My topic for this blog is going to be "biological bases for behaviour"
Generally speaking, this is going to be the brain.
I intend to look at the anatomical structures of the brain, their functions, and if I have an opportunity to go into detail, maybe some concepts like neuroplasticity and/or development.
This can be really dry, academic, and seemingly artificial content for introductory psychology students. However, it's integral to many later lessons; if I can find multimodal resources, make real-world connections, and/or make texts with high-caliber vocabulary accessible to a variety of learners, I think they would be set up for success when we reach other aspects of psychology.
My knowledge on the topic is relatively basic. My knowledge is probably just beyond what I would expect a high school sophomore or junior to know at the end of a unit on the topic: I can identify the four lobes of the cerebrum and their functions/associations. I can identify several major structures in the midbrain and their functions. I can identify the cerebellum and its functions, as well as the components of the brainstem. I can describe basic functions of each hemisphere of the brain, and the location and purpose of the corpus callosum. I can provide basic details about neuroplasticity, and lateralization. I can recite details from a couple of interesting case studies on the topic.
I would like to be more knowledgeable about the minor structures of the brain and how they relate to one another. I'd be interested to see if there is any information from evolutionary psychologists on why certain structures developed in these specific locations in the brain. I'd also like to learn more about their day-to-day operation and influence on behaviour.
For the purposes of an elective, high-school level course, I'd like to find more ways to connect these biological, abstract constructs to the social, concrete realities of students' lives. I'd like to know more about the processes that go on inside of our brains when we have experiences that students live every day. What does your brain do when you're anxious about a test? When you see your crush in the hallway? When you're bored because you're learning something you're not interested in? I'd also like to demonstrate connections between biological bases for behaviour and growth mindset.
Potential resources:
King, L. A. (2011). The Science of Psychology: An Appreciative View. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Bailey, Regina. “Anatomy of the Brain.” ThoughtCo., 8 Mar. 2017, www.thoughtco.com/anatomy-of-the-brain-373479.
Human Brain: Information, Facts, and News. (2017, September 15). Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/health-and-human-body/human-body/brain/
Myers, D. G. (2011). Psychology (10th ed.). New York, NY: Worth.
Your post is very interesting! I have always wondered how the brain works and it is an amazing thing. I feel like there will always be something new to learn about the brain. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteYou might want to edit/delete & repost your comment with your name/URL (it's an option on the dropdown menu below the comment box) so that the professor can give you credit! :)
DeleteHi! The way the different parts of the brain relate to one another and the processes in reaction to different life experiences will prove to be very interesting, and I think its really neat how you want to relate these to your students' experiences as well. I'll be very interested to read your findings in your future posts!
ReplyDeleteYou might want to edit/delete & repost your comment with your name/URL (it's an option on the dropdown menu below the comment box) so that the professor can give you credit! :)
DeleteElizabeth, studying the different parts of the brain and their interconnectedness is extremely interesting, but you're right, it can be very dry at times. I think that finding ways to relate it to the lives of students and why they think the things they think or do the things they do would help to make it much more interesting.
ReplyDeleteYou might want to edit/delete & repost your comment with your name/URL (it's an option on the dropdown menu below the comment box) so that the professor can give you credit! :)
DeleteHello commenters. Thanks Elizabeth (?) for cueing your group members to post their names. You all can also just include your name in your text. First name and initial of last name are fine.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth this is a very interesting topic, especially with the hot debates around epigenetics. I look forward to seeing the different texts you gather in order to invite adolescents into this topic, as they may not see it as relevant to their lives on the outset, yet in so many ways their brains are at their highest plasticity ever during adolescents. Very interesting topic for adults indeed (as we have passed the plasticity !?!)
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