Biological bases of behaviour 2 WF-PS-N-EUR2
The aim of the course is to present the biological foundations of human behavior in the light of current research in ethology, sociobiology, psychophysiology and evolutionary psychology, as well as behavioral genetics. The lecture focuses on explaining the biological sources of human nature and the functions of psychological mechanisms, understood as psychological adaptations, solving problems in the field of:
(1) survival (e.g. choice of food, preferences regarding a place of refuge, fighting predators and other threats);
(2) sexual life and reproduction (eg female and male strategies of choosing a partner for a lasting and fleeting relationship, attachment, jealousy of a sexual partner);
(3) parenting (eg, the importance of father and mother for the survival and development of offspring, the ability of children to transform parental care into reproductive success, conflict between parents and offspring);
(4) relationships (eg, Hamilton's law and its implications);
(5) group life (e.g. altruism and helpful behavior, aggression and war).
The exercises are aimed at deepening and detailing the knowledge discussed during the lecture through discussion and analysis of individual issues based on specialist literature on the subject, as well as familiarizing participants with the basic methods of formulating research hypotheses in the field of biological bases of behavior, and their verification in the light of appropriate data sources.
(in Polish) E-Learning
(in Polish) Grupa przedmiotów ogólnouczenianych
(in Polish) Obowiązkowy poprzednik
(in Polish) Opis nakładu pracy studenta w ECTS
Subject level
Learning outcome code/codes
Type of subject
Preliminary Requirements
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
KNOWLEDGE: After completing EW1 courses, the student should have knowledge in the field of ethology, sociobiology, psychophysiology, evolutionary psychology and behavioral genetics, enabling him/her to explain the causes of human behavior in the context of psychological adaptations, understood as psychological mechanisms developed in the course of evolution.
SKILLS: Upon completion of the course, the student should: EU1 be able to objectively assess the cognitive and practical value of the biological basis of mental life; EU2 - perceive the biological causes of both normal and pathological psychosocial phenomena; EU3 - know and understand the genesis of biological processes underlying mental processes and EU4 - be able to use this knowledge to better explain the causes of human behaviour; EU5 - be able to analyse scientific texts, as well as present and explain selected issues in the field of evolutionary theory, ethology, sociobiology, psychophysiology and behavioural genetics in the context of human behaviour.
COMPETENCES: After completing EK1 classes - the student should accept the multifactorial background of mental life and be aware of its importance; EK2 - recognize the need to constantly supplement knowledge in the field of biological basis of behavior; EK3 - be open to cooperation with specialists in other disciplines; EK4 - strive for a holistic understanding of mental life.
Assessment criteria
The basis for the assessment of the lecture is the exam. The grade for the exercises consists of: attendance and active participation in classes (two absences per semester are allowed) + presentation of a paper on a randomly selected topic + grade for a test.
General evaluation criteria:
For an unsatisfactory grade (2):
- the student has mastered less than 60% of the knowledge and skills covered by the curriculum. The answers given by him are incorrect or incomplete, he cannot use his knowledge to explain the causes of specific human behavior and / or psychosocial phenomena;
For a satisfactory grade (3):
- the student has mastered at least 60% of the knowledge and skills included in the curriculum. Uses knowledge with understanding only to a limited extent and is able to use it to explain only some of the causes of human behavior and / or psychosocial phenomena;
For a good mark (4):
- the student operates with the understanding of at least 80% of the knowledge covered by the curriculum. Can use this knowledge to explain the causes of human behavior and / or psychosocial phenomena;
For a very good grade (5):
- the student has, in principle, the full range of knowledge and skills covered by the educational program. He can comprehensively and competently present knowledge of the biological basis of human behavior and correctly use it to explain the genesis and functions of psychophysiological adaptation.
Bibliography
Literatura podstawowa:
Buss D. M. (2001). Psychologia ewolucyjna. Gdańsk: GWP.
De Catanzaro, D. A. (2003). Motywacje i emocje. Poznań: Zysk i S-ka.
Kalat, J. (2006). Biologiczne podstawy psychologii. Warszawa: PWN.
Oniszczenko, W. (2002). Geny i środowisko a zachowanie. Warszawa: PWN.
Plomin, R, DeFries, J. C, McClearn, G. E., McGuffin, P. (2001). Genetyka zachowania. Warszawa: PWN.
Literatura uzupełniająca:
Blackmore, S. J. (2002). Maszyna memowa. Poznań: Rebis.
Buss, D. M. (2014). Zazdrość. Niebezpieczna namiętność. Gdańsk: GWP.
De Catanzaro, D. A. (2003). Motywacje i emocje. Poznań: Zysk i S-ka.
Dunbar, R. (2016). Anatomia miłości i zdrady. Co nauka mówi o namiętnościach człowieka. Kraków: Copernicus Center Press.
Etcoff N. (2002). Przetrwają najpiękniejsi. Warszawa: Cis; WAB.
Fisher, H. (2012). Dlaczego on? Dlaczego ona? Poznań: Rebis.
Fisher, H. (2016). Anatomia miłości. Nowe spojrzenie. Poznań: Rebis.
Hamer, D., Copeland, P. (2007). Geny a charakter. Warszawa: Świat Książki.
Miller. G. (2004). Umysł w zalotach. Jak wybory seksualne kształtowały naturę człowieka. Poznań: Rebis.
Ridley M. (2000). Czerwona królowa. Poznań: Rebis;
Ridley, M. (2001). Genom. Poznań: Rebis.
Ryan, F. (2017). Tajemniczy świat genomu ludzkiego. Warszawa: Prószyński i S-ka.
Additional information
Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: