Untitled DocumentDemonstration of Physiological Measures Three recordings of three different physiological measures are demonstrated. These are blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and galvanic skin response (GSR). Three student volunteers (V1, V2, & V3) are, therefore, required for each measurement, respectively. The equipment for the measurement of each of these physiological variables will differ in sophistication from institution to institution.
Electroencephalography Students work in pairs at each EEG station. They attach electrodes to one student in the pair, calibrate the hardware. The first recordings of the EEG are obtained with eyes closed, then open, then closed again. The second recordings are obtained during a resting period, while the student carries out a mental arithmetic problem. Students then perform some analysis of the data, separating the alpha, beta, theta and gamma components of the EEG, and looking at other measures to distinguish brain activity during the different psychological states.
Evolutionary Psychology An exercise in giving evolutionary explanations to behaviours. An experiment shows that women who dress more provocatively are more likely to be close to oestrus. Students discuss this in terms of evolution. They are then asked to account for an diametrically opposite result in the same terms.
Introduction to Anthropometry Students are simply divided into 2 groups and asked to measure the heights and weights of all the members of the group. However the stadiometer, while marked at 1 meter at the lowest point is in fact NOT 1 meter above the floor and the weighing scales provide quite inaccurate readings. Gradually the students are introduced to the idea of calibration, and the recording of germane information such as noting the sex of the individuals being measured. That is data which is available at the time of measurement but lost immediately afterwards.
Localisation of Brain Function. A Biological Practical. The purpose of this practical unit is to investigate a topic relevant to biological psychology, or perhaps more significantly neuropsychology Neuropsychology is the study of the ways in which the physical structure of the brain is related to behaviour.
Observing Neural Networking in vivo An exercise that challenges they typical student's common-sense view of a hard-wired brain. Bare toes, a blindfold and a ball point pen demonstrate that repeated direct stimulation of the motor or sensory cortex yields similar but not identical movements.
PowerLab for Psychophysiological Recordings Students are introduced to Powerlab. During this session they learn how to operate basic functions such as taking respiration, heart rate and GSR measurements.
The Distribution of Tactile Receptors This demonstration shows students the low density of tactile receptors in the trunk region compared to the very high density in finger tips.
The Ultimate Portable Brain Model This in-class demonstration assists students in understanding the three-dimensional nature of the brain and in learning labels for brain structures and locating areas of the brain with specific functions. Mneumonic devices can be included in the activity
