PSY 425: Psychobiology

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 Hans Selye's groundbreaking General Adaptation Syndrome, detailing the body's three-stage response to stress. Learn about the physiological reactions in each stage, from alarm to exhaustion. Grasp the importance of managing chronic stress and its potential health implications.

Examine the concepts of groupthink and group polarization in group decision-making. Learn how the drive for harmony can overshadow critical thought, and how group discussions can intensify biases. Discover ways to maintain diverse thought and prevent extreme views.

Discover how texture gradients shape our depth perception both indoors and outdoors. Explore how various environmental patterns provide depth cues. Understand the blend of Gestalt principles and depth cues in shaping our visual experience.

Explore key terms related to unselfish concern for others' well-being. Understand the nuances between altruism, bystander intervention, and assuming responsibility. Conclude with the definitive answer to the concept embodying selfless concern.

Discover various psychological interpretations of dreams, from Freud's repressed desires to cognitive processes. Learn about the activation-synthesis model that attributes dreams to random neural activity. Understand how the mind crafts narratives from seemingly random dream sequences.