Course: General Psychophysiology

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Course title General Psychophysiology
Course code PCH/MPFY
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Seminary
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 3
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Stanke Ladislav, RNDr. Ph.D.
  • Staněk Jakub, Mgr.
  • Procházka Roman, doc. PhDr. Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
- Introduction to psychophysiology and basic psychophysiological principles - Integrative functions of the CNS - Measuring muscle activity (EMG) - Measuring electrodermal activity (EDA) - Measuring gastrointestinal tract activity (EGG etc.) - Measuring respiratory activity - Measuring cardiovascular activity (ECG, HRV, plethysmography, etc.) - Measuring eye activity (EOG, eye-tracking, etc.) - Measuring brain activity (EEG etc.) - Examples of psychophysiological research (studies in addictology, video games, Libet's experiment, etc.)

Learning activities and teaching methods
Lecture, Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Projection (static, dynamic)
  • Attendace - 18 hours per semester
  • Homework for Teaching - 12 hours per semester
  • Preparation for the Course Credit - 25 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
Psychophysiology is a discipline focused on observing physiological changes related to psychological processes. The goal of this course is to provide students theoretical knowledge about basic principles of psychophysiology and the most used methods of recording activity of organs in human body, including the CNS.
By absolving this course, the students will acquire theoretical knowledge about background and methods of psychophysiology and will be able to understand its application in psychological research and practice. This knowledge will allow students to understand psychophysiologically oriented studies reported in the literature. Knowledge from this course, together with knowledge obtained in the follow-up course called 'Speciální otázky psychofyziologie', are necessary requirements for the students to be able to design and conduct unassisted psychophysiological experiments.
Prerequisites
Orientation in the areas of neurophysiology, clinical psychology, psychopathology, psychodiagnostics, personality psychology and cognitive psychology.

Assessment methods and criteria
Written exam, Student performance, Seminar Work

- Attendance (absence allowed on two lectures) - Preparation for the lectures (familiarizing with contents of the presentation) - Studying a psychophysiological experiment and reporting it orally on the lectures - Passing a written test
Recommended literature
  • Andreassi, J. L. (2007). Psyhophysiology: Human Behavior & Physiological Response. New York.
  • Cacioppo, J. T.; Tassinary, L. G.; Berntson, G. G. (2007). Handbook of Psychophysiology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Hugdahl, K. (2001). Psychophysiology: The Mind-Body Perspective. Harvard: Harvard University Press.
  • Potter, R. F.; Bolls, P. D. (2011). Psychophysiological Measurement and Meaning: Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Media. New York: Routledge.
  • Stern, R. M.; Ray, W. J.; Quigley, K. S. (2001). Psychophysiological recording. New York.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Psychology (2019) Category: Psychology courses 1 Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: Winter