General Information:   Office Hours      Required Text      Learning Objectives     Grading scale

Lecture notes and online readings and study guides! Study guide #1

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 four (4) 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 150 points (75 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 700 points (400 for exams, 150 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: 630-700 B: 560-629 C: 490-559 D: 420-489 F: 419 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) on ANY given day in class....attendance is not taken, but daily attendance is MOST wise!!! Date and Topic for lecture/Group meeting Pages to be read for  class What exactly IS psychology?                                             Reading: Ch 1,2 Aug 18    Intro: Psych as a science                   pp 4-8         19    Group Meeting:                       Introduction to the discipline         weekly assignment         20    History of Psych                                      pp 9-16         22    Three controversies in                    Psychology                      pp16-25         25    Methods used to make                   Psychology a science pp 26-55 (know ALL of it even if not covered in class)   Can understanding the brain explain our behavior?          Reading: Ch 3         26    Group Meeting:                    Designing and Observing review 26-55; weekly assign         27    Library day: Meet in Milner 164d bring library assign#1 TO CLASS         29    Neuron, synapse and action potential  pp 58-62 SEP 01 LABOR DAY NO CLASS            02    Group Meeting: Brain and Behavior Relations! weekly assignment          03    Neurochemistry and drugs pp 62-67          05    Neuroanatomy: the spinal cord to midbrain pp 67-73          08    Neuroanatomy: Cerebral cortex pp 73-79          09    Group Meeting:                  Understanding Perception weekly assignment          10    Biology, Psychology & Neuroscience pp 79-89          12    TEST #1;                 library assignment #2 due     Does seeing (or hearing or tasting or smelling or feeling) make it REAL?  Reading: Ch 5 (skip 4 for now!)          15    Vision: Anatomy of the Eye pp135-144          16    Group Meeting:                     Perception and Behavior weekly assignment          17    Perception I: Interpreting what we see pp 144-150; 170-172          19    Perception II pp 151-157          22    Audition pp 157-162          23    Group Meeting: Listening to Behavior read and learn 162-169 on own    How do we learn and is biology involved? Reading: Ch 7          24    Classical Conditioning pp213-226          26   Operant conditioning I pp 227-232          29    Operant conditioning II pp 232-234          30    Group Meeting: Constructive Memory weekly assignment Oct   01    Biology and learning: pp 235-237          03    Applied Behavior Analysis and                     social learning pp 237-242          06    TEST #2        How do we think, reason and remember? Readings: Ch 8,9           07    Group Meeting: Dr. James Nairne weekly assignment           08    Memory and you!    (Start Chapter 8) pp 245-263          10    Forgetting and memory failure pp 263-275          13    Language     (Start Chapter 9) pp 279-294          14    Group Meeting:                      The Children's Museum weekly assignment w/ museum info          15    Problem Solving & Reasoning            pp 294-309                      Taking sides paper #1 is due   Who we are: Our Personality Alone versus Group behavior. Readings: Ch 12          17    Defining Personality and trait theories pp 379-388          20    Freud pp 388-392          21    Group Meeting: Registering for Next                   Semester with Karen Mark 4-year plan assignment          22    neoFreudian interpretations pp 392-396          24    Behavioral and cognitive approaches pp 396-407   Where did we come from? Using development to explain behavior of the individual  Reading: Ch 4          27   How do we develop? The beginnings pp 93-97 Oct   28   Group meeting:                      Do kids think rationally? weekly assignment          29    Physical development birth to toddler pp 97-101          31    Cognitive development pp 101-113 Nov  03     Social Development pp 113-122          04    Group Meeting:                     Adolescent development read and learn pp 122-133 on own          05    TEST #3 and                   Children's Museum activity due   Do we act differently in groups? Social Psychology Reading: Ch 13           07   Interpreting Behavior of others:                     Social Cognition pp 409-425          10    Social Influence and Social Relations pp 425-436          11    Group Meeting: Election Analysis weekly assignment             read and learn pp 437-447 on your own Reacting to Change: Normal versus Abnormal? Readings: Ch 16, 14  (notice order)          12    Stress        pp 517-547          14    Defining abnormal behavior  pp 449-458           17   Anxiety and Personality Disorders pp 459-465; 471          18    Group Meeting: Personalizing                    Mental Illness weekly assignment          19    Mood disorders pp 465-469          21   Schizophrenia pp 469-470; 472-482                 Taking sides paper #2 is due     Nov 24-28: Thanksgiving Break!!    Treating Mental Disorders: There is hope! Readings: Chapter 15 Dec  01    Treating disorders I    pp 485-492; 503-507          02    Group Meeting: A Panel of Experts weekly assignment          03    Treating disorders II pp 493-502          05    Class summary    Final Exam: TUESDAY December 9th from 7:50-9:50 AM (ugh!)                    in SCH 104