PSY 4696: Capstone: Nature vs. Nurture

Explore the fascinating history of psychology, from its ancient roots in Greek, Egyptian, and Chinese thought to modern neuroscience. Join us on a journey through the groundbreaking theories and experiments of pioneers like Freud, Jung, Watson, and Maslow. Discover how psychology has evolved into a diverse field that continues to unravel the complexities of the human mind 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.

Uncover the marvels of cognitive neural prosthetics and their brain integration. Learn how these advanced brain-computer interfaces can translate user intentions. See their revolutionary role in assisting motor functions.

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 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 the unique perspective of accomplished author and professor Heather Sellers as she shares her journey with prosopagnosia, a condition that highlights the distinction between sensation and perception. Discover how her fully functional sensory organs contrast with impaired cognitive processes, shedding light on the intricate relationship between sensing and interpreting the world around us.