Inside Out: How Your Brain Talks to Your Body

Course Description

The science of psychology (thoughts, actions, and emotions) meets biology. This course will introduce students to the fascinating field of psychophysiology. This mini-course will incorporate brief lectures on the basics of social and health psychology, visual and interactive overviews of cardiovascular, respiratory, immune, and neurological systems of the human body, with measurement, research, and experimentation essentials. Students will develop a foundational understanding of the biopsychosocial model of challenge and threat, which emphasizes the integration of biological, psychological, and social influences in explaining human behavior. Additionally, students will engage in activities and discussions to foster the skills necessary to experimentally study associations and causal relationships for our physical and psychological experiences of being human.

Each day, the mornings will consist of, a topic introduction that includes videos, slides, and/or demonstrations of the central elements and a concept-building activity. The afternoons will include a with a hands-on activity (e.g. electrode placement) and a class discussion where students will think about questions such as “Why would your emotions be tied to your physiology?” and “What are the connections between stress and health?” to encourage content understanding and engagement with the subject matter. As a relatively new and interdisciplinary branch of psychological science, psychophysiology bridges the gap between the abstract—our thoughts and emotions—and the concrete—our biological systems and measurable responses. By the end of this mini-course, students will have a deeper understanding and appreciation of the bidirectional links between the mind and body, and the skills to think critically about how these connections inform our understanding of human behavior and well-being.