Valeri Farmer-Dougan, Ph.D.

Associate Professor in the Departments of

Psychology and Biological Sciences

Illinois State University

Magnetic Resonance Imaging - Tools in Neuroscience!

P364-1:Motivation

Summer, 2001

M-Th 7:30-10:20 AM

DeGarmo 463

Dr.Valeri Farmer-Dougan

Learning Objectives:         Required Text:     Classroom activities:     Exams:

Academic Dishonesty     Final Grades:    Special Problems:    Lecture Schedule:

Study Guide for Test 1    Study Guide for Test 2

Syllabus:

Keep this syllabus; it contains reading assignments, test dates, grade information, and other items which will be of use throughout the semester.

Welcome to Psychology 364, the Psychology of Motivation. This course will integrate research and information from a wide range of psychology areas in an attempt to explain why humans and other animals behave the way that they do. In this class we will focus on the physiological, environmental, developmental, learning and cognitive aspects of behavior, in addition to examining more humanistic and psychodynamic approaches to motivating behavior. This is NOT a class on how to get motivated- it is class designed to help you understand why you might act the way you do.

Learning Objectives:

As a result of this course, you should be able to:

Utilize your knowledge of the scientific method to analyze information in the contemporary world.

	Understand the application of behavior change through learning as it applies to all phases of human living.
	More effectively apply the knowledge of the field of motivation to enhanced study habits.
	Address contemporary social issues--such as cultural bias in testing--from the perspective of an individual informed on the specific issues and knowledgeable in the use of empirical study to test ideas.
	Understand the nature of human motivation as it applies to your own life and to the lives of those around you--peers, family, and other individuals with whom you work in a professional or personal context.
	Recognize the psychological and physiological processes involved in the interpretation of sensory input (perception) and the role that one's experiences play in motivation.
	Be conversant with concepts such as hunger, thirst, aggression and understand the physiological bases for such regulatory behaviors.
	Obtain a sound foundation in the field of motivation which is applicable in one's day-to-day living
	Become sensitive to the scientific evolution of thought through the tracing of the evolution of theories in such areas as regulatory behaviors, social cognition, and motivation.
	Become familiar with the ethics involved in research with human and non-human subjects and legal and moral responsibilities of those individuals who work with both people and animals.
	Understand the personal dynamics of the individual within the myriad groups in which you live (social psychology).

Required Text:

The books used in this course will be Mook's Motivation: The Organization of Action, Second Edition. You will be held responsible for information that is in these books, but is not covered in class. These are available in the usual bookstore(s). You are responsible for the content in these materials, as well.

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES:

EXAMS:

There will be three (3) exams, each of which are worth 100 points. The exams will be designed as one hour exams, but you will have the entire class period to complete them. Each of these exams will be equally weighted. No comprehensive final exam will be given. Each exam will contain short answer and compare and contrast questions, as well as 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. Makeup exams will be given for true illness and extenuating circumstances

DAILY WORK:

There will be daily worksheets for the readings assigned in class. Daily homework will be graded as a "+" or "-", and will make up 5% of the final grade. Daily homework can ONLY be turned in on the due date. Each of the daily work assignments is worth 5 points, or a total of 60 points.

EXTRA CREDIT:

You may earn up to 5% of your final grade (1/2% per hour of experimental credit) participating in experiments listed on the Psychology Subject Pool board. You may also earn extra credit by reading journal articles that are related to class (1% per article review), or by completing an observation at Miller Park Zoo (note, the observation should take you about 20-30 minutes, and there IS a small admission fee of $4- but it's a great little zoo!). See me or visit my website for extra credit options!

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 exam, taking an exam for or assisting another individual with quiz or lab, performing or completing a class assignment or lab for another individual or having another individual perform or complete a class assignment or lab for you. Cheating is thus defined generally 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.

Final Grades:

Final grades are based on the following:

Tests: 4 tests:100 points each, 300 points total

Daily work: 60 points

Grades will be awarded on the following basis:

A: 92-100%

B: 84-91%

C 76-83%

D: 68-75%

F:67% or below

Special Problems:

If you have a disability, if English is your second language, or need other special considerations, please see me as soon as possible (that's before the first test!) to work out any special arrangements which might be needed. If you fail a test, please see me as soon as possible. I cannot help you after you have failed two or more tests!

Lecture 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 announce in class.

Week of Lecture Chapter (read before class)

May 21    The concept of motivation 				Chapter 1 and 2 
        22   Hunger and thirst				             Chapter 3
        23   Sex and Aggression				Chapter 4
        24   Biological Motives				Chapter 5

May 28     Memorial Day	       				NO CLASSES!!!!
        29   Test #1
        30   Energy and arousal				Chapter 6
        31   Drives and Rewards				Chapter 7

June 4      Reinforcement theories			 	Chapter 8		
        5     Planning and Decision theory		             Chapter 9 and 10	
        6	  Test #2
        7     Role of cognition					Chapter 11
       
June 11    Role of emotions					Chapter 12	
         12  "Social" motivation				Chapter 13
         13  Long term goals as motivation			Chapter 14
         14  Test #3

back to top