By definition psychology is the study of the mind and behavior, this module will focus on the influence of the mind on behavior.  In Lesson 1 students will take a look at the workings of the brain, exploring concepts of cortical localization, brain plasticity, right down to neural transmission and looking at how the many regions and structures of the brain work together to create the human experience.  From there Lesson 2 explores the relationship between sensation and perception, focusing on how the mind works to interpret what our body senses.  Finally Lesson 3 will explore higher cognitive functions in the brain, focusing on memory and intelligence.  By the end of this module students will have a knowledgeable perspective on the brain.

The mysteries of the brain won't be solved in this lesson but students will have a better understanding of how the brain works by the time this lesson is over.  We begin this lesson exploring neural transmission.  In Objectives 1 and 2 students will learn all about neural transmission, which is how the brain communicates between its different structures and regions, as well as to the rest of our body. 

Students can further explore the process of neural transmission by visiting the National Institute of Health and reading about the life and death of a neuron.  Objectives 3 -5 will give students a better understanding of how breakdowns in neural transmission result in illnesses, such as Parkinson's Disease or Schizophrenia.  Finally Objective 6 describes a handful of neurotransmitters that are essential for our everyday functioning, from producing speech to feeling in a good mood.   Another area of recent interest in the neuropsychology field has to do with a neural system within the brain called mirror neurons.  Some of you will explore these in greater depth as part of the Comprehensive Projects but here is an interesting video for everybody to watch about this fairly recent discovery:

PART 1                                                                                                             PART 2

The brain is what is called an integrated system, which means that although its regions and structures are specialized, or localized for function, that in fact the brain depends on all of its parts to create our experiences.  Damage to any of its regions or structures can cause mild to sever impairment in our daily functioning.  Objectives 7 -8 will illustrate the integrated nature of the brain while Objectives 9 - 11 will focus on its regions and structures and their localized functions.  Here is another great resource from HowStuffWorks.com that helps to explain how the brain works.