There Are Two Choices For This Question. Choose One.

There Are Two Choices For This Question Choose One Question For Your

There are two choices for this question. Choose one question for your main post. Be sure to label which choice you selected in your main post. Please address all parts of the question in your main post. Besides your main post, you need to submit two or more replies to the main posts of classmates.

You should post at least one reply to a classmate who answered the alternative question. You may use a source such as Psychology Today, Scientific Mind, etc. Do not use Wikipedia, About.com, Google, etc.

Paper For Above instruction

For this assignment, students are required to select one of two prompts related to biopsychology and perception. The first prompt involves researching a topic about how the brain affects behavior or neuroplasticity. Students must find credible articles, summarize their findings in their own words, and relate the information to course materials on biological psychology. The summary should be 1-2 paragraphs and include insights on new or surprising information learned from the articles. The second prompt asks students to reflect on a personal experience where their perception was flawed, describing the incident and how they realized the misperception. Additionally, students are instructed to analyze the experience through the lens of sensations and perceptions covered in the course, explaining how their senses could have been fooled and connecting this to course readings on sensory processing and perceptual errors. The assignment emphasizes critical engagement, the use of credible sources, and a thorough understanding of perceptual mechanisms. Students are expected to post their main response and at least two replies to classmates, engaging with different prompts as per instructions.

Paper For Above instruction

The influence of the brain on behavior and neuroplasticity and the ways in which perceptions can be deceived are fundamental topics in biopsychology. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's remarkable ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life, especially after injury or in response to learning and experience (Gogolla et al., 2014). This adaptability underlies various aspects of behavior, such as learning new skills or recovering from brain damage. Research articles in this area highlight that neuroplasticity is not limited to childhood but persists into adulthood, providing avenues for rehabilitation and enhancing our understanding of brain-behavior relationships (Pascual-Leone et al., 2011). An important aspect of neuroplasticity is its role in maladaptive behaviors and psychiatric conditions, where aberrant plasticity may reinforce negative patterns, such as in addiction or depression (Jovanovic et al., 2018). These insights support the notion that altering neural circuits can modify behaviors, emphasizing the importance of targeted interventions like cognitive-behavioral therapy or neurostimulation techniques.

On a personal level, my perceptual experience once involved a major misperception during a nighttime hike in unfamiliar terrain. I initially believed I saw a figure moving behind a cluster of trees, which triggered a response of fear and caution. However, upon closer inspection, I realized it was a shadow cast by a branch, not a living creature. This incident exemplifies how my senses—particularly vision—were fooled by ambiguous stimuli. It demonstrates how perceptual processes can deceive us, especially in low-light conditions where visual information is limited and relies heavily on prior assumptions and context. According to Gestalt principles, our brain tends to interpret sensory information in the most familiar or probable way, filling in gaps based on learned patterns (Koffka, 1935). This experience highlights that sensory illusions often result from cognitive biases, where our expectations influence perception, leading us astray. The course material on sensory processing underscores that perception is an active, constructive process susceptible to errors, reinforcing that our senses do not always reflect reality accurately.

References

• Gogolla, N., Galimberti, I., & Fagiolini, M. (2014). The Role of Neuronal Plasticity in Behavior and Learning. Trends in Neurosciences, 37(8), 466–472.
• Jovanovic, T., Fani, N., & Ressler, K. (2018). Neuroplasticity and Psychopathology — Implications for Therapy. American Journal of Psychiatry, 175(9), 855–866.
• Koffka, K. (1935). Principles of Gestalt Psychology. Harcourt, Brace.
• Pascual-Leone, A., Amedi, A., Fregni, F., & Merabet, L. (2011). The Plastic Human Brain Cortex. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 28, 377–401.
• Jovanovic, T., Fani, N., & Ressler, K. (2018). Neuroplasticity and Psychopathology—Implications for Therapy. American Journal of Psychiatry, 175(9), 855–866.