PSY402
PSY 402 Full Course Discussions GCU
PSY 402 Topic 1 DQ 1
Describe the emergence of cognitive psychology and neuroscience – what prompted the development of these fields, and what is significant about the shift from behaviorism to cognitive psychology and neuroscience? What can we understand about human behavior because of neuroscience that we could not have understood before?
PSY 402 Topic 1 DQ 2
Describe two methods of research for studying neural function (describe at least one that uses the behavioral or cognitive approach). How do these methods complement one another? What are the limitations of each method?
PSY 402 Topic 2 DQ 1
What does the case of Phineas Gage reveal about localization of functions in the brain? How can modern neuroscientists and psychologists learn from his injury?
PSY 402 Topic 2 DQ 2
Given your understanding of the functions of the different lobes of the brain, how might a person be affected by damage to the temporal lobe? Frontal lobe? Occipital lobe? Parietal lobe?
PSY 402 Topic 3 DQ 1
Choose a perceptual difference that demonstrates an irregularity or dysfunction in one of the projection pathways. Explain how it could affect everyday life.
PSY 402 Topic 3 DQ 2
What are some of the differences in processing in the dorsal and ventral visual pathways? Imagine you have a friend who has an injured dorsal or ventral visual pathway, describe what that looks like, what deficits would be in their daily functioning, what remains intact.
PSY 402 Topic 4 DQ 1
Compare and contrast early and late selection models of attention, and provide examples of each.
PSY 402 Topic 4 DQ 2
Describe blindsight and unilateral neglect and explain the contribution of these phenomena to researchers’ understanding of consciousness and attention.
PSY 402 Topic 5 DQ 1
Compare and contrast the four types of memory discussed in this week’s readings (from Chapter 9 of your textbook).
PSY 402 Topic 5 DQ 2
Discuss one type of memory deficit, including what part of the brain is affected and how memory processing is interrupted.
PSY 402 Topic 6 DQ 1
Discuss the effects of metacognitive regulation on memory performance.
PSY 402 Topic 6 DQ 2
How can college students use the information on metacognition to improve their academic work? What strategies will you employ in your future academic work?
PSY 402 Topic 7 DQ 1
Compare and contrast two different forms of aphasia. What part of the brain is specifically affected by each form and how would this affect the mental lexicon?
PSY 402 Topic 7 DQ 2
Chomsky’s theory on the evolution of language suggests that language is generative, meaning that humans have the ability to create a number of unique sequences. Do you agree or disagree with his theory? Give concrete examples from your readings to support your answer.
PSY 402 Topic 8 DQ 1
How does working memory relate to learning and intelligence?
PSY 402 Topic 8 DQ 2
Describe the differences between fluid intelligence and crystallized intelligence. Provide an example for each.
PSY 402 Full Course Assignments GCU
PSY 402 Topic 2 Brain and Nervous System Presentation
Details:
Create a PowerPoint presentation (9-12 slides) that outlines the basic functions of the brain and nervous system. Be sure to address the following issues in your presentation:
Brain: Illustrate the major lobes of the brain as well as the areas in the sub-cortex. A brief of the function of each component should be included.
Show the gross anatomy of the brain.
Show both the neurons and various types of glial cells.
Identify the structure of a neuron.
Nervous System: Illustrate the major components of the nervous system (Central/Peripheral, Autonomic/Somatic, and Sympathetic/Parasympathetic). Also, include the basic functions of each section, along with the basic functions of neurons.
Show the gross anatomy of the nervous system
Show synaptic transmission
Explain what happens to cells during an action potential
Speaker notes, of 50-75 words, are required for each slide. The title and reference slide do not count toward the total slide count.
You are required to use a minimum of four to six scholarly resources.
While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and in-text citations and references should be presented using APA documentation guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.
PSY 402 Topic 5 Benchmark Memory and Brain Mechanisms Paper
Details:
The goal of this paper is to understand how the brain and memory processes are intertwined and how certain techniques can improve these processes. In an essay of 1,000-1,250 words, discuss how memories are formed and maintained in the brain through the actions of neural circuitry. Use at least four scholarly resources to address the following questions:
Theoretically, how is working memory similar to and different from long-term memory?
How are memories formed in the brain (using neural circuitry), and how are they maintained?
When is it adaptive to remember, and in what ways may it be adaptive to forget?
Given what we know about brain mechanisms in memory, are our memories accurate? Explain your answer using information on how memories are stored in the brain.
How can knowledge of the brain and memory systems be used to help individuals suffering from memory problems (e.g., poor memory, amnesia, PTSD)?
Compare the role age and environment play in how memories are formed and maintained.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.
This benchmark assignment assesses the following programmatic competency: 1.3: Compare biological and psychological explanations of the brain and its functions and 2.3: Apply critical thinking skills in solving problems related to behavior and mental processes.
PSY 402 Topic 6 Memory Strategies
Details:
Write a 1,000-1,250-word essay that applies memory strategies to your daily life. Include the following:
Explain cognitive mapping and one other memory strategy of your choosing from the course materials.
Explain at least two positive effects of using each memory strategy in daily life.
Using the GCU Library databases, include a minimum of four sources, one of which may be the textbook.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.
PSY 402 Topic 8 Benchmark Article Review
Details:
For this assignment, select a peer-reviewed journal article relating to an area of problem solving, decision making, or an intelligence theory that was discussed in class (e.g., fluid or crystalline intelligence, primary/secondary reinforcers, biases, or effective problem-solving strategies).
The article must meet the following criteria:
The article must be from a peer-reviewed journal.
The article must be obtained from the GCU Library.
The article must be a research study, rather than a literature review (i.e., the article has to have methods, results, and discussion sections).
The article must utilize a cognitive or behavioral theory, model, or effect.
The purpose of this article review is to get you to think critically about an area of cognition or learning. After reading your chosen article, address the following questions. Use subheadings to differentiate between the various aspects of your review. Remember, APA guidelines can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
Major Findings/Conclusions:
Be sure to include the major findings of the study.
What conclusions did the researchers draw from the data?
Implications for the Field of Psychology (how the findings could be used/applied in the field):
Include how the results of the study can be applied (e.g., why are the findings of the study important?). These may be the implications the authors put forth, or your own ideas (be sure to cite if they are not your ideas).
How would psychology/education/counseling professionals benefit (learn) from the findings?
How might the results improve knowledge or application in the field? What should psychology professionals “take away” from the findings?
Method/Participants:
Describe the basics of how the study was conducted. What procedures were used?
Who were the participants?
Strengths/Limitations of the Study:
Include at least one strength AND one limitation you saw in the study.
Explain why you believe each is a strength or limitation. Hint: study findings are not “strengths” in and of themselves.
The article review should be 1,000-1,250 words. Include a minimum of three scholarly articles.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.
This benchmark assignment assesses the following programmatic competency: 4.4: Explain the importance of maintaining knowledge of current trends in psychology.
