aVLEP06 Evolutionary Psychiatry and Psychology

Faculty of Medicine
spring 2026
Extent and Intensity
0/2. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Synchronous online teaching
Teacher(s)
MUDr. Kamil Ďuriš, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
RNDr. Miriam Nývltová Fišáková, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
RNDr. Miriam Nývltová Fišáková, Ph.D.
Department of Physiology – Theoretical Departments – Faculty of Medicine
Contact Person: RNDr. Miriam Nývltová Fišáková, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Physiology – Theoretical Departments – Faculty of Medicine
Timetable
Mon 17:00–18:40 Virtuální místnost
Prerequisites (in Czech)
( aVLAN0222p Anatomy II - lec. || VLAN0222p Anatomy II l || aZLAN0222p Anatomy II - lecture || ZLAN0222p Anatomy III - lecture || EMAN0222p Anatomy II - lecture ) && ( aVLFY0422p Physiology II - lecture || VLFY0422p Physiology II - lecture || aZLFY0422p Physiology II - lecture || ZLFY0422p Physiology II - lecture || EMFY0422p Physiology II - lecture ) && aVLEM05 Evolutionary Medicine
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 35 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 7/35, only registered: 3/35, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 1/35
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Abstract
After completing the course, the student should be able to understand the evolutionary nature of the functioning of the human brain, psychology and pathology. And will be able to look at mental illness from a different perspective and in the broad context of the evolution of our species in relation to other organisms and our adaptations throughout evolution.
Learning outcomes
The student will be able to apply the latest findings from evolutionary biology and genetics to the study of mental health and illness; will be able to apply this knowledge in clinical practice; will be able to apply knowledge about why some adaptations persist in the population that are disadvantageous from our point of view, and how to approach them in clinical practice.
Key topics

01          Introduction to evolutionary medicine

02          The human brain and introduction to evolutionary psychiatry

03          Human life history and causes of psychopathology

04          Neurocognitive disorders; personality disorders

05          Forensic aspects of psychiatric disorders; sexual dysfunctions

06          Autism spectrum disorders; attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder    

07          Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders; anxiety disorders; depressive disorders

08          Trauma/stressor-related disorders; somatic symptoms and related disorders

09          Feeding and eating disorders; addictions

10          Bipolar spectrum disorders; schizophrenia spectrum disorders

11          Psycho-hygiene I – circadian rhythms and optimal sleep hygiene

12          Psycho-hygiene II – diet, physical activity, social and emotional wellbeing

13          Psychohygiene III – cultural and religous aspects of wellbeing

Study resources and literature
    recommended literature
  • BRÜNE, Martin. Textbook of evolutionary psychiatry and psychosomatic medicine : the origins of psychopathology. Second edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2015, xxvii, 456. ISBN 9780198717942. info
Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements (in Czech)
Zápočet bude udělen za docházku se třemi omluvenými absence mi.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/med/spring2026/aVLEP06