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Course Criteria
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3.00 Credits
08F: 2A The goal of this course is to develop an understanding of what consciousness is, and how it comes into existence through the activity of neurons in the nervous system. We will be focusing on the ancient mind/body problem, but will bring the new tools of modern neuroscience to bear on this age old puzzle. The puzzle is this: Neurons are publicly observable entities; yet the subjective experience that their activity gives rise to is not publicly observable. Indeed, subjective experience appears to have properties that do not seem to be inherent to matter, such as redness, painfulness, and other 'qualia.' The puzzle is how seemingly different classes of events, one mental and the other physical, can both be realized in one and the same neuronal events. We will begin by focusing on some of the philosophical issues. We will then increasingly focus on the neuronal basis of subjective experience in light of the recent findings of modern neuroscience. Permission of instructor. Tse.
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3.00 Credits
The topic areas for seminars may change from year to year. Course descriptions of seminars are available from the Psychology Department office and on the Department website. Enrollment in seminars is limited and by permission only (see the electronic enrollment procedures on the Department website). Enrollment priority is established by the professor. Permission may be obtained during the enrollment period for permission courses that begins during the first two weeks in May. Further information may be obtained at the Department office or web page.
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3.00 Credits
09S: 2A A unitary sense of self that exists across time and place is a central feature of human experience. Understanding the nature of self-what it is and what is does-has challenged scholars for many centuries. Although most people intuitively understand what is meant by the term self, definitions have tended toward the philosophical and metaphysical. Efforts at creating more formal definitions have largely been unsuccessful, as many features of self are empirically murky, difficult to identify and assess using objective methods. Yet the phenomenological experience of self is highly familiar to everyone. So, at issue is not whether the self exists, but how best to study it. This course will survey contemporary approaches to understanding the self, with a strong emphasis on approaches from social psychology. We will consider self's development, its cognitive and affective components, motives related to it, and how it is regulated. We will consider its functional basis, examining both its adaptive and maladaptive consequences. We will also examine its neurological basis including case studies of people with disorders of self. Permission of instructor. Heatherton
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3.00 Credits
09S: 10A This seminar will consider the nature and nurture of mental abilities, the different kinds of these, both general and special, and their social and economic implications. It will also examine abilities at the level of giftedness, particularly the meaning and development of giftedness in its many forms; and non-intellectual aspects of personality and temperament that contribute to high achievement. Permission of instructor. Elliott.
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3.00 Credits
09W: 2A The goal of this course is to develop an understanding of how we came to exist as a species. In particular, this course will focus on how the human mind/brain came to be what it is today. Many traits and abilities set us apart from other animals. Some of what makes us human are mere differences in degree while others are differences in kind. Although there are many physical differences, the main differences that set us apart from the rest of the animal world are mental in nature. Among these differences are the existence of extensive symbolic processing, syntactic processing (language), humor, dance, music, the extent of tool use, and the wearing of clothing. Some physical traits that are highly unusual are near-hairlessness, bipedality, hidden ovulation, menopause (just us and pilot whales!), and a strong prevalence of right-handedness. There are also some other puzzling things that need explanation, such as the existence of homosexuality and schizophrenia, when the genes that may underlie a propensity for such outcomes should have a relatively low probability of propagation. We shall examine evidence from all quarters that will help us understand the course of our mind/brain evolution. Permission of instructor. Tse.
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3.00 Credits
09S: 10A What issues surround drug abuse Why do people risk infection, homelessness, unemployment, family and death for a shot of heroin A drink We will explore the physiological, psychological, behavioral and sociological aspects of drug addiction. Some topics we will discuss are: the effects of drugs of abuse on the brain and behavior, prevention and treatment strategies, the war on drugs, medical use of abused substances, and environmental factors that contribute to drug abuse. Prerequisites: Psychology 26 or Psychology 50 (Drugs and Behavior) or permission of instructor. Robinson.
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3.00 Credits
08F: 10A One of the continuing discussions of our era is whether differences between individuals can be attributed to inherent characteristics or to environmental influences, in other words, the nature-nurture debate. We will examine writings representing the spectrum of arguments, particularly those taking modern combinatorial or interactionist positions. Analyses of both animal and human behaviors will be included. Students will select a particular behavioral domain of interest to them and review current information about the sources of variation in that behavior. Permission of instructor. Cramer.
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3.00 Credits
All terms: Arrange This course is designed to enable qualified students to engage in independent laboratory or field research under the direction of a PBS faculty member. Students may take one to three terms of Independent Research. No more than two terms of 88, 89, or a combination of 88s and 89s may count toward the eight required courses for the major. This course may not be used to fulfill the upper-level (60 or above) major requirement. Prerequisite: Psychology 1 or 6, 10 and 11. Enrollment is via the department website along with written permission from the advisor, and then written permission from the Chair of the Undergraduate Committee using the appropriate Checklist. The staff.
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3.00 Credits
All terms: Arrange This course is designed to enable especially qualified Psychology majors, usually seniors, to engage in independent laboratory or field research under the direction of a faculty member. Students may take two or three terms of Honors Research, but no more than two terms of 88, 89, or a combination of 88s and 89s may count toward the eight required courses for the major. This course may not be used to fulfill the upper-level (60 or above) major requirement. A student must have a minimum grade point average of 3.30 in the major and 3.00 overall to enroll and must enroll before the end of the fall term of their senior year. Honors theses will be evaluated by a two-person Thesis Committee approved by the Undergraduate Committee. Thesis Committee members must be identified prior to the student signing up for Psychology 89. The Thesis Committee must include a regular member of the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences faculty. The other individual, if not a regular member of PBS, must have an active academic appointment (e.g., Research Associate, Research Assistant Professor, Medical School Faculty, Faculty in other departments of the College, for instance). Either Committee member may serve as the primary advisor. The two members of the Thesis Committee may not be in the same laboratory. The Thesis Committee will read and evaluate the thesis and make recommendations to the Undergraduate Committee regarding the awarding of Honors or High Honors. In addition, all Honors students will present their work in a departmental symposium at the conclusion of the spring term. The Thesis Committee will also recommend in writing meritorious students to the Undergraduate Committee for consideration for the various departmental prizes. Two terms of this course are required of those who seek to graduate with Honors in Psychology. Prerequisite: Psychology 1 or 6, 10 and 11. A 60 level course is strongly recommended. Under unusual circumstances students may petition to take Psychology 11 concurrently with the first term of Psychology 89. Students should check well in advance with their faculty advisor for additional prerequisites. Enrollment is via the Department website along with written permission from the advisor, and then written permission from the Chair of the Undergraduate Committee using the appropriate Checklist. The staff.
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3.00 Credits
All terms: Arrange This course is designed to enable students to engage in independent laboratory research under the direction of a neuroscience faculty member. Students may take up to two terms of independent research. Students are required to write a final report of their research. Prerequisite: Psychology 6 or Biology 34 and Psychology 10 or Biology 29. Enrollment is via the Department website along with written permission from the advisor, and then written permission from the Chair of the Neuroscience Steering Committee. The staff.
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