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    Behav Nsci2022 - Lecture1-2

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    Cansin Erdogan
    This document provides an overview of an introductory lecture on behavioral neuroscience. It discusses why the study of behavioral neuroscience is important, as it can change perspectives on mental health and improve conditions. Neuroscience aims to understand how the brain produces behavior and cognition. The scientific method is then introduced as the approach used in neuroscience, involving observation, hypothesis formation, experimentation, and interpretation. Control groups, falsifiability, and statistical analysis are discussed as key aspects of the experimental process. The document emphasizes that science is conducted by humans and so is imperfect, but open science aims to make research more transparent.

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    Behav Nsci2022 - Lecture1-2

    Uploaded by

    Cansin Erdogan
    13 views17 pages
    This document provides an overview of an introductory lecture on behavioral neuroscience. It discusses why the study of behavioral neuroscience is important, as it can change perspectives on mental health and improve conditions. Neuroscience aims to understand how the brain produces behavior and cognition. The scientific method is then introduced as the approach used in neuroscience, involving observation, hypothesis formation, experimentation, and interpretation. Control groups, falsifiability, and statistical analysis are discussed as key aspects of the experimental process. The document emphasizes that science is conducted by humans and so is imperfect, but open science aims to make research more transparent.

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    This document provides an overview of an introductory lecture on behavioral neuroscience. It discusses why the study of behavioral neuroscience is important, as it can change perspectives on mental health and improve conditions. Neuroscience aims to understand how the brain produces behavior and cognition. The scientific method is then introduced as the approach used in neuroscience, involving observation, hypothesis formation, experimentation, and interpretation. Control groups, falsifiability, and statistical analysis are discussed as key aspects of the experimental process. The document emphasizes that science is conducted by humans and so is imperfect, but open science aims to make research more transparent.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    13 views17 pages

    Behav Nsci2022 - Lecture1-2

    Uploaded by

    Cansin Erdogan
    This document provides an overview of an introductory lecture on behavioral neuroscience. It discusses why the study of behavioral neuroscience is important, as it can change perspectives on mental health and improve conditions. Neuroscience aims to understand how the brain produces behavior and cognition. The scientific method is then introduced as the approach used in neuroscience, involving observation, hypothesis formation, experimentation, and interpretation. Control groups, falsifiability, and statistical analysis are discussed as key aspects of the experimental process. The document emphasizes that science is conducted by humans and so is imperfect, but open science aims to make research more transparent.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    of 17

    Behavioral Neuroscience

    Lecture 1:
    Why Study Behavioral Neuroscience?
    Behavioral neuroscience
    Behavior is the collection of observable
    actions an animal or a human produces.

    Cognition is the sum of mental processes.

    Both behavior and cognition are produced


    by the brain.
    Why study neuroscience?
    Neuroscience changes the perspective on
    the self, others and society.

    The plasticity of the brain suggests that


    behavior and cognition can be changed.
    Why study neuroscience?
    Mental disorders and neurological diseases
    are some of the most destructive
    conditions.

    Mental disorders are often stigmatized in


    society, but neuroscience can help to
    deepen the understanding of these
    conditions.
    Why study neuroscience?
    Novel technologies might aid in changing
    the brain for the better.

    This could help medical conditions and


    could also improve the human condition.
    Readings for next week
    Newfound Brain Switch Labels Experiences as Good or Bad
    A molecule tells the brain whether to put a positive or negative spin on events. Mental
    disorders may result when the up/down labeling goes awry

    Why You Can’t Remember Being Born: A Look at ‘Infantile Amnesia’


    Infants can form memories, just not the kind that recalls specific experiences

    Why Do Mental Illnesses—From Depression to Schizophrenia—Raise the Risk of


    Dementia?
    A combination of biological and social factors most likely explain the strong
    connection
    Behavioral Neuroscience
    Lecture 2:
    Introduction to the Scientific Method
    The scientific method
    It is a method for acquiring knowledge.

    Observation is the first step.

    Hypotheses are formulated based on the


    observations through induction.

    Experiments are planned to evaluate


    hypotheses.

    Interpretation is the next step, that relies


    on deduction and skepticism.
    Falsifiability
    Karl Popper - The Logic of Scientific
    Discovery (1934) - introduced falsifiability
    as a basis for scientific theory

    A hypothesis is falsifiable if it can be


    contradicted by an empirical test.

    Claims that are not falsifiable are not


    considered scientific claims (e. g.
    psychoanalytic theory).
    Experimental approaches in neuroscience
    The main question in neuroscience is how
    the brain produces behavior and
    cognition.

    To answer this question, neuroscientists


    usually observe biological processes in the
    brain and behavioral responses (that may
    index cognition) in parallel.
    Control groups
    Control groups are
    frequently used in
    experimental design to
    see if a certain state or
    intervention has an
    effect.
    Control vs ecological validity
    Experimental observations are more
    reliable if the environment in controlled.

    However, these observations are not


    necessarily valid, as environmental
    features may be central to certain
    behaviors.
    Analysis of experimental data
    Statistical methods are used to judge if the
    measured differences between groups
    could be due to random variation or are
    statistically significant.

    Classic null-hypothesis significance testing


    is slowly replaced by the Bayes factor,
    which gives an estimate of the likelihood
    of one hypothesis over the other.
    Scientific theory
    Scientific theories are explanations of
    some aspect of the natural world that are
    based on a body of empirical research.

    Scientific theories must be falsifiable.

    Currently held scientific theories stood


    the test of time.
    Science is done by humans
    Theoretically, the scientific
    method is the most reliable
    method to understand the
    natural world.

    However, humans can


    introduce mistakes in any
    step of this process, be it
    accidental or voluntary.
    Open Science
    Modern technology enables the sharing of
    all experimental data and analyses, which
    is in accord with the original formulation
    of the scientific method.

    Open Science is a movement that aims to


    make scientific research transparent and
    accessible.
    Thank you for your attention!
    Next class: Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience

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