JEFFERSON COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS PSY101 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY. 3 Credit Hours. Prepared by: Leslie Buck, M.Ed. (Ph.D.

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1 JEFFERSON COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS PSY101 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY 3 Credit Hours Prepared by: Leslie Buck, M.Ed. (Ph.D. ABD) January 2009 Arts & Science Education Dr. Mindy Selsor, Dean Carolyn Elphingstone, Division Chair Social Science

2 PSY101 General Psychology I. CATALOG DESCRIPTION A. Prerequisite: None B. 3 credit hours C. General Psychology deals with the scientific study of behavior and mental processes found in humans and animals. General Psychology will partially fulfill the Social and Behavioral Science requirements for the Associate of Arts and Associate of Arts in Teaching degrees. (F, S, Su, O) II. EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES WITH CORRESPONDING ASSESSMENT MEASURES Expected Learning Outcomes A. Knowledge Base of Psychology Describe the major concepts/themes, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in B. Research Methods in Psychology Examine and analyze basic scientific research in C. Critical Thinking Skills in Psychology Evaluate problems related to behavior and mental processes using critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and scientific principles D. Application of Psychology Describe major applied areas of and examine practical applications of to personal, social, and organizational issues E. Sociocultural and International Awareness Recognize and illustrate the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity in psychological understanding Assessment Measures Written project/paper Written project/paper Written project/paper Written project/paper

3 III. COURSE OUTLINE (with unit objectives from MDHE CAI and APA) Missouri Department of Higher Education. (2008). Curriculum Alignment Initiative Report for the Coordinating Board for Higher Education. Jefferson City, MO: Author. Retrieved from American Psychological Association. (2007). APA Guidelines for the Undergraduate Psychology Major. Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved from A. Knowledge Base of Psychology 1) Explain why is a science Nature of Define as the science that studies behavior and mental processes and the profession that applies that science Relationship of Explain how meets the criteria of science to science 2) Identify the components of current perspectives in and trace their historical roots. Structure of List and explain the major research and applied subfields of Relationship of Identify the connections between and other disciplines to other disciplines Objectives of Explain the primary objectives of (Describing, understanding, predicting, and controlling behavior and mental processes) Historic perspectives in Describe the key eras of the major schools of thought in the history of (including their founders, assumptions, explanatory Contemporary perspectives in behavioral biological cognitive evolutionary humanistic psychodynamic sociocultural General content domains of learning and cognition individual and sociocultural differences biological bases of behavior and mental processes concepts, and methods) Describe the major contemporary perspectives of Explain basic concepts, theory, and research represented in the general content domains

4 3) Gain awareness of ongoing themes in the field of (nature and nurture, the interaction of mind and body, free will and determinism) Overarching themes of Identify the overarching themes of interaction of heredity and environment variability and continuity of behavior and mental processes within and across species free will versus determinism subjective versus objective perspective interaction of mind and body B. Research Methods in Psychology 1) Explain the steps and advantages of psychological research Scientific method Describe the basic characteristics of the scientific method in Research elements Define hypotheses, variables, and operational definitions 2) Differentiate between major methods (descriptive, correlational, and experimental) of psychological research, including advantages and disadvantages of use. General research Describe various general research strategies, including advantages and strategies disadvantages of use descriptive Distinguish the nature of designs that permit causal inferences from correlational those that do not experimental Correlation Define correlation Correlation vs. Explain the difference between correlation and causation causation Controlled comparison Describe the role of controlled comparison in justifying a cause- effect claim Experimental design Describe experimental design strategies to address research questions 3) Describe common descriptive and inferential statistics and the role of statistical significance in psychological research. Statistical skills Describe the differences between descriptive and inferential statistical analysis Statistical significance Define statistical significance and its role in interpreting research findings 4) Recognize potential sources of bias in psychological research. Participant selection Describe rationale for choosing and assigning specific group of and assignment participants Design quality (internal Define validity and describe conditions that enhance valid findings validity) Generalization (external Describe the relationship of research design to generalizability of results validity) Sociocultural context Identify variations in behavior related to sociocultural differences

5 5) Discuss ethical concerns in conducting psychological research. Research ethics Describe the basic principles of the APA code of ethics for research with human and animal participants, including the role of an IRB 6) Locate and critique (based on research elements, method, statistical results, potential bias, and ethical concerns) psychological research reported in popular literature. Database skills Identify and locate relevant journals and databases in Reporting research Apply basic APA style in writing about research findings Body of evidence Articulate how an individual research study addresses a behavioral question Scientific method Analyze how primary behavioral research adheres to scientific principles Research elements Deduce hypotheses, variables, and operational definitions from research articles and scenarios General research Categorize research articles that employ methods permitting causal and strategies non-causal inferences descriptive correlational experimental Correlation Interpret meaning of correlational findings Correlation vs. Speculate about and evaluate the significance of correlational findings causation Controlled comparison Analyze research claims to identify legitimacy of cause-effect claims Experimental design Compare and contrast different research methods used by psychologists Statistical skills Analyze and interpret simple statistics from research results and in journal articles Statistical significance Analyze statistical significance and its role in interpreting research findings Participant selection Analyze potential influence of participant variables and assignment Design quality (internal Analyze conditions that will enhance or detract from validity of validity) conclusions Generalization (external Analyze the generalizability of research findings based on strengths or validity) weaknesses of research design Sociocultural context Analyze potential sociocultural bias in research strategies and conclusions Research ethics Analyze potential violations of the basic principles of the APA code of ethics for research with human and animal participants C. Critical Thinking Skills in Psychology 1) Identify limitations of generalizing research. Limits of scientific State how evidence is contextual and tentative reasoning and evidence Use of evidence in Discern difference between personal views and scientific evidence in understanding behavior 2) Challenge claims that arise from myth, stereotype, or untested assumptions by using scientific p principles and evidence. Association skills Assess the quality of connections made between diverse facts and theories Argumentation skills Develop sound, integrated arguments based on scientific reasoning and empirical evidence

6 Detection of errors in psychological reasoning Skepticism D. Application of Psychology 1) Describe major applied areas of. Evaluate the error involved in common fallacies and poorly supported assertions Distinguish between scientific and pseudo-scientific explanations of human behavior and compare their relative value Applied areas in Identify major applied areas in (e.g., clinical, counseling, and industrial/ organizational) 2) Identify practical applications of. Potential for as a change-agent 3) Examine applications of to areas such as: a) health and medicine b) environment c) education d) public policy Healthy lifestyle Abnormal behavior List ways that psychological principles can facilitate personal, social, and organizational change Describe elements of healthy lifestyle Apply criteria of abnormality to a given set of symptoms or characteristics Explain the elements and importance of effective testing Describe common characteristics of a psychological approach to solving problems Psychological tests Psychological interventions E. Sociocultural and International Awareness 1) Recognize that is an international discipline. 2) Provide examples of how interaction among diverse people can challenge conventional understanding of psychological processes and behavior. Sociocultural context Identify variations in behavior related to sociocultural differences Tolerance of ambiguity Evaluate psychological explanations with an expectation that these will be complex and tentative, varying across populations and contexts Protection of human Explain why psychologists strive to protect human dignity dignity Personal responsibility Describe how can foster positive civic, social, and global outcomes IV. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION A. Readings from textbook and supplemental handouts B. Classroom Lecture C. Participation in active learning by reflective activities and peer discussions in classroom or online

7 D. Reflection on thought-provoking questions in classroom or online E. Educational media presented in classroom or online F. Completing psychological measures in classroom or online G. Completing activities that relate to course content in classroom, outside class, or online V. REQUIRED TEXTBOOK Weiten, W. (2011). Psychology: Themes and Variations, Briefer Version (8 th ed.) Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. VI. REQUIRED MATERIALS A. Course Home Page available through B. A computer with internet access and basic software to include word processing (Jefferson College provides access to computers on campus) VII. SUPPLEMENTAL REFFERENCES A. Class handouts B. Current library resources 1. Books - Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association 2. Periodicals 3. Videos C. Current internet resources 1. On-line reference materials 2. Textbook companion web-site D. Study Guide for textbook 1. Printed Version: Stalling, R. & Wasden, R. (2011). Study Guide for Psychology: Themes and Variations, Briefer Version (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. 2. Online Version: Cengage NOW. VIII. METHODS OF EVALUATION A. Class Activities - worth up to 10% of total course grade 1. Presentations 2. Class Discussions/Debates 3. Group projects

8 B. Measures - small unit or chapter examinations worth up to 15% of total course grade (Online or In-class quizzes) C. Written projects/papers assignments focused on application worth up to 25% of total course grade 1. One assignment must identify and critique psychological research reported in popular literature 2. Other written projects/papers may involve a. Case study analysis b. Journal article summary c. News Article Reflection d. Research paper e. Resource file f. Report of application project g. Student portfolio D. Summative Written Examinations examinations worth up to 50% of total course grade 1. Department-developed tests (multi-section assessment) 2. Instructor developed tests (objective and/or essay) E. Extra Credit - Additional Assessment or Written Activities worth a maximum of 10% of the total course grade F. Grading Scale 1. A= % 2. B= % 3. C= % 4. D= % 5. F=59.9-0% IX. ADA STATEMENT Any student requiring special accommodations should inform the instructor and the Coordinator of Disability Support Services (Library; phone , ext. 169). X. ACADEMIC HONESTY STATEMENT A. All students are responsible for complying with campus policies as stated in the Student Handbook (see College website, =84). B. Any student who cheats or plagiarizes may earn a grade of F for the entire course. Violation of the Student Code of Conduct may also be referred to the college for discipline.