Biological Basis of Emotions, Stress and Mental Health

This course explores the biological mechanisms underlying emotion and stress and their influence on human behavior and mental health. Drawing on concepts from biological and clinical psychology, learners will examine the brain structures, neurotransmitters, and physiological processes involved in emotional regulation and the stress response, while gaining an understanding of how these mechanisms contribute to psychological well-being and common mental health conditions.

No Certificate / Course on Audit Track

About Course

This course explores the biological foundations of emotions, stress, and mental health through key concepts in neuroscience and psychology. Learners will examine how brain structures contribute to emotional processing and how the body responds to stress through the fight-or-flight response and HPA axis. The course also introduces the role of cortisol and the relationship between stress and emotional well-being. Finally, learners will explore the Diathesis-Stress Model and common mental health issues associated with prolonged or excessive stress.

Authorship and Attribution

This course has been curated by Riphah International University faculty and staff using publicly available third-party content and Open Educational Resources (OER) for self-paced learning. Learners will engage with curated open-access materials to achieve the course learning outcomes. All third-party content is used under open-access or fair-use policies, while any original materials are developed specifically for this learning experience.

Source and Credits:

Instructor: Introduction to Psychology
Provider: YouTube (@introductiontopsychology6947)
License: Standard YouTube license

Source and Credits:

Instructor: Psych Explained
Provider: YouTube (@PsychExplained)
License: Standard YouTube license

Source and Credits:

Instructor: Flipping Psychology AQA
Provider: YouTube (@flippingpsychologyaqa8283)
License: Standard YouTube license

Source and Credits:

Instructor: PsychExamReview
Provider: YouTube (@PsychExamReview)
License: Standard YouTube license

What You'll Learn

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Explain the biological foundations of emotion and their role in shaping human behavior.
Describe the functions of key brain structures involved in emotional processing.
Explain the physiological mechanisms underlying the stress response, including the role of the HPA axis and cortisol.
Discuss the role of major neurotransmitters in emotion regulation and stress.
Analyze the relationship between chronic stress, brain function, and mental health.

Prerequisites

Prior familiarity with basic psychological concepts such as emotion, stress, and human behavior. Ideally suited for undergraduate students or professionals seeking continuing education in psychology, counseling, education, or related behavioral sciences.

Who Can Take This Course?

This course is designed for undergraduate psychology students and learners in related disciplines who want to understand the biological mechanisms underlying emotion and stress. It is especially suited for individuals interested in exploring how brain structures, neurotransmitters, and physiological processes influence emotional regulation, behavior, and mental health. Students pursuing careers in psychology, counseling, education, and other behavioral sciences will benefit from this course’s integration of biological and psychological perspectives.

Course Outline

Module 1: Neuroscience of Emotions, Stress and Mental Health

Understanding Emotions

Biological Foundations of Emotion (Video)

Brain Structures Involved in Emotional Processing (Video)

Biological Mechanisms of Stress

Fight or Flight Response (Video)

HPA Axis and Cortisol (Video)

Stress, Emotions and Mental Health

Diathesis-Stress Model (Video)

Stress Related Mental Health Issues (Video)

Skills You Will Gain

Emotion Biology Understanding Brain Structure Knowledge Emotional Processing Skills Stress Response Understanding HPA Axis Knowledge Cortisol Function Understanding Diathesis-Stress Model Mental Health Awareness

Course Information

Duration

Approximately 1.3 Hours

Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Learning Mode

Fully Online (Asynchronous)

Learning Type

Self Paced

Language

English Only