28AA-PSYC 7021: Cognition Across the Lifespan

Uncover the philosophical origins of nerve pathways and reflexes. Discover how René Descartes shaped our understanding of the body's automatic responses. Differentiate his contributions from other famous thinkers.

Unpack the different psychological perspectives on motivation, from biological drives to socio-cultural influences. Understand how internal and external factors shape our desire and commitment. Explore the roles of conscious and unconscious elements in motivating behavior.

Explore the intricacies of psychoanalysis and the significance of 'free association'. Understand how blocks in associations highlight resistance. A guide to the world of unconscious revelations in therapy.

Explore the unique perspective of accomplished author and professor Heather Sellers as she shares her journey with prosopagnosia, a condition that highlights the distinction between sensation and perception. Discover how her fully functional sensory organs contrast with impaired cognitive processes, shedding light on the intricate relationship between sensing and interpreting the world around us.

Explore the intriguing science behind superstitious behavior. Discover how accidental timing of rewards influences our beliefs and actions. From Pavlov's dogs to lucky shirts, uncover the psychology of coincidences and their effects on our actions.

Understand Freud's perspective on dreams as manifestations of unconscious desires and conflicts. Contrast this with the Neural Activation Theory, which links dreaming to random neural activity during REM sleep. Discuss the criticisms and nuances of both theories in modern psychology.