PSY 402 Full Course Discussions
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.
