Psychology

The course Computational and Cognitive Neuroscience presents an overview of the core topics in cognitive and biological psychology. These topics include (human) perception, learning, memory, planning, problem solving, reasoning, language, speech, and action. Both the functional and neuroanatomical foundations of cognitive faculties are addressed. Several models of cognition and theories of brain function that are of relevance to knowledge engineering are outlined. Several skills trainings are given to train understanding in biological functioning of neuronal communication and functioning of neural networks and genetic algorithms.

This is a broadly based course focusing on musical experiences in different contexts, containing elements of music perception, music and emotions, music and motion, as well as music in different social contexts. The course gives an overview of relevant research within these fields.

What happens when you suddenly find yourself in the society of unknown rules and most of your previous knowledge is useless? What are the psychological pre-conditions but also consequences of the political changes in the 1990s and how can we account for them in psychological terms? How can we link it to some social issues moving the Czech society now? These are some of the key questions explored in this multidisciplinary course, which employs critical social psychology as its main theoretical source although other theoretical perspectives are also included. The course examines problems related to socialization in the totalitarian regime, demands political changes towards democracy put on individuals in the Czech society, and whether we can find traces of these unique experiences in the present day society. The communist regime was strongly linked with regulated socialization in chosen institutions and forced civil participation, which in fact resulted in people's retreat to private life and on an authentic community participation. The course examines the effects of the totalitarian past on the Czech society as a whole as well as on individuals and presents cultural specifics related to non-violent change of the society from totality to democracy. In addition, it analyzes the concept of the post-totalitarian syndrome in relation to some current issues in the Czech society, including xenophobia and prejudice towards immigrants and other minorities, and explores the changes in gender equality and the transformation of the health and social services, particularly in regard to mental health.

This course approaches forensic psychology as a field shaped by evidence, interpretation, method, and power. Students explore how police, courts, therapists, and predictive technologies translate lived experiences of harm into technical categories; risk, pathology, disorder, and how these translations influence decisions about victims and offenders. Students also critically analyze why victims sometimes remain attached to their perpetrators, drawing on emerging frameworks such as weaponized attachment.

This course describes and outlines the major theoretical approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders. It considers the historical development of the concept of mental illness/psychological disorder and examines the various lenses through which it is currently viewed. The course identifies contemporary diagnostic criteria for a range of disorders and critically evaluates the role of biological, social, cultural and economic influences in defining and diagnosing mental health. The course examines the application of various research methodologies to studying the causes of mental illness, along with current best-practice psychological and pharmacological interventions. Finally, ethical and legal implications of approaches towards psychological disorders are also considered.

In this course, students approach consumer psychology and behavior from a neuroscientific perspective. Students learn the fundamentals of brain anatomy and their functions in the context of marketing and management. This course also covers cutting-edge marketing research that uses biometric techniques such as eye tracking, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG), and students gain hands-on experience with some of these techniques and analysis of biometric data. Students learn how to apply insights from neuroscience not only in marketing and management, but also in their everyday life. 

This course examines the evolutionary origins and psychological mechanisms underlying human behavior, including social relationships, kinship, mating, parenting, cooperation, aggression, status, and culture.

We re-examine core topics in social psychology through the lens of evolutionary theory to develop a big-picture understanding of the adaptive nature of who we are. The focus is on building a strong foundational knowledge in evolutionary psychology, and continually asking why people think and behave the way they do.

Topics include Principles of Evolutionary Theory, The Science of EP: How to Think about It and How to Do It, Survival, Sex Differences, Mating Psychology, Public Controversies, Parenting, Kinship, Cooperation, Aggression, Status & Hierarchy, Development & Individual Differences, Psychological Extensions, and Evolutionary Medicine. 

Prerequisite: Social Psychology

The course considers the current theoretical conceptualizations of issues such as group decision making, performance, collaborative learning and intergroup conflict. Students look at the ways in which psychological theories relating to groups can be used to better understand and address issues across a range of applied settings, including the workplace and roles criminology graduates may enter. 

Students are shown how to use Electroencephalography (EEG) equipment to record and analyze data from the brain in real experimental situations. Students also investigate the manipulation of brain responses through Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and analyze data from functional magnetic resonance imaging. All teaching takes place in the form of practical sessions, allowing students to learn these approaches through real-life experience. This course is ideal for students seeking to take their first steps into psychological research using state of the art technology.

This course is broken up into five modules. Module one: Environmental Neuroscience; Defining "environment" and "natural environment;" how the brain perceives and responds to different environments, methodological and conceptual limitations of neuroscience in studying the human–environment relationship. Module two: The Impact of Environment on Humans; the concept of the exposome and cumulative environmental exposure, effects of environmental factors on brain function and neural processes, how environmental conditions shape brain structure over time, special populations: environmental effects on infants, older adults, and individuals undergoing neurorehabilitation, the consequences of pollution and climate change on physical and mental health,  psychophysiological responses to ecological crisis: eco-anxiety and related conditions. Module 3: The Human Impact on the Environment; psychosocial factors influencing pro-environmental behavior: social norms, diffusion of responsibility, stress, empathy, and perspective-taking, climate change and the limits of rational behavior: understanding cognitive and emotional barriers to action. Module 4: Environmental Sustainability and the Brain; neural correlates of sustainable behavior and reward processing, decision-making mechanisms in environmentally responsible choices, environmental activism: cognitive and emotional effects of engagement and advocacy. Module 5: Rethinking the Relationship: Environment as Subject, "plant blindness": cultural and perceptual neglect of plant life, plant cognition and behavior: emerging evidence of intelligent systems, bioethical and legal frameworks recognizing nature, ecosystems, and plants as subjects of rights.