Introduction to psychobiology. Examples of psychobiological approach to the study of behaviour and neural functions. Psychobiological approach to the study of behaviour development. Neural circuit formation. Cortical development. Methods in developmental psychobiology. Genetic determinants and role of experience in neural circuit development. Critical periods in development. Long term effects of early experiences. Crossmodal plasticity.
Nicoletta Berardi and Tommaso Pizzorusso, Psicobiologia dello sviluppo, Laterza, (2006); slides provided by the teacher.
Learning Objectives
General aim: To provide the basis for the understanding of the psychobiological approach to the study of behaviour and of neural functions and of their development.
Specific aims: To provide the basis for the understanding of neural circuits development, of the role played by experience and of the existence of critical periods. To provide the basis for the understanding of behaviour development and of the role played in it by gene-environment interactions.
At the end of the course, students are expected to know and understand the fundamentals of the biological bases of behaviour development, and in particular of the role of experience, to know how to apply this knowledge also in studying other psychological subjects, to have developed critical abilities, to know how to organize and clearly express themselves, to posses effective methods of learning, both for continuing the studies and for keeping oneself up to date in the fields of interest.
Prerequisites
none
Teaching Methods
class lectures, seminars
Further information
none
Type of Assessment
written and oral examination
Course program
Introduction to psychobiology. Examples of psychobiological approach to the study of behaviour and neural functions: Psychobiology of memory. Psychobiology of emotions. Psychobiology of motivation. Psychobiology of maternal care. Psychobiological approach to the study of behaviour development. Neural circuit formation: neurogenesis, axon development, synaptogenesis, myelination. Programmed neural cell death in development. Cortical development. Methods in developmental psychobiology. Genetic determinants and role of experience in neural circuit development. Development of sensory systems and functions. Critical periods in development. Long term effects of early experiences. Crossmodal plasticity.