PSY 320: Psychology of Drugs and Behavior

This video explores how sensory receptors neurotransmitters and various brain structures work together to detect and react to pain all within a fraction of a second. Dive deep into the role of the sensory cortex spinal cord thalamus amygdala and endocrine system in our immediate and automatic response to potential harm.

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.

Explore the tenets of deism, a philosophical perspective from the Enlightenment that emphasizes belief in a creator who doesn't intervene in the universe's affairs. Delve into its rise alongside scientific inquiry and its influential proponents, such as Paine, Jefferson, and Franklin.

Explore the divisions of the nervous system and discover which one is responsible for the startle response. Learn about the roles of the parasympathetic, central, somatic, sympathetic, and autonomic systems in our body's functioning.

Explore the life and work of Abraham Harold Maslow, a pivotal figure in American psychology. Delve into Maslow's groundbreaking Hierarchy of Needs, a model prioritizing human needs from basic physiological necessities to self-actualization. Understand the significance of satisfying lower-level needs before addressing higher ones.

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.