Biological bases of behaviour 1 WPS-PS-EUR1

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) Grupa przedmiotów ogólnouczenianych

(in Polish) nie dotyczy

(in Polish) Opis nakładu pracy studenta w ECTS

ECTS Points - Winter Semester (lecture + exercises): - participation in lectures: 30 hours; - participation in assessments outside of classes: 2 hours; - participation in consultations: 13 hours; - preparation for lectures / reading of texts: 15 hours; - exam preparation: 30 hours; - participation in exercises: 30 hours; - preparation for exercises / reading of texts / preparation of a presentation for assessment: 30 hours; - preparation for the test: 30 hours; (180 hours / 30 = 6 ECTS points)

Subject level

elementary

Learning outcome code/codes

PS_W04 PS_W07

Type of subject

obligatory

Preliminary Requirements

Basic knowledge of biology at the secondary school level.

Course coordinators

Jarosław Jastrzębski

Learning outcomes

PS_W04 - knows and understands the role of mental processes and the law
their development.
KNOWLEDGE:
- has knowledge (knows and understands) in the field of ethology, sociobiology, psychophysiology, evolutionary psychology and behavioral genetics, enabling him/her to explain the causes of human behaviour in the context of mental adaptations, understood as psychological mechanisms developed in the course of evolution (W1).

PS_WO7 - knows and understands the biological basis of behaviour and is able to recognize and interpret the biological mechanisms underlying mental processes.
ABILITIES:
- is able to objectively assess the cognitive and practical value of the biological basis of mental life (U1);
- recognizes the biological causes of both normal and pathological psychosocial phenomena (U2);
- knows and understands the genesis of biological processes underlying mental processes (U3)
- can use this knowledge to better explain the causes of human behavior (U4);
- is able to analyse and synthesize a scientific text, as well as present and discuss selected issues in the field of the theory of evolution, ethology, sociobiology, psychophysiology and behavioural genetics in the context of human behaviour (U5).
COMPETENCE:
- accepts the multifactorial basis of mental life and is aware of its importance (K1);
- sees the need for constant supplementation of knowledge in the field of biological basis of behavior (K2);
- is open to cooperation with specialists in other disciplines (K3);
- strives for a holistic understanding of mental life (K4).

Assessment criteria

The basis for the evaluation of the lecture is the exam.
The assessment from the exercises consists of: attendance and activity in classes (two absences per semester and e) + presentation of a paper and discussion on a random topic + grade from the colloquium.

Bibliography

Basic literature:
Buss D. M. (2001). Psychologia ewolucyjna. Gdańsk: GWP.
Dzik, J. (2021). Ewolucja. Twórcza moc selekcji. Warszawa: WUW.
Gazzaniga, M. S. (2020). Instynkt świadomości. Jak z mózgu wyłania się umysł? Sopot: Smak słowa.
Kalat, J. (2006). Biologiczne podstawy psychologii. Warszawa: PWN.
Wilson, E. O. (2001). Socjobiologia. Poznań: Zysk i S-ka.

Supplementary literature:
Arzt V., Birmelin I. (2001). Takie jak my. Czy zwierzęta mają świadomość. Warszawa: Bertelsman Media Sp. Zoo.
De Catanzaro, D. A. (2003). Motywacje i emocje. Poznań: Zysk i S-ka.
De Waal, F. (2013). Małpy i filozofowie. Skąd pochodzi moralność. Copernicus Center Press.
Diamond, J. (2019). Trzeci szympans. Kraków: Copernicus Center Press.
Dunbar, R. (2016). Człowiek. Biografia. Kraków: Copernicus Center Press.
Everrett D. L. (2019). Jak powstał język. Historia największego wynalazku ludzkości. Warszawa: Prószyński i S-ka.
Goodal J. (2019). Przez dziurkę od klucza. Warszawa: Prószyński i S-ka.
Hammer, D., Copeland, P. (2002). Geny a charakter. Warszawa: CiS.
Strelau, J. (red.). (2000). Psychologia. Podręcznik akademicki. Tom 1. Gdańsk: GWP.

Term 2026/27_Z:

LITERATURA PODSTAWOWA:
Buss D. M. (2001). Psychologia ewolucyjna. Gdańsk: GWP.
Dzik, J. (2021). Ewolucja. Twórcza moc selekcji. Warszawa: WUW.
Gazzaniga, M. S. (2020). Instynkt świadomości. Jak z mózgu wyłania się umysł? Sopot: Smak słowa.
Kalat, J. (2006). Biologiczne podstawy psychologii. Warszawa: PWN.
Wilson, E. O. (2001). Socjobiologia. Poznań: Zysk i S-ka.

LITERATURA UZUPEŁNIAJĄCA:
Arzt V., Birmelin I. (2001). Takie jak my. Czy zwierzęta mają świadomość. Warszawa: Bertelsman Media Sp. Zoo.
De Catanzaro, D. A. (2003). Motywacje i emocje. Poznań: Zysk i S-ka.
De Waal, F. (2013). Małpy i filozofowie. Skąd pochodzi moralność. Copernicus Center Press.
Diamond, J. (2019). Trzeci szympans. Kraków: Copernicus Center Press.
Dunbar, R. (2016). Człowiek. Biografia. Kraków: Copernicus Center Press.
Everrett D. L. (2019). Jak powstał język. Historia największego wynalazku ludzkości. Warszawa: Prószyński i S-ka.
Goodal J. (2019). Przez dziurkę od klucza. Warszawa: Prószyński i S-ka.
Hammer, D., Copeland, P. (2002). Geny a charakter. Warszawa: CiS.
Strelau, J. (red.). (2000). Psychologia. Podręcznik akademicki. Tom 1. Gdańsk: GWP.

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of WPS-PS-EUR1 in USOSweb