PSY/103 Syllabus

Course Syllabus
College of Social Sciences PSY/103 Introduction to Psychology
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Course Description This course provides an overview of basic psychological principles that underlie human behavior and reactions to everyday life. Students are provided an opportunity to apply critical-thinking skills to psychological problems and issues. The basic tenets of psychology are presented from a historical perspective, with attention to researchbased behavioral science. Policies Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents: University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document. Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum.

University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies governing your current class modality. Course Materials Carpenter, S., & Huffman, K. (2010). Visualizing psychology (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. All electronic materials are available on the student website.

Week One: Introduction to Psychology

Details
Objectives 1.1 Describe the development of the discipline of psychology. 1.2 Compare and contrast research methods used to examine psychological phenomena. 1.3 Explain biological influences on the human brain. Read Ch. 1 & 2 of Visualizing Psychology. Review this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings. Participate in class discussion a minimum of 8 posts weekly: 2 posts, 4 days per week. Respond in the Class Forum to weekly discussion questions (found later in this syllabus). Complete the Origins of Psychology and Research Methods Worksheet located on the student web page. Throughout Week 1. 2/18/12 2/20/12 2 2 5

Due

Points

Readings Participation Discussion Questions Individual Origins of Psychology and Research Methods Worksheet

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Week Two: Awareness and Learning

Details
Objectives 2.1 Identify processes related to sensing and perceiving information from the environment. 2.2 Describe factors that influence states of human consciousness. 2.3 Distinguish between different types of learning. Read Ch. 46 of Visualizing Psychology. Review this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings. Participate in class discussion a minimum of 8 posts weekly: 2 posts, 4 days per week. Respond in the Class Forum to weekly discussion questions (found later in this syllabus). Resource: Visualizing Psychology Read questions 1, 2, & 4 located in Critical and Creative Thinking Questions in Ch. 4 of Visualizing Psychology. Answer each question in at least 50 words. Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper describing a single, informal learning experience that someone could have. You may describe, for example, how someone could become afraid of heights, why a particular food or smell moves him/her emotionally, or why he/she dislikes elevators. The experience must be concrete and can be a singular experience or an experience that occurs over a longer period. Describe the experience by applying learning theories to the steps involved in the learning experience. Be sure to include the following in your paper Identify what you learned from the experience or experiences. Throughout Week 2. 2/25/12 2/27/12 2 2 5

Due

Points

Readings Participation Discussion Questions Individual Critical and Creative Thinking Questions I Individual Learning Experience Paper

2/27/12

10

Describe how your learning could have occurred through classical conditioning. Identify the unconditioned stimulus, the unconditioned response, the conditioned stimulus, and the conditioned response. Explain how your learning could have occurred through operant conditioning. Describe the behavior, consequence, and reinforcement. Indicate the schedule of reinforcement, if applicable. Address how your learning could have occurred through cognitive-social learning. Conclude by comparing and contrasting classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and cognitive-social learning.

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Include at least two references from the University Library. Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. Learning Team Charter As a team, complete the team charter form found in the materials section of the classroom. 12/27/11 2

Week Three: Remembering, Feeling, and Thinking

Details
Objectives 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Describe influences on memory functions. Explain relationships among motivation, emotion, and behavior. Evaluate major theories of emotion. Summarize relationships among thinking, intelligence, and creativity.

Due

Points

Readings Participation Discussion Questions Individual Remembering, Feeling, and Thinking Worksheet Learning Team Influences on Behavior and Psychological Disorders Presentation Outline

Read Ch. 7, 8, & 11 of Visualizing Psychology. Review this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings. Participate in class discussion a minimum of 8 posts weekly: 2 posts, 4 days per week. Respond in the Class Forum to weekly discussion questions (found later in this syllabus). Complete the Remembering, Feeling, and Thinking worksheet located on the student web page. Throughout Week 3. 3/3/12 3/5/12 2 2 6

Create an outline for Week Fives Influences on Behavior and Psychological Disorders Presentation. Include the following: Introduction o o Include all introductory points. Include a thesis statement.

3/5/12

10

Body of presentation (in outline form) o Address all main topics and subtopics in the body of the presentation. o Cite original works within the body of the outline following APA guidelines.

Conclusion: Include preliminary concluding statements. Reference list: List four references formatted using APA guidelines.

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Week Four: Development: Physical and Self

Details
Objectives 4.1 Describe influences on physical and cognitive development. 4.2 Explain theories of social, moral, and personality development. 4.3 Compare and contrast personality theories. Read Ch. 9, 10, & 12 of Visualizing Psychology. Review this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings. Participate in class discussion a minimum of 8 posts weekly: 2 posts, 4 days per week. Respond in the Class Forum to weekly discussion questions (found later in this syllabus). Developmental psychology seeks to address various aspects of human development, including physical, cognitive, social, moral, and personality development. Discuss the influences on physical and cognitive development in a 1,050- to 1,400-word paper. Select one of the following stages of development as the focus of your paper. Infancy (birth to 1 year) Early Childhood (2-6 years) Middle Childhood (6-12 years) Adolescence (12-18 years) Early Adulthood (18-40 years) Middle Adulthood (40-60 years) Late Adulthood (60+ years) Throughout Week 4 3/10/12 3/12/12 2 2 15

Due

Points

Readings Participation Discussion Questions Individual Lifespan Development and Personality Paper

Address the following in relationship to the stage of development selected: What factors affect physical development? Consider both hereditary and environmental influences. Provide examples. What factors affect cognitive development? Consider both hereditary and environmental influences. Provide examples. What factors affect social, moral, and personality development? Describe the factors by explaining at least two theoretical perspectives associated with moral, social, and personality development. Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. Include at least two references from the University Library. Learning Team Outline Final Draft Discuss with your team and submit any changes/additions/suggestions provided you from the feedback your team received on your outline. In other words, resubmit your outline from week three with any indicated changes made (from the feedback you received), even if the changes are minor. 3/12/12 2

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Week Five: Psychological Health and the Social Context

Details
Objectives 5.1 Explain the role of biological influences on physical and mental health. 5.2 Evaluate the role of various therapies in treating maladaptive behavior or mental illness. 5.3 Identify social influences on human thought, feelings, and behavior. Read Ch. 3 & 1315 of Visualizing Psychology. Review this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings. Participate in class discussion a minimum of 8 posts weekly: 2 posts, 4 days per week. Respond in the Class Forum to weekly discussion questions (found later in this syllabus). Resource: Visualizing Psychology Read questions 1-6 located in Critical and Creative Thinking Questions in Ch. 15 of Visualizing Psychology. Answer each question in at least 75 words. Some psychologists specialize in the study and treatment of psychological disorders, such as schizophrenia, mood disorder, eating disorders, and anxiety disorders. For your Learning Team presentation, research and explain various elements that influence physical and mental health and behavior. Create a 15- to 20-slide Microsoft PowerPoint presentation on one of the following psychological disorders: Depression Bipolar disorder Anorexia nervosa Antisocial personality disorder Obsessive-compulsive disorder Schizophrenia Borderline personality disorder

Due

Points

Readings Participation Discussion Questions Individual Critical and Creative Thinking Questions II Learning Team Influences on Behavior and Psychological Disorders Presentation

Throughout Week 5. 3/17/12 3/19/12

2 2 5

3/19/12

20

Include the following in the presentation: Describe the general behaviors associated with the disorder. o Explain how biological influences play a role. o Are there biological reasons why an individual may exhibit behaviors related to the disorder? Explain your answer. Describe how altered states of consciousness related to sleep, psychoactive drugs, or meditation and hypnosis affect

PSY/103 Syllabus

individuals with the disorder. Describe how the disorder could affect memory. o Provide a brief description of any biological influences on the memory of individuals with this disorder. o Are there any memory distortions commonly involved with the disorder? o Select two personality theories. Compare and contrast the theories, describing each theorys application to your chosen disorder. o Evaluate the effectiveness of at least two therapies used to treat the disorder. Incorporate at least four scholarly references. Include detailed speaker notes on each slide. These are PowerPoint presentations with detailed speakers notes included. Format your presentation consistent with APA guidelines.

Required Discussion Questions Week One Discussion Questions The scientific method is the basis in the study of psychology. How can the study of human nature, which some argue can be unpredictable, be a scientific process? Psychologists use critical thinking and scientific evidence to meet the goals of psychology. What other areas could psychologists work in besides therapy? What skills do psychologists possess to support those other areas? Consider searching the American Psychological Associations website at http://apa.org/ for a comprehensive list of subdisciplines. Where do you stand on the nature versus nurture debate? What do you think influences our daily behaviors and decisions more, nature or nurture? Why?

Week Two Discussion Questions Josh and Jane enter a crowded party hosted by a casual acquaintance. Overwhelmed by all of the sights, sounds, and smells, they start to size up the room, noting jocks by the bar and nerds standing outside. What are the perceptual processes involved in these types of perceptual interpretations? In what ways do your own perceptual sets create interpretations like this? Can we change our perceptual sets and interpretations? If so, provide an example of a time when you changed a perceptual interpretation.

The reasons why people dream have continually been a mystery. Do you agree with Freuds explanation of dreaming? Why or why not? How does hypnosis work? Why do you believe it seems to work more effectively with some individuals than with others?

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Week Three Discussion Questions In a typical workday, which of the needs noted in Maslows hierarchy motivates you to engage in various activities? Provide specific examples. How do you define creativity? Are we all creative? What types of things do you think display creativity? Provide explanations for your responses. What are the differences between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation? Do you believe that age and gender are influences that drive one to be more intrinsically or extrinsically motivated? Why or why not? Week Four Discussion Questions Because most Americans do not practice rites of passage, how do we know when adolescence ends and adulthood begins? What psychological features do we expect to see in adults? Do you believe that all individuals experience Eriksons eight stages of psychosocial development? Why or why not? Objective personality tests are frequently used in hiring practices. Do you agree or disagree that this is a valid hiring practice? Why?

Week Five Discussion Questions How are groupthink, conformity, and obedience similar? How are they different? Have you experienced conformity in a beneficial or detrimental way? Which type of therapy is most interesting to you? Why? Please be encouraged to bring into your response the psychological perspectives covered in week one. What are the benefits and risks of using diagnostic labels to describe maladaptive behavior? Explain your answers.

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