Laboratory Practice Neuropsychophysiology

Code:

LPSI316

Acronym:

PLNEUR

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Psychology

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	44	Official Curricular Structure	3	-	3	27	81

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The general objective of this subject is to provide students with the knowledge and skills that allow them, on the one hand, to understand the usefulness of using physiological and neurophysiological indices for the study of cognitive or affective processes and, on the other hand, to acquire the basic technical skills to conduct laboratory research using such indices.
More specifically, the objectives are:

1. to provide key notions regarding research using physiological and neurophysiological signals;

2. to enable students to describe the general characteristics of neuropsychophysiological studies, as well as the phases involved in the acquisition of the respective indices;

3. to provide knowledge about the laboratory techniques of neuropsychophysiology;

4. to train the students to identify the psychological variables that can be investigated from physiological and neurophysiological signals, as well as the neurobiological bases of these signals;

5. to train students in the techniques of acquisition, processing and analysis of physiological and neurophysiological signals.

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 in Introduction to Neurosciences and Cognitive and Affective Neurosciences 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

Castellar, J. V.; Una introducción a la Psicofisiología Clínica (2ª ed.), Ed. Pirámide, 2009. ISBN: 9788436823004
Luck Steven J.; An^introduction to the event-related potential technique. ISBN: 978-0-262-52585-5
Carretié Aranguena Luis; Psicofisiología. ISBN: 978-84-368-1618-1
Cacioppo John T. 340; Handbook of psychophysiology. ISBN: 978-0-521-84471-0

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

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 (http://www.biopac.com/education/)

keywords

Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology > Behavioural biology
Health sciences > Neuroscience > Neurophysiology
Social sciences > Psychological sciences > Psychology > Experimental psychology
Health sciences > Neuroscience
Technological sciences > Technology > Computer technology > Signal processing

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)
Estudo autónomo	54,00
Frequência das aulas	27,00
Total:	81,00

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, where students must show theoretical and practice skills.

If a student is absent or has a score below 8 in one of the tests, 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 of theoretical and practice skills, 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 improve the final classification by retaking the course in the year that follows the one in which approval was obtained, if the course is offered in the year in which the improvement is requested.