Homework: In Taking Sides read Is Homosexuality Genetically Determined? Prepare two of the questions in bullet format.

November 11: Discussion on the problems of genetic research on sexuality. A look at other theories on how we are attracted to one another. Writing your results and discussion sections of your IA.

Homework: Read The Love Texts - three articles on the biology of love.

November 13: A look at evolutionary arguments of attraction and monogamy. Is there anything to be learned from this?

Homework: On Stroodle in your glossary, write three SAQ's using the material that we have studied so far. You must use three different pieces of research to answer the questions. 1. Identify one research method used by psychologists working within the biological perspective, and describe how this method has been applied in one empirical study; give the strengths and limitations of this method. 2. Discuss one theoretical exaplanation of behaviour from the biological perspective. 3. Discuss one basic assumption of the biological perspective, using one study to illustrate it. These will all be due on November 20. You should spend no more than one and a half hours on this assignment.

November 18: SL has period to work on their IA's. By now, all experiments should be completed. HL will meet with me at the beginning of the block to learn how to apply inferential statistics to their data.

Homework: Work on your results and discussion sections. Rough draft is due on November 26 - with works cited page.

November 20: Trip to military hospital

November 24: A discussion of stress.  What causes it? Are their classifications of stressors? Notes on how stress effects our immune system.   A discussion of personality typing and the research on heart disease and cancer.

Homework: Rough draft of IA is due next block.

November 26: Turn in rough drafts. How do we reduce stress?  A look at the research on how stress can be reduced.

Homework: Read Why Stress is Bad for your Brain (Biopsych) and Stress and the Brain.

November 28: In class free-write on the articles on stress. A look at the role of emotions on our mental health. An introduction to Mirror Neurons. A look at the Frontline special on Mirror Neurons and behaviour.

Homework: Go to The Nature of Things Click on “Launch feature” for the emotional brain. First, click on anger.  Then go to the multimedia links. Watch the video clip with Adriane Raine.  Take notes on what he argues about anger and brain wave patterns. Then click on happiness. Once again, go to multimedia links.  This time, listen to David Goleman. You should also explore the “brain” component in both the anger and the happiness sections of this site.

December 2: Wrapping up the biological perspective. What about ethics, culture, and gender?

Homework: Read The Politics of Biology. Be ready to discuss the article in class.