Behaviour and the Brain part 2: Attention

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Course Description

  • Course Name

    Behaviour and the Brain part 2: Attention

  • Host University

    Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

  • Location

    Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  • Area of Study

    Behavioral Science, Psychology

  • Language Level

    Taught In English

  • Course Level Recommendations

    Upper

    ISA offers course level recommendations in an effort to facilitate the determination of course levels by credential evaluators.We advice each institution to have their own credentials evaluator make the final decision regrading course levels.

    Hours & Credits

  • ECTS Credits

    6
  • Recommended U.S. Semester Credits
    3
  • Recommended U.S. Quarter Units
    4
  • Overview

    COURSE OBJECTIVE
    To provide insight into the biopsychosocial mechanisms that underlie behavior, with a focus on drug use and addiction, learning and attention.

    COURSE CONTENT
    When we engage in behaviour, we often hope to gain something, to be rewarded. To optimize the reward we receive, we exquisitely fine-tune our behaviour and become expert reward-seekers. Our behaviour can lead to positive effects, such as gaining new skills and achieving academic success, but it may also have negative consequences, for instance the short-term reward of drug intake may lead to addiction. During part I of the course you will gain knowledge of the biological and psychosocial processes that play a role in the search for rewards, in particular in relation to drug use and addiction. The nature of drugs, their short-term reward and related progression into addiction, as well as non-drug related addictions will be addressed. In part II you will gain insight into processes that guide our attention and learning and relate this to drug use. Throughout the course you will also learn more about the methods scientific research has at its disposal to increase this knowledge. During a set of the practical sessions you will take on the role of experiment leader to conduct a study related to the course topic and you will lay down your research findings in a paper.

    TEACHING METHODS
    Lectures, tutorials and laboratory sessions.

    TYPE OF ASSESSMENT
    Part I: Assignments and poster
    Part II: Assignments and research report

    REMARKS
    Students should follow both Behaviour and the brain part 1 : Addiction (coordinated by Biological Psychology) and Behaviour and the Brain part 2: Attention (coordinated by Cognitive Psychology)

Course Disclaimer

Courses and course hours of instruction are subject to change.

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