General Information:   Office Hours      Required Text      Learning Objectives     Grading scale    Grades

Lecture notes and online readings and study guides!   Study guide #1   Study guide #2     Study guide #3      Study guide #4   Museum Assignment

Tuesday Class Meeting Information!

Welcome to Introductory Psychology!

What this course is and is not.

 

The course is intended for students planning to major in psychology. It introduces students to major concepts and vocabulary that form the core from which the major will build.  At times you might feel you are in a biology course rather than psychology. At times you might feel you are just learning facts and aren't "doing any psychology". At still other moments you might feel that we aren't focusing on you and your specific needs. This is because this course does not teach how to "do psychology", but what the discipline of psychology is, and how it fits into ways of knowing.       This is not a course in how to be a psychologist. You will NOT learn how to be a therapist, learn how to diagnose people, or even learn counseling skills. Practicing psychology requires a graduate degree, and not just an introductory level course.  Instead, this course is about introducing you to major concepts, history and theories critical to modern psychology.     For those of you hoping to major in psychology- this should provide you with a framework to develop your studies. For those of you who continue on in other majors, this course should provide you with a general background to physiology of the brain, learning, child development, and other areas that may be of interest to you.  Hopefully, it will help you begin to understand why humans think, act and feel the way they do.        One final caution: Even though this is a 100-level course, please do not allow yourself to get behind. Topics will build on one another over the course of the semester.  Keep this syllabus; it contains reading assignments, test dates, grade information, and other items that will be of use throughout the semester.

Required Texts:      The book used in this course will be Nairne's Psychology: The Adaptive Mind, 4th Edition.  t may be purchased in the various bookstores (e.g. University Bookstore, the Alamo II).   Your book should be either the paperback or hardback version that looks like this-->         You will also need to purchase the Taking Sides book. It looks like this. It, too, may be purchased in the various bookstores (e.g. University Bookstore, the Alamo II).             Note: You do NOT need to bring you book(s) to class each day. Generally, I will tell you if there is a need to bring a particular text for a given class period. However, you ARE responsible for reading the assigned material BEFORE class. I will assume that you have read the material and are prepared for class. I have listed the chapters for each day. Look at the topic(s) for that day and read that section (or more) for class. Tests WILL cover both lecture AND the book. If I said it in class, we watched it or read it in class, it was part of an assignment, or it is in your book- then it is fair game for the tests!                                                        back to top

Learning Objectives:    In keeping with the spirit of good learning principles, the Psychology Department has determined that, as a result of participating in this course, you should meet the following objectives:   Utilize your critical thinking skills in conjunction with knowledge of the scientific method to analyze theoretical viewpoints and data presented by contemporary psychology. Understand and critically analyze ways psychologists and their colleagues in related disciplines use to change human and animal behavior. Understand how people learn, think and remember. Address and critically analyze contemporary social issues such as the use of invasive methods of behavior change, evolutionary psychology to explain human behavior, and the ethics of behavior change and therapy, from the perspective of an  individual informed on the specific issues and knowledgeable in the use of empirical study to test ideas. Understand the course and nature of human development and analyze how it applies to one’s own life and to the lives of those around you--peers, family, and other individuals with whom one works in a professional or personal context. Recognize the psychological processes involved in the interpretation of sensory input   and evaluate the role that one's experiences play in this process. Be able to critically discuss societal issues such as the culture-specific definition of "adjustment" and the effects of labeling in the field of mental health. Become sensitive to the scientific evolution of thought by tracing the evolution of theories in such areas as intelligence, moral development, psychopathology, and therapeutic treatment. Become familiar with and critically discuss the ethics involved in research with human and non-human subjects and the legal and moral responsibilities of those individuals who work with both people and animals. Understand and critically analyze the personal dynamics of the individual within a social group  and the resulting effect of the group on individual behavior. Demonstrate an understanding of critical analysis, the role of theory, and of human behavior by showing an ability to listen to and critically analyze contrasting opinions without ridiculing, taunting or reacting with hostility to contrasting opinions. Rather, an individual with such skills responds with sound argumentation, rational responses and tolerance towards others.    These Objectives are consistent with Educating Illinois document. Please see this document for further details.   back to top

Exams:   There will be three (3) exams.  Each of these exams will be equally weighted.  You will have the entire class period to complete each exam.  No mandatory comprehensive final exam will be given; however, you will find that each test builds upon the last  (that is, if you understood the material from the previous test, it will make each progressive test much easier).  Each exam will contain short answer, compare and contrast questions, and several longer essay questions.  Tests will cover material from both the text and lectures.   IF FOR ANY REASON you miss a test, please see me immediately !    back to top

Tuesday Group Meetings:  Each week we will meet on Tuesday afternoons (3:35-4:50) to hear an expert speaker tell us about research in psychology. Sometimes we will also listen to panel discussion, view a special video, or discuss a relevant topic. Assignments will be given for each of these meetings, and attendance is required. The schedule of lecture sessions may be found here: Large group meetings   back to top

Laboratory exercises and in-class assignments    We will spend several class sessions conducting laboratories in addition to our weekly large group meetings.  Often, we will do the majority of each assignment as part of class, with you typing up the results and a discussion at home.  These assignments will be tied to the assigned readings and classroom activities.  Due dates and specifics about each assignment will be announced in class. These activities are worth a total possible 90 points.  back to top

Taking Sides papers:  You will be required to write two review papers on a topic in psychology as part of this course.  Your task will be to take a position, and defend it using the information from the articles you have read.  Importantly, you will be required to support your argument using evidence taken from the readings. Grading is based on how well you defend your position, use the available evidence, and show clarity of your argument. Deadlines will be announced in class for each of the assignments.  A complete description of the paper requirements may be found here: Taking Sides papers. The total possible points for the reaction papers will be 100 points (50 points per paper).   back to top

Research participation                      You are required to participate in 5 hours of research. Four of these hours will be spent as a participant in ongoing research within our department, and one hour may be earned through research participation on the Web.  A written report will be assigned after each research participation experience. These written reports are worth a total of 60 points (12 points each). The written report form may be found here: Research report form  If you choose NOT to participate in research, you may summarize one research article from the journal Psychological Science to replace each hour of research participation. A written summary report will be assigned for each of these readings, and may be found at: Psychological Science reports.  The written report form may be found here: Research Article report form  back to top

Academic Dishonesty:     Any cheating will not be tolerated. Cheating or plagiarism will result in an F in the course and referral to the Student Code Enforcement Review Board (SCERB) for disciplinary action. Cheating INCLUDES (but is not limited to): plagiarism of both published and unpublished written work, having another individual take or assist you with an online exam, taking an exam for or assisting another individual with an online quiz, performing or completing a class assignment or quiz for another individual or having another individual perform or complete a class assignment or quiz for you.  Cheating is thus defined as representing work that is NOT your own as your work or allowing your work to be represented as another’s' so that individual receives academic credit.  Violators of this policy will receive a failing grade on that assignment or quiz, a possible failing grade for the course, and referral to the department chair and the SCERB for disciplinary action.   back to top

FINAL GRADES:  A total of 550 points (300 for exams, 100 points for the papers, 90 points for in- class activities and 60 points for research participation) are available in the course.  Grades will be awarded on the following basis: A: 506-550 B: 462-505 C: 385-461 D: 330-384 F: 329 or below  back to top

Special Needs or Problems: If you have a disability, if English is your second language, you travel with a sports team, have unusual work circumstances, or you need other special considerations, please see me as soon as possible (that's before the first test!) to work out any special arrangements that might be needed.  If you fail a test, please see me as soon as possible.  We cannot help you after you have failed two or more tests!  Please Note: According to University Guidelines:  Any student needing to arrange a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability should contact Disability Concerns at 350 Fell Hall, 438-5853 (voice), 438-8620 (TDD).  They are there to ensure that you receive the help you need!! back to top

Lecture and Lab schedule The following is a tentative lecture schedule.  PLEASE NOTE THE READING ASSIGNMENTS.  You will understand the material better if you read the assigned material BEFORE the assigned date. Changes will be announced in class. You are responsible for any changes announced in class.   Note: There may be class activities/assignments (that earn points)n ANY given day in class....attendance is not taken, but daily attendance is MOST wise!!   Date Topic for lecture/Group meeting Pages to be read for  class     Exactly what IS psychology?    Reading: Ch 1,2     Aug 18 Intro: Psych as a science           pp 4-8 Group Meeting Introduction to the discipline         weekly assignment Aug 20 History of Psych  and Three Controversies in psychology                             pp 9-25 Aug 25 Methods of research in psychology                    pp 26-55 Group meeting Designing and Observing review 26-55; weekly assign Aug 27 Library day: Meet in Milner 164d bring library assign#1 TO CLASS     Can understanding the brain explain our behavior?    Reading:Ch 3     Sept 1 Neuron, synapse and action potential  pp 58-62 Group meeting Group Meeting: Brain and Behavior Relations! weekly assignment Sept 3 Neurochemistry and drugs pp 62-67 Sept 8 Neuroanatomy: the spinal cord to midbrain pp 67-73 Group Meeting Group Meeting:  Understanding Perception weekly assignment Sept 10 Neuroanatomy: Cerebral cortex                                  library assignment #2 due pp 73-89    Does seeing (or hearing or tasting or smelling or feeling) make it REAL?  Reading: Ch 5 (skip 4 for now!)     Sept 15 Vision: Anatomy of the Eye abd color vision pp135-144 Group meeting Perception and Behavior weekly assignment September 17 Perception: Interpreting what we see pp151-169 inclusive Sept 22 Audition and the other sense   Group meeting Group Meeting: Listening to Behavior   Sept 24 Test #1        How do we learn and is biology involved? Reading: Ch 7   Sept 29 Classical Conditioning pp213-226 Group meeting Group Meeting: Constructive Memory weekly assignment Sept 24 Operant conditioning pp 227-234 Sept 29 Biology and learning; social learning pp 235-237 Group meeting     Oct 01 Applied Behavior Analysis pp 237-242     How do we think, reason and remember? Readings: Ch 8,9   Oct 06 Memory and Forgetting (start chapter 8 pp 245-275 Group meeting     Oct 08 Language     (Start Chapter 9) pp 279-294 Oct 15 Problem Solving & Reasoning            pp 294-309 Group Meeting Group Meeting: The Children's Museum weekly assignment   Who we are: Our Personality Alone versus Group behavior. Readings: Ch 12, 13   Oct 17 Defining Personality , Trait theories and Freud pp 379-392 Oct 22  Neo-Freudians, Behaviorists, cognitivists, and Testing!             Taking sides paper #1 is due pp 392-407 Group meeting Group Meeting: Registering for Next  Semester with Karen Mark 4-year plan assignment Oct 24 Social Behavior: Judging Others pp 409-436 Oct 27 Test #2   Group Meeting     Oct 29 Stress                     Children's Museum activity due pp 517-547   Where did we come from? Using development to explain behavior of the individual   Reading: Ch 4   Nov 6 How do we develop? The beginnings pp 93-101 Group meeting Group meeting:   Do kids think rationally? weekly assignment Nov 8 Cognitive development and social development pp 101-122   Reacting to Change: Normal versus Abnormal? Readings: Ch 16, 14  (notice order)     Nov 13 Defining abnormal behavior and anxiety disorders pp 449-465, 471 Group meeting Group Meeting: Personalizing  Mental Illness weekly assignment Nov 15 Somatoform and personality disorders  pp 449-465, 471   Nov 20 Mood disorders pp 465-469 group meeting     Nov 22 Schizophrenia           Taking sides paper #2 is due pp 469-470; 472-482     Nov 26-30: Thanksgiving Break!!        Treating Mental Disorders: There is hope! Readings: Chapter 15   Dec 3 Treating disorders I    pp 485-492; 503-507   Group Meeting: A Panel of Experts weekly assignment Dec 5 Treating disorders II pp 493-502  Final Exam: TUESDAY December 9th from 7:50-9:50 AM (ugh!)                    in SCH 104 (our regular MWF classroom)

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