PSYC 460: Ethology and Compar. PSYC

Discover the intricate details of circadian rhythms and their role in the sleep-wake cycle. Analyze different phenomena, from body temperature fluctuations to the full moon, to identify true examples. Enhance your understanding of our body's internal clock and its impact on well-being.

Explore the concept of attributing behaviors to internal characteristics versus external situations. Understand how we often lean towards dispositional attributions, even when external factors are significant. Discover the essence of correspondence bias and its role in our daily interpretations.

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.

Unpack the concept of CER, or Conditioned Emotional Response, in psychology. It signifies an emotional reaction stemming from classical conditioning, linking neutral stimuli with significant emotional events. Examples include fears developed after traumatic experiences.

Explore the concept of social traps, exemplified by the Tragedy of the Commons and its real-world implications like overfishing. Delve into mirror-image perceptions in scenarios such as sports rivalries and international conflicts, uncovering the root causes of negative stereotypes and hostilities. Discover the importance of fostering communication, empathy, and cooperation to break the cycle of negativity in various contexts.

Egocentrism, a cognitive bias, causes individuals to prioritize their perspectives, influencing decisions and interactions. Using relatable scenarios with college students and vacation planning, we examine how egocentrism operates and ways to challenge this bias through empathy and perspective-taking.