Description

Video teaching modules for learners of all ages; 35 video modules (from 5 to 20 minutes in length) Unravel the mysteries of the mind with these video teaching modules. An extension of topics covered in The Brain: Teaching Modules, these programs explore cognition and human behavior. The modules present current findings on language processing, drug treatment and addictions, and cognitive development throughout the life span. The programs also cover mood and personality disorders, and pain and its treatment. These modules are flexible additions to courses in psychology, abnormal and physiological psychology, neuropsychology, and occupational therapy.Produced by Colorado State University. Individual Program DescriptionsVOD1. Unraveling the Mysteries of the MindExplores such fundamental questions as “What is the mind?” and “What is the relationship between the mind and the brain?” Summarizes various views on the brain/mind connection. (This module sets the stage for the remaining 34 modules.)VOD2. Hypnotic Dissociation and Pain ReliefDescribes what goes on during hypnosis and looks at states of consciousness, hypnosis as a phenomenon, and the therapeutic use of hypnosis in treating arthritis.VOD3. The Placebo Effect: Mind/Body RelationshipExplores a number of areas presented in general psychology, including biological bases of behavior, experimental control, health, and mind/body relationships.VOD4. Cognition and the Immune System: Mind/Body InteractionLooks at mind/body interactions and their relationships to disease and the immune system.VOD5. Endorphins: The Brain’s Natural MorphineProvides diagrammatic action graphics of neural networks, synaptic junctions, and neurotransmitter sites. Also touches on topics of consciousness, drug addiction, withdrawal symptoms, and nerve functioning.VOD6. Brain Mechanisms of Pleasure and AddictionExplores biological motivation and addictive behavior, and takes the viewer through scientists’ work on brain stimulation.VOD7. The Frontal Lobes: Cognition and AwarenessExplains the importance of the frontal lobe in human functioning, and covers brain function, diagnostic assessment, cognitive function, evolution, and comparative behavior.VOD8. Language Processing in the BrainDemonstrates learning as an active process and shows the PET scan as an effective method of measuring brain function.VOD9. Studying the Effects of Subliminal Stimulation on the MindExplores perception, the study of unconscious processes, and research methodologies. Provides a good example of the impact Freud has had on psychology and how it is possible to test some of his hypotheses in the laboratory.VOD10. Life Without Memory: The Case of Clive Wearing, Part 1Raises many questions about the nature of memory and its importance to human existence. Introduces the viewer to Clive Wearing, who is incapable of making new memories due to viral encephalitis.VOD11. Clive Wearing, Part 2: Living Without MemoryPresents an extraordinary example of the relationship between brain damage and memory function by reintroducing the viewer to Clive Wearing 13 years after his appearance in part one.VOD12. Teratogens and Their Effects on the Developing Brain and MindDiscusses the biological basis of behavior by illustrating case studies of humans affected by radiation contamination, alcohol, and drugs.VOD13. Capabilities of the NewbornCovers infant development and the capacities of the newborn.VOD14. Infant Cognitive DevelopmentIllustrates two ways of studying infant behavior: brain activity and visual fixation.VOD15. Social Development in InfancyCovers infant social/cognitive development and the emergence of self.VOD16. The Effect of Aging on Cognitive Function: Nature/NurtureExplores how the study of identical twins can help determine how factors such as lifestyle and diet may contribute to individual differences in the aging process.VOD17. Aging and MemoryIllustrates how a common form of forgetting involving future intentions can be studied in the laboratory, and presents a new way of studying age differences via memory.VOD18. Effects of Mental and Physical Activity on the Brain/MindIntroduces Dr. William Greenough’s expanded studies on the effects of mental and physical activity on the aging brain and mind.VOD19. Understanding Alzheimer’s DiseaseProvides a clear demonstration of how the advent of new technologies has aided research into the etiology of disease.VOD20. Phantom Limb PainPresents a vivid example of phantom limb pain and raises important questions about the origin of the pain.VOD21. Treating Chronic PainStudies chronic pain and examines physical and psychological approaches to treatment.VOD22. Depressants and Their Addictive Effect on the BrainShows what happens biochemically in alcohol and drug addiction; deals with states of consciousness, addiction, and alcohol-related abnormal behaviors.VOD23. Infant Speech Sound DiscriminationDemonstrates how infants can discriminate between subtle sound differences; focuses largely on infant speech development.VOD24. Language PredispositionDeals with language, development, and research methodology; provides a good demonstration of human sound recognition abilities.VOD25. Human Language: Signed and SpokenExplores how sign language is processed; discusses hemispheric specialization, language acquisition, the nature of language formation, and methodology.VOD26. The Bilingual BrainIllustrates the capabilities of the fMRI, one of the latest technologies used by scientists to investigate brain functions.VOD27. Animal LanguageExamines animal communication, the linguistic abilities of chimpanzees, and comparative cognitive behavior.VOD28. Language and CultureRelates to language development, the nature versus nature debate, and cultural influences on behavior.VOD29. Alcohol Addiction: Hereditary FactorsDeals with alcoholism, addiction, biological evidence for hereditary traits, and how science progresses through replication and the development of new technologies.VOD30. Treating Drug Addiction: A Behavioral ApproachProvides an example of how drug therapies incorporate the results of research on several levels of behavior, and shows how patients learn to deal with environmental triggers for cravings.VOD31. Mood Disorders: Mania and DepressionPresents vivid examples of the mood fluctuations of patients who suffer from periodic affective episodes.VOD32. Mood Disorders: Hereditary FactorsIllustrates the findings of a 10-year study that involved 12,000 volunteers in an Amish community and represents careful analysis of genetic factors related to manic-depressive disorders.VOD33. Mood Disorders: Medication and Talk TherapyShows the effectiveness of combining drug therapies with traditional psychotherapy.VOD34. Treating Depression: Electroconvulsive TherapyProvides a clear and dramatic presentation of the process and some of the effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).VOD35. The Mind of the PsychopathPresents the definition of and specific behaviors related to psychopathy, and the ongoing research on this subject.