Study the human brain and nervous system and understand how they can influence behaviour
Study the human body - the brain, nervous system, and physiological systems - how do these impact on the psychological responses and well-being of an individual.
- Examine how the body and psychology change through time, from birth to old age.
- Understand how age or health related physiological changes result in changes to the self.
- There are eight core modules
made up of Biopsychology I and II, Neuropsychology,
Psychopharmacology, Human Biology 1a, Stress Management, Developmental
Psychology and Human Biology 1b.
- Then choose two elective modules from
Introduction to Psychology, Anger Management, Child Psychology, Human
Biology III (Cardiorespiratory Performance) and Human Biology II
(Muscles and Movement)
Modules
Note that each module in the Qualification - Foundation Diploma in Biopsychology is a short course in its own right, and may be studied separately.
Sample Course Notes - What is Biopsychology?
Humans have a universal characteristic - the need to explain things. In ancient times, people believed that natural phenomena could be explained by animating spirits – all moving objects such as the wind, sun, moon and stars were thought to have spirits that caused them to move.
This was known as animism. Over time, more physical explanations became used for inanimate moving objects, but spirits were still used to explain human and animal behaviour. There was a belief that humans possess souls, due to the fact that we are aware of our own existence. We assume other people have similar experiences and feel something inside them also. Therefore, we conclude that there is some part of us that is not made of our physical bodies – our mind or soul.
Philosophical theories have led to the study of natural sciences. Biopsychology is also known as “Physiological Psychology”, “Psychobiology” or “Biological Psychology”.
Physiology is the study of the way living organisms function. It can encompass the way things move, chemical and bodily processes, growth, atrophy, and anything else that supports or causes physical or chemical changes to occur within the body. Therefore, it differs from anatomy, which is the study of the physical structure of the body.
There are obvious, observable or measurable associations between the physiology and the psychology of a person. For example, the mind and emotions can be affected by chemical processes caused by different foods, such as the soothing effects of bananas and carbohydrates. Intake of other substances, such as alcohol or other drugs, can affect the psychological state of a person. On the other hand, emotions can cause physiological responses. For instance, when people become stressed, their blood vessels may contract and the heart rate may increase. It has also been shown that focusing on positive thoughts such as love, appreciation or gratitude can cause immediate improvement in immune system function and regulate heart rhythm.
Why Study This Course?
- This course is an ideal qualification for anyone working with people and wanting to understand more.
- If you work in counselling, coaching, fitness, human nutrition, medicine, teaching, health care, social work or are involved in working with people, then this course is a useful source of learning and knowledge
- The course will help you to understand more about what influences people's responses and actions.
- Learn more about how the human mind works.
- Study how our brain and nervous system affect our behaviour
- This course is an indepth and detailed study into human brain and biology
Any Questions?
