PSY 4499: Perspectives on Media/Culture

Discover the factors influencing the risk of major depression and bipolar disorder. Unpack the roles of genetic predisposition, family history, and life events in mental health. Learn why a biological family connection stands out as the most significant risk factor.

Discover the essential process of neural pruning in brain development, distinct from creating new connections, managing neural waste, or increasing brain weight. Uncover how this natural "clean-up" refines our neural network, making our brains more efficient in processing information. Explore the impact of neural pruning on cognitive growth and the interaction between genetics and environment in brain development.

Explore Lawrence Kohlberg's stages of moral development, tracing the progression from early childhood to adulthood. Understand the shifts from consequence-driven decisions to societal rule adherence, culminating in universal ethical principles. Discover how moral reasoning matures through life stages.

Explore the importance of the DSM-5 in psychology and psychiatry, serving as a comprehensive diagnostic tool. Understand its role in ensuring consistent diagnoses, guiding treatments, and its impact on research and insurance. Witness the DSM-5's evolving nature and its role in reducing stigma.

Explore the factors that shape human attraction, from inherent traits like appearance and personality to situational factors like proximity. Understand why we're often drawn to those who are similar or close to us. Discover how circumstances influence the dynamics of attraction.

Explore the essential role of the primary visual cortex, Area V1, in processing our visual world. Understand its location in the occipital lobe and its interactions with structures like the thalamus. Uncover the intricate stages that make vision possible.