PSYC 625

Methods in Psychophysiology and Neuroscience

Instructor Contact Information

Dr. Ben Allen
E-mail: benallen@ku.edu
Office: Fraser 521
Zoom Office Hours: Wednesday, 12 pm - 3 pm
https://kansas.zoom.us/j/96019246459
Passcode: 831832

Class Time and Location

Fall 2023
Lecture on Zoom
Monday and Wednesday, 10:00 am - 11:50 am
https://kansas.zoom.us/j/94670754767
Passcode: 387177

Laboratory Location: Fraser 215

Laboratory Time: Thursdays, 10:00 am - 11:50 am; 12:00 pm - 1:50 pm; 2:00 pm - 3:50 pm

Course Hours and Instructional Methods

This class includes both a in-person small-group laboratory and online lecture and discussion.
6 credit hours of lecture / laboratory time and ≈ 12 hours of work outside of class and laboratory.

Course Description

Psychology (PSYC) - Exp Psy:Mthd Psychophy&Neurosc ( 6 / AE61 / S ) Fall 2023

Lectures and laboratory work on psychophysiology and neuropsychology research methods. Overview
of psychophysiological tools to measure the central and peripheral nervous systems. Experience
designing and implementing neuropsychology and psychophysiology research.

Full Course Description

In the lecture, we will discuss assigned readings, prepare for upcoming labs, and analyze data from
previous labs. In the first few laboratory sessions, students work in teams (typically of 3-4 students) and
complete labs designed to introduce a particular physiological measure. Groups will then design and
complete labs guided by the faculty instructor. The overall goal is that this course will catapult your
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future career by helping you to learn skills for making new discoveries that can cause major change and
lead to innovation.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: PSYC 104 and PSYC 210 or PSYC 211 or consent of instructor.

Learning Outcomes

This course meets KU Core Goal 6: Integration and creativity. The course promotes creative thinking
and integration of knowledge within and across disciplines. I encourage you to use your personal and
academic experiences as the foundation for creative thinking.

After successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

1. Discuss how psychological stimuli impact physiological systems
2. Read and synthesizing scientific journal articles
3. Devise a research question and select an appropriate method to test it.
4. collect and statistically analyze physiological and behavioral response data.
5. Create a poster based on results and present a group.

The main learning outcome of the course is for the student to be able to analyze and combine
information from different areas within or across disciples to approach and explain existing questions
and problems from new perspectives, to pose new questions, and to generate new ideas.

Course Materials

Required Textbook: Freely available to read online through the KU library.

Stern, R. M., & William, J. Ray, and Karen S. Quigley (2001), Psychophysiological Recording. Second
Edition. 9780195113594

Technology Requirements

The lecture presentations, links to articles, assignments, and all other course materials are located on
the Canvas site for the course. To participate in learning activities and complete assignments, you will
need:
● Access to a working computer that has a current operating system with updates installed, plus
speakers or headphones to hear lecture presentations (transcripts provided);
● Reliable Internet access and a KU email account;
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● A current Internet browser that is compatible with Canvas (Google Chrome is the
recommended browser for Canvas);
● Microsoft Word as your word processing program; and
● Reliable data storage for your work, such as a USB drive or Office365 OneDrive cloud storage.

If your computer does not have Microsoft Word, Office 365, you can download Microsoft Office at no
cost by logging into Office 365 with their KU Online ID.

General Assignment Information

Submit all coursework to Canvas

Response papers: Most weeks there is an assigned reading from the textbook. For this assignment, you
need to read the chapter and submit a response paper through Canvas. Response papers are due by
11:59 CST the day before we cover them in class. For example, we will discuss the first assigned reading
(Chapter 1) on Wednesday, August 23, 2023. You must submit your response by 11:59 PM CST on
Tuesday, August 22, 2023. After reading Chapter 1, write a 1-page, double-spaced paper that
summarizes the reading and details your reaction to it. The submission is a text entry, so I recommend
typing your response paper in a text editor (google docs, word, etc.) and pasting into the submission
box when finished.

Below are details on what to write:

Part 1: A Summary of the Work

● Write an informative summary of the material.

● Start with a topic sentence for the summary.
● Condense the reading by highlighting its main points and supporting points.
● Illustrate important ideas.
● Summarize to give a general sense of the key aspects of the reading.
● Keep the summary factual.
● Do not include your reaction in the first part.

Part 2: Your Reaction to the Work

● Start with a topic sentence for your response.

● Focus on any or many of the following questions:
● How is the assigned work related to psychophysiological experiments?
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● How is the material related to your life, experiences, feelings and ideas?
● Did the work increase your understanding of a particular issue?
● Did it change your perspective in any way?
● Evaluate the importance, accuracy, completeness, organization, etc.
● Points of Consideration When Writing the Report

Things to keep in mind

● Ensure each major paragraph presents and then develops a single main point.
● Support any points you express with specific reasons and details. Statements such as "I found
the book very interesting" are not as meaningful as offering specific evidence that supports your
position.
● Edit carefully for spelling and grammatical errors.
● Cite paraphrased or quoted material from any other works as needed.

Lab report: In most labs, the lab report will include submission of at least one file under the
appropriate lab report assignment. These files will contain physiological data recorded during the lab,
values observed by the students, or student summaries and observations of the lab.

Poster presentation: You will have a chance during the semester to design a lab with your lab
partners. This entails reading scientific journal articles to come up with a research question, construct
an experimental protocol to address the research question, collect data in the lab, analyze the data, and
present a poster to the class (3-minutes).

Attendance and Participation: I award credit at each lecture and lab for attendance and
participation. Come to class prepared and ready to take part.

Evaluation Criteria and Grading Scale

Student Survey of Teaching

Throughout this course, you'll have several chances to share your thoughts about your learning
journey. Feel free to offer suggestions and helpful critiques at any point, especially in the initial weeks.
To facilitate this, I'll utilize surveys and assignments mid-semester to collect your insights on what's
effective and where we can make enhancements. Additionally, towards the end of the semester, you'll
be invited to participate in an online Student Survey of Teaching. Your input here could potentially
influence adjustments not only to this course but also to future courses I instruct. Your feedback is
highly valued and appreciated.
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Grading
All grades will be posted on Canvas. You are strongly encouraged to check your scores in Canvas
regularly. A final letter grade will be assigned based on percentages. I grade response papers and written
research reports as complete / incomplete. I grade poster presentations using a rubric for poster
presentations at the KU Undergraduate Psychology Research Symposium. This rubric is located on
Canvas under the Start Here Module.

Assignment Weights Percent

Response Papers 30%
Lab Reports 30%
Poster presentation 30%
Attendance and Participation 10%

GRADING SCALE:

93-100 A 80-82 B- 67-69 D+

90-92 A- 77-79 C+ 63-66 D
87-89 B+ 73-76 C 60-62 D-
83-86 B 70-72 C- <60 F

Incomplete Grades
You may be assigned an 'I' (Incomplete) grade if you are unable to complete some portion of the
assigned course work because of an unanticipated illness, accident, work-related responsibility, family
hardship, or verified learning disability. An Incomplete grade is not intended to give you additional
time to complete course assignments or extra credit unless there is indication that the specified
circumstances prevented you from completing course assignments on time.

Attendance Policy
The responsibility for class attendance rests with individual students. Students are expected to attend
classes regularly and meet all requirements set by the instructor. Students are responsible for planning
their schedules to avoid excessive conflicts with course requirements. Communicate with the instructor
in case of emergencies.
[University Excused Absences policy (USRR 2.2.1).]
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Academic Success

Please visit the Student Resources Page on the Academic Success

Website:https://academicsuccess.ku.edu/student-resources-0).

In addition to any policies and resources noted above, the KU Academic Success Student Resources
website provides links to KU Policies and Resources pertaining to academic misconduct, grading
policies, harassment and discrimination, diversity and inclusion, mandatory reporting, equal
opportunity and affirmative action, and student rights and responsibilities. Please visit the site to
familiarize yourself with these policies and resources. If you have questions or concerns about any of
these policies, statements, or resources, please let me know, or contact Student Affairs directly.

Student Resources
● University Academic Support Centers
o https://access.ku.edu/
University Policies
● Academic Misconduct
o https://policy.ku.edu/governance/USRR#art2sect7
● Change of Grade
o https://policy.ku.edu/registrar/grade-change;
o https://policy.ku.edu/governance/USRR#art2sect3
● Commercial Note-Taking
o https://policy.ku.edu/provost/commercial-note-taking
● Diversity and Inclusion
o https://policy.ku.edu/provost/diversity-inclusion
● Mandatory Reporting (Title IX/Civil Rights)
o https://policy.ku.edu/civil-rights/mandatory-reporting
● Nondiscrimination, Equal Opportunity, and Affirmative Action
o https://policy.ku.edu/IOA/nondiscrimination
● Sexual Harassment
o https://policy.ku.edu/civil-rights/sexual-harassment
● Student Rights and Responsibilities
o https://policy.ku.edu/student-affairs/student-code
● Racial and Ethnic Harassment Policy
o https://policy.ku.edu/civil-rights/racial-ethnic-harassment-policy
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Course Schedule
Date Topic Assignment

Mon, 8/21 First Day of Class Response Paper #1 due 8/22 11:59 PM CST

Wed, 8/23 plan for the lab Discuss Reading: Ch. 1

Thu, 8/24 stimulus programming lab Lab Report #1 due

Mon, 8/28 data analysis Response Paper #2 due 8/29 11:59 PM CST

Wed, 8/30 plan for the lab Discuss Reading: Ch. 13

Thu, 8/31 Electrodermal Activity Lab Lab Report #2 due

Wed, 9/6 data analysis Response Paper #3 (Ch. 12) due 9/5 11:59 PM CST

Thu, 9/7 Electrocardiogram Lab Lab Report #3 due

Mon, 9/11 data analysis Response Paper #4 due 9/12 11:59 PM CST

Wed, 9/13 plan for the lab Discuss Reading: Chapter 10

Thu, 9/14 Respiration Lab Lab Report #4 due

Mon, 9/18 data analysis Response Paper #5 due 9/19 11:59 PM CST

Wed, 9/20 plan for the lab Discuss Reading: Chapter 2

Thu, 9/21 Group 1 Lab Report #5 due

Mon, 9/25 data analysis Response Paper #6 due 9/26 11:59 PM CST

Wed, 9/27 plan for the lab Discuss Reading: Chapter 3

Thu, 9/28 Group 2 Lab Report #6 due

Mon, 10/2 data analysis Response Paper #7 due 10/3 11:59 PM CST

Wed, 10/4 plan for the lab Discuss Reading: Chapter 4

Thu, 10/5 Group 3 Lab Report #7 due

Mon, 10/9 data analysis Response Paper #8 due 10/10 11:59 PM CST

Wed, 10/11 plan for the lab Discuss Reading: Chapter 5

Thu, 10/12 Group 4 Lab Report #8 due

Wed, 10/18 data analysis & plan for the lab

Thu, 10/19 Group 5 Lab Report #9 due

Mon, 10/23 data analysis Response Paper #9 due 10/24 11:59 PM CST

Wed, 10/25 plan for the lab Discuss Reading: Chapter 6

Thu, 10/26 Group 6 Lab Report #10 due

Mon, 10/30 data analysis

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Wed, 11/1 plan for the lab

Thu, 11/2 Group 7 Lab Report #11 due

Mon, 11/6 data analysis

Wed, 11/8 plan for the lab

Thu, 11/9 Group 8 Lab Report #12 due

Mon, 11/13 data analysis

Wed, 11/15 plan for the lab

Thu, 11/16 Group 9 Lab Report #13 due

Mon, 11/20 data analysis

Mon, 11/27 data analysis

Wed, 11/29 plan for the lab

Thu, 11/30 Group 10 Lab Report #14 due

Mon, 12/4 data analysis Response Paper #10 due 12/5 11:59 PM CST

Wed, 12/6 plan for the lab Discuss Reading: Chapter 15

Thu, 12/7 Polygraph Lab Lab Report #15 due