What is special about the human brain ?

  • Teaching

    Details

    Faculty Faculty of Humanities
    Domain Psychology
    Code UE-L25.01487
    Languages English
    Type of lesson Cours bloc
    Level Master
    Semester AS-2026

    Schedules and rooms

    Summary schedule This course is given in block format. Please consult the exact dates under the "Dates and Rooms" tab.

    Teaching

    Responsibles
    • Rossion Bruno Yves Nicolas
    Teachers
    • Rossion Bruno Yves Nicolas
    Description

    What is special about the human brain?

    Differences and similarities with other animal species

    Bruno Rossion (Directeur de Recherche, Institut des Sciences Cognitives-Marc Jeannerod, CNRS)

    This course will attempt to answer the following question: Does the human brain present with specific features compared to the brain of other animal species?

    This question will be put in context, opposing two extreme views on this issue (i.e., no specific features vs. a unique brain), and addressed through both quantitative (i.e., do humans truly have a disproportionately large brain? Why and does it matter?) and qualitative aspects (relative size of neocortex, of different brain regions, fiber tracts, hemispheric asymmetry, cytoarchitectony, interindividual variability, plasticity, genomics…).

    The course will address the questions at a general level and with reference to language function and brain networks. A focus will be made on (human) evolution of the temporal lobe and face recognition, comparing humans to other primates in particular in terms of brain structure and behavior, and arguing for specificity of the neural circuitry for holistic face identity recognition in our species.

    Exam: Written essay
    Softskills No
    Available online No
    Off field No
    BeNeFri No
    Mobility No
    UniPop No
  • Dates and rooms
    Date Hour Type of lesson Place
    20.11.2026 09:15 - 17:00 Cours RM 01, Room C-01.109
    21.11.2026 09:15 - 17:00 Cours RM 01, Room C-01.109
  • Assessments methods

    Written paper - AS-2026, Session d'hiver 2027

    Assessments methods By rating
    Descriptions of Exams

    Written Essay.

    Written paper - SS-2027, Session d'été 2027

    Assessments methods By rating
    Descriptions of Exams

    Written Essay.

    Written paper - SS-2027, Autumn Session 2027

    Assessments methods By rating
    Descriptions of Exams

    Written Essay.

    Written paper - AS-2027, Session d'hiver 2028

    Assessments methods By rating
    Descriptions of Exams

    Written Essay.
  • Assignment
    Valid for the following curricula:
    Clinical Neuroscience 30 [MA]
    Version: SA25_MA_PS_fr_de_bil_v01
    Fondements en neurosciences cognitives
    Cognitive Neuroscience 30 [MA]
    Version: SA25_MA_PS_en_v01
    Fondements en neurosciences cognitives
    Developmental Neuroscience 30 [MA]
    Version: SA25_MA_PS_fr_v01
    Fondements en neurosciences cognitives
    MSc in Sport Sciences, option Health and Research [MA] 90
    Version: 2023_1/v_02
    MSc in Sport sciences, Health and research; practical-methodolical formation > MSc-SP, option Health and Research, elective courses (from AS2024 on)
    Psychology 30 [MA]
    Version: SA26_MA_P2_fr_de_bil_v01
    1 module à choix > Fondements en neurosciences cognitives
    Psychology 30 [MA]
    Version: SA22_MA_PS_fr_de_bil_v01
    Option Cognitive Neuroscience > Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience – SCAN
    Option Work & Organisational Psychology > Sujets en neurosciences cognitives
    Option Clinical Neuroscience > Sujets en neurosciences cognitives
    Option Clinical Psychology & Health Psychology > 1 module à choix > Sujets en neurosciences cognitives
    Option Developmental & School Psychology > Sujets en neurosciences cognitives
    Psychology 30 [MA]
    Version: SA21_MA_PS_fr_de_bil_v01
    Option Work & Organisational Psychology > Sujets en neurosciences cognitives
    Option Clinical Neuroscience > Sujets en neurosciences cognitives
    Option Clinical Psychology & Health Psychology > 1 module à choix > Sujets en neurosciences cognitives
    Option Cognitive Neuroscience > Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience – SCAN
    Option Developmental & School Psychology > Sujets en neurosciences cognitives
    Psychology 90 [MA]
    Version: SA21_MA_PA_fr_de_bil_v01
    Options > Cognitive Neuroscience > Sujets en neurosciences cognitives
    Psychology 90 [MA]
    Version: SA22_MA_PA_fr_de_bil_v01
    Options > Cognitive Neuroscience > Sujets en neurosciences cognitives
    sp-MSc-EBR, option Infection, Inflammation and Cancer [MA] 120
    Version: 2022_1/V_01
    sp-MSc-EBR, option Infection, Inflammation and Cancer, courses and seminars (from AS2022 on) > sp-MSc-EBR, Common elective courses (from AS2022 on)
    sp-MSc-EBR, option Neuroscience [MA] 120
    Version: 2026_1/v_01
    sp-MSc-EBR, option Neuroscience, courses and seminars (from AS2022 on) > sp-MSc-EBR, Common elective courses (from AS2022 on)
    sp-MSc-EBR, option Tissue Degeneration and Regeneration [MA] 120
    Version: 2022_1/V_01
    sp-MSc-EBR, option Tissue Degeneration and Regeneration, courses and seminars (from AS2022 on) > sp-MSc-EBR, Common elective courses (from AS2022 on)