Biological Basis of Behavior /
Introduction to Psychophysiology
45 Hours of CE Credit / Course Fee $550
Presented by Richard Sherman, PhD
Course Concept and Description: This course is the equivalent of a three credit course and provides 45 hours of CE credit. Students learn by watching audiovisual lectures provided on CDs, reading assignments both from materials provided on the CD and standard texts, and interacting with their instructor via e-mail. They answer short essay questions after each lecture rather than taking exams. Previous students have found that this course takes between 45 and 95 hours of actual work to complete.
This course explores the manifold ways the brain and body work together to produce behavior and the cycle between behavior and physiology. The course begins with a description of the body’s organizational structure and genetics as related to behavior. The basic physiological ways information is received from the external and internal environments through a variety of sensors and then processed by the hormonal / nervous system are described. Typical psychophysiological dysfunctions and interventions are also described. You should have taken undergraduate biology and psychology before taking this course.
Format: Home study supported by e-mail chats after each unit is completed. The lecture portion of the course is presented through a series of audiovisual lectures profusely illustrated by power-point slides. You will receive CDs containing both the audiovisual lectures and a copy of the slide set upon which the lectures are based so you can make notes on your copy of the slides as you attend the lecture. Reading assignments in the Pinel book parallel the lectures. There are no lectures for a few of the topics.After watching the lecture and reading the chapters, you will answer a brief series of questions. The answered questions are then e-mailed to the instructor. You and the instructor will discuss each unit via e-mail chat after your answers are assessed.
Getting Started: Course schedule and payment:The course costs $550 (exclusive of the texts). Payment can be made by credit card using our web site www.behavmedfoundation.org or by check in US Dollars made out to the Behavioral Medicine Research and Training Foundation and mailed to the letterhead address. Your course CD will be snail-mailed to you upon receipt of payment. You can begin at your convenience and progress through the course at your own pace.
Faculty: The course is given by Dr. Richard Sherman, Ph.D. He is certified by BCIA, approved by BCIA to teach the general biofeedback certification course, and currently teaches A&P for the Behavioral Medicine R& T Foundation. He is a professional psychophysiologist with extensive training (his Ph.D. is in biology / physiology), has over 30 years of experience in the field, and has published over 130 books, chapters, and articles (mostly in peer reviewed journals). Dr. Sherman is Dean of the psychophysiology doctoral program at the University of Natural Medicine and has held many positions within the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback including president. Full CV available upon request.
Required Text:
Pinel, John P.J., Biopsychology – 6th edition. 2005 / 6; Published by Pearson of Boston & New York.ISBN 0-205-42651-4. You may also use the 5th edition (2003) Needham Heights, MA: Allyn, & Bacon ,ISBN 0-205-34984-6. You may save money by ordering it on line from any of the large book venders such as Barnes & Nobel or Amazon.
Topics we will cover (Note: Each topic corresponds to one set of review questions.):
- Definitions and Concepts - what is this field and how does it relate to the rest of the world? (Lecture 1; Pinel chapter 1)
- Credibility of Information - research techniques, recognizing bad science (Lectures 2, 2.1, 2.2; Pinel chapters 1 and 5)
- Evolution and Behavioral Genetics - evolution of behavior and communication, genetics of behavior (Lecture 2.6; Pinel chapter 2)
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems - stomach brain, plastic homunculus (Lectures 3, 3.1, 3.2; Pinel chapters 3, 4, 8, 9, and 10)
- Hormones and Behavior - pheromones, sex, nerve - hormone interactions (Lecture 3.6; Pinel chapter 13)
- Mechanisms of Sensation/Perception - vision, hearing, touch (pain, electrical), smell, taste, balance/location, etc. (Lectures 4, 4.1; Pinel chapters 6 & 7)
- Motor control systems - (Lecture 4.4; Pinel chapter 8)
- Eating and Drinking - balance and disorders (Lecture 4.6; Pinel chapter 12)
- Biological Rhythms and Sleep (Lecture 4.8; Pinel chapter 14)
- Drug Addiction (Lecture 5; Pinel chapter 15)
- Learning, Language, and Memory (Lecture 5.4; Pinel chapters 11 & 16)
- The Malfunctioning Brain (Lecture 5.6; Pinel chapters 10 & 18)
- Emotions - stress, aggression, mental illness (Lecture 6; Pinel chapters 17 and 18)
- Psychophysiological interventions (Lectures 9, 9.2, 9.4)
End of outline
Administrative Info:
Please see left sidebar for the followings:
- Schedule
- CE Credit
- BCIA
- Computer and Computer Knowledge Requirements
- Refund, Cancellation, & CD Replacement Policies
- Multicourse Discounts
- Shipping of course materials
- Course Updates
Ordering Information: We accept credit cards (only Visa, Master Card, & Discover) and checks in US dollars through our secure shopping cart. All taxes and cost of shipping via regular mail are included in the price.

