PSY 356: Abnormal Psychology

Developmental psychology explores human development from infancy to old age, addressing core issues of Nature versus Nurture, Continuity versus Discontinuity, and Stability versus Change, offering vital insights for education, parenting, and interventions.

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.

Discover the powerful role of conformity in shaping human behavior. Through relatable scenarios, learn how our choices can be influenced by peer pressure and societal expectations. Understand the balance between adapting to social norms and preserving individuality.

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.

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.

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.