PSYC 3090: Psychology of Adult Development and Aging

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.

Explore the life and work of Abraham Harold Maslow, a pivotal figure in American psychology. Delve into Maslow's groundbreaking Hierarchy of Needs, a model prioritizing human needs from basic physiological necessities to self-actualization. Understand the significance of satisfying lower-level needs before addressing higher ones.

Explore different psychological schools and their approaches to introspection, from Darwinism and Empiricism to Structuralism and Behaviorism. Discover which school used self-reflective introspection to understand the elements of human experience.

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.

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.

Explore the diverse techniques in medical imaging for visualizing brain structures. From CT scans and MRIs to PET scans and EEGs, understand their specific roles and applications. Grasp how these non-invasive tools assist in diagnostics and treatment planning.