Fall 1995 Instructor: Dr. Nancy Hanna
PSY 111 C: MTWF 1:00-1:50 p.m. Science Hall 309, ex. 7317
Office Hours: MWF 10 a.m., T 11:30 a.m., Th 1 p.m., or by appointment
Text: Baron, R. A. (1995). Psychology (3rd ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Objectives:
Psychology is the science of human thought and behavior. Psychology attempts to explain how and why human beings think, feel, and behave as they do. Considering the vast range of human thought and behavior, psychology is, by definition, a broad discipline consisting of various subdisciplines. This course is designed to provide an introduction to selected subdisciplines within the field of psychology. The course introduces theories that attempt to explain particular aspects of human thought and behavior, and methods of inquiry used to research the different types of questions that psychologists address. Assignments and class activities are designed to encourage active learning and critical thinking about topics in psychology.
Assignments:
Reading assignments: Reading assignments are from the text book. It is recommended that you do the reading from each chapter before it is presented in class. This will allow you to participate in class more fully. In addition, not all of the material in each chapter will be covered in class. Reading as you go along will prevent you from falling behind in your study of the material.
Written assignments: There will be five lab-like assignments throughout the term for which each student will turn in a written report (30 points each--see course outline for due dates). Each assignment will be based on an experiment or class participation activity that is completed during class time. Each report should be 2-3 pages typed, double-spaced. Details for each assignment will be provided in handouts.
Class Participation:
Regular class attendance and participation are expected. There will be various in-class activities to encourage active participation and to enhance learning. Class participation will be worth a total of 60 points, 10% of the final grade.
Examinations:
There will be four examinations throughout the term. Each exam will include both objective and essay questions. The first and second exams will be worth 70 points each; the third exam, which cover slightly more material, will be worth 80 points. Dates for these exams are on the course outline. The final exam will be given during the final examination period. It will be a combination of questions about the material covered since the third exam (70 points) and a comprehensive final exam (100 points), worth a total of 170 points.
Course Outline:
The purpose of this outline is to provide a general structure for the course. We will attempt to follow the outline in order to cover the course material. Specific dates for each topic, however, are tentative. The outline may be modified slightly throughout the term if particular topics require more or less time than they have been allotted.
M 9/4 Course introduction
T 9/5 Ch. 1: Psychology: Its nature, scope, and methods
History; subdisciplines pp. 1- 18
W 9/6 Ch. 1: Psychology: Its nature, scope, and methods
Research methods pp. 19-27
F 9/8 Ch. 1: Psychology: Its nature, scope, and methods
Research methods, continued
M 9/11 Ch. 1: Psychology: Its nature, scope, and methods
Use of statistics and theories pp. 27-31
T 9/12 Ch. 1: Psychology: Its nature, scope, and methods
Ethics pp. 31-35
W 9/13 Group work for Assignment 1
F 9/14 Ch. 2: Biological bases of behavior
Neurons; neurotransmitters pp. 45-55
M 9/18 Ch. 2: Biological bases of behavior
Nervous system; brain structure pp. 56-67
ASSIGNMENT 1 DUE
T 9/19 Ch. 2: Biological bases of behavior
Brain lateralization pp. 68-72
W 9/20 Ch. 2: Biological bases of behavior
Endocrine system; complete chapter 2 pp. 72-77
F 9/22 EXAM 1
M 9/25 Ch. 5: Learning
Classical conditioning pp. 175-183
T 9/26 Assignment 2: Classical conditioning
W 9/27 Ch. 5: Learning
Complete classical conditioning; begin operant conditioning
pp. 183-192
F 9/29 Ch. 5: Learning
Operant conditioning pp. 193-204
M 10/2 Ch. 5: Learning
Observational learning pp. 205-213
ASSIGNMENT 2 DUE
T 10/3 Ch. 6: Memory
Approaches; short-term and long-term memory pp. 215-229
W 10/4 Assignment 3: Memory
F 10/6 Ch. 6: Memory
Forgetting; constructed memory pp. 229-245
M 10/9 Ch. 6: Memory
Biological basis pp. 245-253
ASSIGNMENT 3 DUE
T 10/10 EXAM 2
W 10/11 Ch. 8: Human Development I
Genetic influences (pp. 77-82); prenatal and infant development
pp. 295-302; 320-327
F 10/13 Ch. 8: Human Development I
Cognitive and moral development pp. 304-309; 313-319
----FALL BREAK----
W 10/18 Ch. 9: Human Development II
Adolescence pp. 335-347
F 10/20 Ch. 9: Human Development II
Adulthood/aging pp. 348-361; 365-368
M 10/23 Ch. 12: Individual differences II: Personality
Psychoanalytic approach pp. 459-470
T 10/24 Ch. 12: Individual differences II: Personality
Complete psychoanalytic; humanistic approach pp. 470-480
W 10/25 Ch. 12: Individual differences II: Personality
Trait theories; learning approach pp. 480-494
F 10/27 Complete chapter 12
M 10/30 Ch. 14: Psychological disorders
Perspectives; DSM-IV pp. 543-553
T 10/31 Ch. 14: Psychological disorders
Mood & anxiety disorders pp. 553-564
W 11/1 Ch. 14: Psychological disorders
Dissociative, personality, schizophrenia pp. 564-580
F 11/3 Ch. 15: Therapy
Psychological approaches pp. 585-598
M 11/6 Ch. 15: Therapy
Psychological approaches; biological approach pp. 611-615
T 11/7 Ch. 15: Therapy
Discussion: Effectiveness/benefits of therapy pp. 606-610
W 11/8 EXAM 3
F 11/10 Begin Ch. 11: Individual differences I
M 11/13 Ch. 11: Individual differences I
Intelligence pp. 415-426
T 11/14 Ch. 11: Individual differences I
Intelligence pp. 426-438
W 11/15 Ch. 11: Individual differences I
Complete intelligence; begin gender
F 11/17 Ch. 11: Individual differences I
Gender pp. 438-451
M 11/20 Assignment 4
T 11/21 Ch. 11: Individual differences I
Gender pp. 451-455
---THANKSGIVING BREAK---
M 11/27 Ch. 16: Social thought and social behavior
Social thought; attitudes pp. 625-642
ASSIGNMENT 4 DUE
T 11/28 Ch. 16: Social thought and social behavior
Social behavior pp. 642-661
W 11/29 Assignment 5: Social
F 12/1 Ch. 16: Social thought and social behavior
Complete social behavior
M 12/4 Ch. 13: Health, stress, and coping
Stress/stressors pp. 499-512
ASSIGNMENT 5 DUE
T 12/5 Ch. 13: Health, stress, and coping
Effects of stress; behavior & health pp. 513-532
W 12/6 Ch. 13: Health, stress, and coping
Promoting wellness pp. 533-538
F 12/8 Course wrap-up
Grading:
Final grades will be determined based on the total number of points earned from exams (390), assignments (150) and class participation (60), for a total of 600 points possible. Grades will be assigned as follows:
558-600 A
540-557 A-
522-539 B+
498-521 B
480-497 B-
462-479 C+
438-478 C
420-437 C-
402-419 D+
378-401 D
360-377 D-
Below 360 F
Extra Credit:
Throughout the semester, students will have opportunities to participate in research projects conducted by students and/or professors. Students may earn extra credit points by participating in projects that are presented during class time. For each half-hour of participation, a student will earn 3 points of extra credit. The maximum number of extra credit points permitted will be 21. STUDENTS MUST ACQUIRE THE SIGNATURE OF THE RESEARCHER ON THE ATTACHED FORM IN ORDER TO RECEIVE CREDIT. Bring the form with you to research sessions in which you participate throughout the term. DO NOT LOSE THIS HANDOUT--YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE EXTRA CREDIT WITHOUT IT. The handout will be collected at the end of the term.
A FINAL NOTE: Students are expected to do their own work both on exams and on assignments. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Assignments and exams are expected to be completed as scheduled. Exceptions may be made for extenuating circumstances (e.g., death in the family), but must be discussed with the instructor.
PSY 111 C Research Participation Form
Name:
Please have this form signed and the amount of time spent indicated by the researcher for each session in which you participate. You must have researchers' signatures to receive credit.
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