PSY 594: Independent Study

Uncover the role of teratogens in fetal development with a focus on alcohol's impact. Understand the critical function of the placenta and how certain substances can bypass this protective barrier, potentially harming the fetus. Grasp the risks and implications of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Discover how perception shapes experiences through the concepts of absolute and difference thresholds. Understand Marisol's ski trip sensations in terms of these psychological phenomena. Learn how individual factors can create unique perceptual moments.

Explore persuasion techniques such as Door-in-the-face, Foot-in-the-door, That's-not-all, and Not-so-free sample, commonly used in psychology, marketing, and sales, where only Foot-in-the-door initiates with a small request to enhance compliance with a larger one later based on the consistency principle.

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.

Discover the intricate role neurotransmitters play in the brain. Understand how drugs influence these chemical messengers, from agonists to enzyme inhibitors. A deep insight into the neuroscience of mood, cognition, and behavior.

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.