Neuropsychology final Paper

· Final Paper. You will be required to write a research paper, choosing your topic from a list of topics provided (Index 14) A separate list of topics is also provided exclusively for school psychology majors who are enrolled in the class. Your paper must be written in APA Style. Here is an APA writing style resource that you can use as a guide to familiarize yourself. https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/2/10/. Your paper must be at least 12 double spaced pages in length, EXCLUDING your title page, abstract, and reference pages. You will need a minimum of 8 peer-reviewed references (pre-approved by this instructor) for your term paper. You may not use the textbook as a reference. Four deadlines for various steps in the Research Paper Assignment are noted in the Course Schedule below. Your timely completion of each of these steps will be considered in your total grade for the assignment. You may certainly submit the various components and the final paper before the given due dates. The final research paper and its component parts will count for 150 points of your final grade total. Specific assignment posting dates are given in the Course Calendar on the last pages of this Course Syllabus.

Paper Outline

· Due by 11:59 p.m. CST on 4/8

Paper Due

· Due by 11:59 p.m. CST on 4/22

PSY 668 – Tentative Course Schedule
Dates	Learning Objectives/Questions	Assigned Reading	Assignments Due
1/16-1/21	What are the origins of brain and behavior?	Chapter 1 Pgs. 1-32	Quiz #1 Discussion Board #1 Due by 11:59 p.m. CST on 1/21
1/22-1/28	How does the nervous system function?	Chapter 2 Pgs. 33-72	Quiz #2 Video Review # 1 Due by 11:59 p.m. CST on 1/28
1/29-2/4	What are the functional units of the nervous system?	Chapter 3 Pgs. 73-106	Quiz #3 Video Review #2 Discussion Board #2 Due by 11:59 p.m. CST on 2/4
2/5-2/11	How do neurons use electrical signals to transmit information?	Chapter 4 Pgs. 107-136	Quiz #4 Research Paper Topic Due by 11:59 p.m. CST on 2/11
2/12-2/18	How do neurons use electrochemical signals to communicate and adapt?	Chapter 5 Pgs. 137-170	Quiz #5 Video Review #3 Discussion Board #3 Due by 11:59 p.m. CST on 2/18

Dates	Learning Objectives/Questions	Assigned Reading	Assignments Due
2/19-2/25	How do drugs and hormones influence the brain and behavior?	Chapter 6 Pgs. 171-208	Quiz #6 Video Review #4 Due by 11:59 p.m. CST on 2/25
2/26-3/4	How do we study the brain’s structure and functions?	Chapter 7 Pgs. 209-244	Quiz #7 Discussion Board # 4 Video Review #5 Due by 11:59 p.m. CST on 3/4
3/5-3/11	How does the nervous system develop and adapt?	Chapter 8 Pgs. 245-282	Quiz # 8 Annotated Bibliography for Research Paper Due by 11:59 p.m. CST on 3/11
3/12-3/18	How do we sense, perceive, and see the world?	Chapter 9 Pgs. 283-320	Quiz #9 Video Review #6 Discussion Board #5 Due by 11:59 p.m. CST on 3/18
3/19-3/25 Fall Break – NO Work Due (
3/26-4/1	How do we hear, speak, and make music?	Chapter 10 Pgs. 321-354	Quiz #10 Video Review #7 Due by 11:59 p.m. CST on 4/1
4/2-4/8	How does the nervous system respond to stimulation and produce movement?	Chapter 11 Pgs. 355-396	Quiz #11 Discussion Board #6 Research Paper Outline Due by 11:59 p.m. CST on 4/8
4/9-4/15	What causes emotion and motivated behavior?	Chapter 12 Pgs. 397-440	Quiz # 12 Due by 11:59 p.m. CST on 4/15
4/16-4/22	Why do we sleep and dream?	Chapter 13 Pgs. 441-478	Quiz #13 Discussion Board # 7 Research Paper Due Due by 11:59 p.m. CST on 4/22
4/23-4/29	How do we learn and remember?	Chapter 14 Pgs. 479-518	Quiz #14 Video Review # 8 Due by 11:59 p.m. CST on 4/29
4/30-5/6	How does the brain think?	Chapter 15 Pgs. 519-560	Quiz #15 Video Review #9 Discussion Board #8 Due 5/6 by 11:59 p.m. CST
5/7-5/11	What happens when the brain misbehaves?	Chapter 16 Pgs. 561-599	Quiz #16 Video Review #10 Due 5/11 by 11:59 p.m. CST

***Please keep in mind the following: You may do work early (and I encourage you to do this) BUT NOT late! All times are based on Central Time, so please make adjustments accordingly. The entire class will end on Friday, May 11th, including quizzes, case studies, discussion boards, and your final paper. No material submitted after 11:59 pm on Friday, May 11th will be included in your final grade.

14. COURSE MATERIAL APPENDICES

· Video Titles Index “Charlie Rose Brain Series” 2010-2016

· “The Developing Brain”

· “The Social Brain”

· “Fear and Anxiety”

· “Pleasure and Reward”

· “Neurological, Psychiatric and Addictive Disorders”

· “Neurological Disorders”

· “Decision Making”

· “The Creative Brain”

· “PTSD”

· “Mental Illness”

· Research Topics Index:

· Philosophers’ Versus Scientists’ Views of the Brain-Behavior Relationship

· The Neurological Implication of a Stroke and the Role It Plays in Generating a Treatment Plan

· The Effects on the Brain of Stimulant Drugs vs. Antidepressant Drugs: A Contrast Comparison

· The Influence of Gender in the Use of Recreational Drugs

· An Overview of the Pioneers of Neuroscience: Their Contributions and Legacy

· Nonpharmaceutical Methods for Improving Visual Ability and Hand-Eye Coordination in Athletes

· Cochlear Implants: How This New Technology Works and When It is Warranted

· From a Neurophysiologic Perspective: How Humans Come to Recognize Music

· Genetic Components for Language

· Brain Plasticity: How it Functions Throughout the Human Lifespan

· The Addicted Brain: Neurological Basis of Addiction

· Autism: A Brain Perspective

· The Schizophrenic Brain

· The Psychopathic Brain

· The Bipolar Brain

· The Depressed Brain vs. The Anxious Brain: Differences and Commonalities

· Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE): What it is and Who is Affected

· The Latest Medical Advancements in the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury

· The Physiological and Behavioral Consequences of Exercise and Deep Tissue Massage on the Neural Chemistry of the Brain

· The Role of the Frontal Lobe in Selecting Behaviors

· The Limbic System’s Involvement in Motivating Behavior

· The Debate: Nature vs. Nurture in Sexual Orientation

· The Maintenance of Pleasurable Behavior From a Neural Biological Perspective

· The Pros and Cons of Alternative Methods for Treating Common Sleep Disorders

· Examining the Phenomenon of Dreams: Their Purpose and Content

· The Process of the Aging Brain in Context with Brain Plasticity

· The Impact of Traumatic Brain Injury From a Psychosocial Perspective

· Genetic Determinants of Intelligence: Yes or No?

· How Studying Split Brain Patients Enhances Our Understanding of the Mind-Body Relationship

· Parkinson’s Disease and Stem Cell Research

· The Pros and Cons of Neurofeedback in The Treatment of Mood Disorders

· How Psychological Trauma Changes the Brain

· Childhood Trauma and the Effects on Brain Development

· Advanced Research Topics Index:

· ADHD, Self-Regulation and Planning: Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Approaches and Classroom Interventions

· Auditory Processing in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Learning Disabilities and ADHD Diagnoses

· Social Perceptual Differences in Children and Adolescents with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and Intellectual Disability.

· The Effectiveness of Punishment/Reward in ADHD and Emotional Disturbance

· Gender Differences in Learning: Developmental Stages in Learning Readiness in Children

· Memory and Cognition: Difficulties with Learning New Information and Information Retrieval—Effective Intervention Strategies in the Classroom

· Characteristics of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in Children and Adolescents: Effective Behavioral and Academic Interventions

· Discussion Questions Index

· Discuss what would happen to the research focus in neuroscience if Descartes’ assertions were empirically supported and Darwin’s falsified. If we could show that the mind is immaterial, why should be bother with the neurosciences?

· Discuss the pros and cons of psychotropic drugs. What research evidence supports each position?

· Suppose a scientist created a way to block the dopamine reward basis of addiction. Would an addiction exist? Is drug addiction genetic or environmental? What research evidence supports either claim?

· Discuss the purpose of the stress response and the role hormones play in this response. In what ways may prolonged exposure to a stressor harm the body?

· How can the principles of neurodevelopment help to explain why each brain is different?

· Discuss the effects of early exposure to educational material on the cognitive development of mentally challenged children.

· Discuss the research information on the biological bases of sexual orientation. Why is indicating that homosexuality is a “lifestyle” offensive to those who have such a sexual orientation?

· Discuss the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy vs. drug therapy in the treatment of depression. What research evidence supports these treatment modalities?