Biological Processes/Consciousness Unit
Sep/Oct. 2015
Psychology
Mr. Aiello
BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES and STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The objectives of the course are for the students to:
• acquire a working knowledge of major psychological theories and core concepts
• develop an understanding and appreciation of what makes psychology a science
• develop basic skills in conducting psychological research
• understand the relevance of psychology to their lives
• increase their critical thinking, especially in regards to scientific research about behavior
• continue to develop their oral and written communication skills
This unit can be very troublesome for students who do not regularly and carefully read the
textbook, primarily because of the large number of new and difficult words, and the heavy reliance
upon videos to illustrate the concepts discussed in the text. If you do not keep up with the reading
and vocabulary, the illustrations in class will not be as helpful. To encourage regular reading, we will
have several reading quizzes during this unit. Because of the heavy use of unusual terminology, I
strongly encourage you to develop a method by which to learn the many new terms. Flashcards or
something similar often seems to help many students. I also have several more specific essential
questions to help you each time you read the text. See me if you would like additional help or
suggestions on what you can do to improve your understanding of the material and ideas.
Essential Questions
1. Why is knowing about neural communication important?
2. What are the major tasks of the hindbrain (brainstem, thalamus, cerebellum)?
3. What are the major tasks of the midbrain (limbic system)?
4. What are the major tasks of the cerebral cortex (explain each of the lobes and association areas)?
5. Why does drain bamage not always have to be permanent?
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
6. Explain the arguments about whether or not hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness.
7. Describe several risks associated with sleep deprivation.
8. Describe and differentiate between the sleep disorders, and both their medical and behavioral
treatments. (a simple chart might work here: insomnia; narcolepsy; apnea)
9. What are the most significant biological, psychological, and social-cultural factors in drug use
and abuse?
Biological Processes/Consciousness Unit
Sep/Oct. 2015
Night
Homeplay Assignment
Myers Online Activities
Flip It: Action Potential
* Psychsim 5: Neural Messaging
Animations: Ion Flow 1 – 4
Friday,
Sep. 4
Myers Module 9.
Tuesday,
Sep. 8
Myers Module 10
Wednesday, Sep. 9
Thursday,
Sep. 10
Friday,
Sep. 11
Monday,
Sep. 14
Tuesday,
Sep. 15
Psychology
Mr. Aiello
Flip It: Structure of the Nervous System
Flip It: Reflex Arc
Animations: Signal Transmission 1 - 3
Myers Module 11
Flip It: Limbic System
*Psychsim 5: Brain and Behavior
Myers Module 12
Flip It: Structure & Function of the Cortex
Wednesday, Sep. 16
Myers Module 13
40 Studies: More Experience = More Brain
Thursday,
Sep. 17
Complete your Brain Collage. Flip It: Split Brain Research
*Psychsim 5: Hemispheric Specialization
Animations: Split Brain
Friday,
Sep. 18
Complete and turn in:
Myers online quiz for chapter 3
Two of the three Psychsim 5 Activities
Vocabulary/Key Contributors (all terms in Modules 9 – 13)
Essential Questions 1 - 5
Monday,
Sep. 21
Read the article “Hit Parade: The Future of the Sports Concussion Crisis.”
Tuesday,
Sep. 22
Myers Module 22
40 Studies: Acting as If You are Hypnotized
Wednesday, Sep. 23
Flip It: Theories of Hypnosis
Thursday,
Sep. 24
Myers Module 23
Friday,
Sep. 25
Myers Module 24
Monday,
Sep. 28
Read the article “The Power of Sleep” then go to bed earlier than usual!!
40 Studies: To Sleep, No Doubt to Dream
Biological Processes/Consciousness Unit
Sep/Oct. 2015
Night
Tuesday,
Homeplay Assignment
Sep. 29
Psychology
Mr. Aiello
Myers Online Activities
Flip It: Why Do We Dream?
40 Studies: Unromancing the Dream
Wednesday, Sep. 30
Myers Module 25
Thursday,
Oct. 1
Begin reading the article “How Addiction Hijacks the Brain’s Reward
System.”
Friday,
Oct. 2
Finish reading the article.
Monday,
Oct. 5
Tuesday,
Oct. 6
*Psychsim 5: Your Mind on Drugs
Flip It: The Psychology of Addiction
Flip It: Neurotransmitters and Drugs
Animations: Synaptic Activity 1 – 3 (Ch. 3)
Complete and turn in:
Myers online quiz for chapter 5
Psychsim 5 activity
Vocabulary/Key Contributors
Essential Questions 6 - 9