155-7

Teaching methods and learning activities

The course consists of theoretical lectures that consist of presentations of the contents (27h), complemented by autonomous work (estimated 54h) that allows a deeper understanding of the course topics. The student can access a resource center (Brain Study Support Center), equipped with neuroanatomical models and audiovisual materials, that provides a complement to classes. Additional study support materials are made available online through the Moodle platform (e.g., texts, slides, software, online resources).
Evaluation is done exclusively via a final exam.

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

A student will be approved if her final classification is equal to or greater than 9.5 points (out of 20).

Calculation formula of final grade

Final score corresponds to the exam score.