Methods and Techniques in Social Neuroscience

This course offers an overview and covers the basic concepts and principles of the methods and techniques used in social neuroscientific research, which include electroencephalography, structural and functional neuroimaging, non-invasive brain stimulation, hormone administrations, eye scanning and measurements from the autonomic nervous system. This course will provide a basis for other courses including neuropsychology, biological psychology, clinical and health psychology, cognitive neuropsychiatry, and cognitive neuroscience.
The following topics will be addressed:
Functional electroencephalography, structural and functional neuroimaging, psychophysiology (e.g. startle reflex, skin conductance, eye tracking), non-invasive brain stimulation, psychoneuroendocrinology and integrative neuroscience.

Aspects of academic development
Written assignment and exam

• Fundamental knowledge of methods and techniques
• Data acquisition and signal analysis
• Interpretation of data

Note: This course is the second out of four courses in all to make up the minor Social Neuroscience.
The entire course will be taught in English. This also includes assignments and exams.

After completion of this course the student will be able to:

• use his/her knowledge on the basic principles and experimental designs underlying the methods and techniques used in social neuroscientific research to evaluate method sections in published papers
• explain the basic steps in lab practices and analysis of physiological data
• address the strengths and limitations of neuroscience techniques

Relation between assessment and objective
The written exam will test:

• fundamental/theoretical knowledge on social neuroscience techniques, including biophysical principles of the the techniques and signal processing
• practical knowledge on social neuroscience techniques, including how to do measurements, task design, methodology and statistics
• a critical stance towards the pros and cons of the social neuroscience techniques

General overview of psychology and the biological foundations of behavior.

• Book Harmon-Jones & Beer (2009). Methods in Social Neurosience. New York: The Guilford Press. ISBN 978-1606230404.
• Items