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Biopsychology, 11th edition

Published by Pearson (December 16, 2020) © 2021

  • John P.J. Pinel
  • Steven J. Barnes

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For courses in Physiological Psychology and Biopsychology.

A student-focused approach to how the central nervous system governs behavior

Biopsychology introduces the discipline through a unique combination of biopsychological science and personal, reader-oriented discourse. Authors John Pinel and Steven Barnes interweave the fundamentals of the field with clinical case studies, social issues, personal implications, useful metaphors and memorable anecdotes.

Throughout the 11th Edition, the authors incorporate 2 new themes that are quickly emerging in the field: thinking about epigenetics and consciousness. They also present up-to-date coverage of recent developments in the discipline.

Hallmark features of this title

  • Throughout the text, the authors emphasize the big picture, focusing on 4 broad themes: 1) thinking creatively about biopsychology, 2) clinical implications, 3) the evolutionary perspective, and 4) neuroplasticity.
  • Carefully selected case studies allow students to learn how biopsychological principles apply to the diagnosis and treatment of brain disorders.
  • Exclusive illustrations, many created by coauthor John Pinel and his artist/designer wife, Maggie Edwards, clarify and reinforce key content.
  • The authors emphasize the scientific method as a means of answering questions both in the laboratory and in daily life.
  • Personal and social messages encourage students to consider the relevance of biopsychological research to their lives outside the classroom.

New and updated features of this title

  • NEW: In the 11th Edition, the authors highlight 2 new themes that are quickly emerging from biopsychology literature: thinking about epigenetics and consciousness.
  • NEW: Coverage of recent developments reflects this rapidly progressing scientific field. Highlights include:
    • Expanded coverage of transgenerational epigenetics in Chapter 2
    • A thoroughly updated Chapter 7, now entitled Sensory Systems, Perception and Attention, with updated coverage of the subcortical auditory pathways, the organization and functions of the primary auditory cortex, the effects of auditory cortex damage, and more
    • Extensive updates to the coverage of stem cells and neurodevelopment in Chapter 9
    • A thoroughly revised Chapter 18, Biopsychology of Psychiatric Disorders, with coverage of the role of genetic, epigenetic, and neural factors for each psychiatric disorder, expanded coverage of theories of bipolar disorder, updated coverage of drug therapies for anxiety disorders and Tourette's disorder, and more

Features of Revel for the 11th Edition

  • Chalk It Up animations, created exclusively for this title by the authors and their collaborators, illustrate complex biopsychological processes, concepts and theories. These engaging chalkboard-based stop-motion animations inspire interest in important, challenging topics.
  • NEW: Integrated formative review questions, located at the end of modules and chapters, are new to the 11th Edition.

PART I: WHAT IS BIOPSYCHOLOGY?

  1. Biopsychology as a Neuroscience

PART II: FOUNDATIONS OF BIOPSYCHOLOGY

  1. Evolution, Genetics, and Experience
  2. Anatomy of the Nervous System
  3. Neural Conduction and Synaptic Transmission
  4. The Research Methods of Biopsychology

PART III: SENSORY AND MOTOR SYSTEMS

  1. The Visual System
  2. Sensory Systems, Perception, and Attention
  3. The Sensorimotor System

PART IV: BRAIN PLASTICITY

  1. Development of the Nervous System
  2. Brain Damage and Neuroplasticity
  3. Learning, Memory, and Amnesia

PART V: BIOPSYCHOLOGY OF MOTIVATION

  1. Hunger, Eating, and Health
  2. Hormones and Sex
  3. Sleep, Dreaming, and Circadian Rhythms
  4. Drug Use, Drug Addiction, and the Brain's Reward Circuits

PART VI: DISORDERS OF COGNITION AND EMOTION

  1. Lateralization, Language, and the Split Brain
  2. Biopsychology of Emotion, Stress, and Health
  3. Biopsychology of Psychiatric Disorders

About our authors

John Pinel obtained his Ph.D. from McGill University in Montreal and worked briefly at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology before taking a faculty position at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, where he is currently Professor Emeritus. Professor Pinel is an award-winning teacher and the author of more than 200 scientific papers. However, he feels that Biopsychology is his major career-related accomplishment: "It ties together everything I love about my job: students, teaching, writing and research."

Steven Barnes obtained his Ph.D. from the University of British Columba. He then worked as a postdoctoral fellow, first in the Department of Epileptology at the University of Bonn and then in the School of Interactive Arts and Technology at Simon Fraser University. He is currently an Associate Professor of Teaching, and Associate Head of Undergraduate Affairs, in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia.

Steven is well-regarded for his work related to online learning technologies (e.g., the Tapestry Project; see tapestrytool.com), student mental health and wellbeing, and bipolar disorder (BD). Steven co-directs the Collaborative Research Team to study psychosocial issues in BD (CREST. BD, see crestbd.ca), a BD research and knowledge exchange network, which received the 2018 Canadian Institutes for Health Research Gold Leaf Prize for Patient Engagement, Canada's most prestigious recognition for patient engagement in research across all health disciplines.

Steven is the recipient of multiple institutional awards for his teaching, including the prestigious Killam Teaching Prize and the 3M National Teaching Fellowship, the top national award given for teaching in any discipline in any postsecondary institution in Canada.

When he isn't teaching, writing or doing research, he engages in the production of traditional pieces of visual art as well as interactive electronic artworks, some of which have been exhibited at prominent international venues. He sees his involvement in the creation of this new edition of Biopsychology as a complement to everything he loves to do: teaching, writing, visual and interactive art, and research.

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