Introduction to Psychology

PSYC 1100

Psychology can be defined as the scientific study of mental processes and behavior. . While psychology is most often associated with clinical issues (i.e. abnormal, personality), this makes up only a small portion of the field. Other specialties within the field include, to name a few, physiological, social, organizational, and developmental psychology. We cannot understand ourselves or the individuals around us without looking at how we develop, how we behave in a social context, or the physiological components of our behavior. Thus, this course will serve as an overview of the major fields within psychology with an emphasis on developing an understanding of psychology as the science of human thought and behavior. We will also learn to critically evaluate "common sense" knowledge about how people function.

This course is coded for the Scientific Understanding goal in the General Education program. Scientific Understanding is defined as the analysis of the concepts of a scientific discipline and its methods, limitations, and impact in the modern world.

Course Objectives and Outcomes:

  1. Objective: To gain a better understanding of the field of psychology both historic and current.

    Outcomes: Students will be able to identify the major fields of study and theoretical perspectives within psychology and articulate their similarities and differences.

  2. Objective: To become familiar with the research methodology commonly used by psychologists. To become familiar with the scientific method, and examine the benefits and limitations of this method of inquiry as it relates to developmental psychology.

    Outcomes: Students will be able to differentiate between the major observational, correlational, experimental, and quasi-experimental designs used by developmental psychologists and articulate the benefits and limitations of each. Students will be able to critique various studies and theories based on this information.

  3. Objective: To become familiar with the biological bases of behavior.

    Outcomes: Students will be able to identify and discuss the biological bases of behavior on both the micro (e.g. neurocellular, neurophysiological, and neurochemical) and macro (e.g. central and peripheral nervous system) levels.

  4. Objectives: To develop an understanding of processes involved in learning and cognition.

    Outcomes: Students will be able to articulate the basic principles, major theories, and research concerning learning and cognition.

  5. Objective:To develop an understanding of the various types of development that an individual experiences across the life-course.

    Outcomes: Students will be able to discuss the major theories of development, critical research on development, and developmental concepts from across the life course.

  6. Objectives: To become familiar with the theories concerning psychological health and disorders.

    Outcomes: Students will be able to discuss the symptomatology, possible etiology, and proposed treatment for the major categories of psychological disorders.

  7. Objective: To become familiar with the theories concerning human behavior in a social context.

    Outcomes: Students will be able to identify and discuss the major theories and research from the area of social psychology.

  8. Objective: To become familiar with the rapidly growing body of literature on psychology.

    Outcomes: Students will be able to read current literature related to a specific psychological topic and write a paper discussing and evaluating this research.

  9. Objective: To further develop writing skills in conjunction with the use of APA format.

    Outcomes: Students will be able write their paper in APA format.

For Chapter Objectives, Practice Tests, Links, Flash Cards, select portions of the PowerPoint presentations used in class, and much more, go to

http://wps.prenhall.com/hss_wade_psychology_7_mru

or

http://wps.prenhall.com/hss_wade_psychology_8

Chapter Notes for your MP3 player (charge per chapter but Chapter 1 is free): VangoNotes

Links for Students