Department of Psychology & Sociology

 

Syllabus

Course PSY-111 A

Introduction to Psychology

MWF 1, Fall 1998

Richard D. Stegen, Ph.D.

 

Text: Sternberg, R.J. (1998) In Search of the Human Mind (2nd ed.). Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace.

 

Internet sources: Sternberg: In Search of the Human Mind, 2e. www.harbrace.com/psych/sternberg/ (This is a site for those who use our text. You may find this site very helpful if you want to explore the area under study in more depth.)

Psych Web Resources: www.psych-web.com/

American Psychological Association: www.apa.org/

American Psychological Society: psych.hanover.edu/APS/

 

Course Description and Objectives:

 

Objectives: 1. Introduce students to the fundamental facts, theories, and principles of psychology.

2. Aid students to get a brief exposure to some of the original writings of the great psychologists, and a taste of the effort being made to scientifically research behavioral phenomena.

3. Help students continuously feel challenged to think psychologically, in other words, have students begin to gain insight into behavior by conceptualizing from a psychological perspective.

4. Enable students to communicate and apply well reasoned ideas to the problems that face our world community.

5. Encourage students to ponder the philosophical and theological implications of the information and concepts studied, especially issues crucial to our serving humankind.

 

Procedures: The course will primarily be lecture with spontaneous questions and discussions throughout. Please engage in dialogue with me both in and out of class. Do not be afraid to express yourself. We need more discussions and academic arguments at Houghton.

 

Dear Student:

 

I would like to go to lunch with you sometime. If you would feel more comfortable with a friend or fellow classmate along, invite them too. Let me know when you accept this invitation, and we'll make an appointment.

Sincerely,

 

Rich Stegen

 

Office: New Academic Building, Room 305

Phone: 567-9307

Office Hours: Monday 10:00-10:50 a.m.

Wednesday 10:00-10:50 a.m.

Thursday 1:30-2:20 p.m.

Other times by appointment

Course Requirements:

1. Reading

A. Text: Sternberg, R.J. (1998) In Search of the Human Mind (2nd ed.). Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace.

The text should be studied carefully in order to obtain a good understanding of the facts and concepts of psychology. Each student is held responsible for material in the text even if the material is not covered in class. Two hours of work on this course for each class session should result in a sufficient level of mastery to do well in the course.

B. Supplementary Reading and Response Letter: (1-2 typewritten pages) (see handout for instructions) Due September 23, 1998

 2. Course Participation (0-5 point pull on grade)

 3. Concept Paper (3 to 4 typewritten pages).

Choose a psychological concept (theory or principle) that has increased your understanding of human behavior. After briefly explaining the concept, delineate how the application of this concept helps you understand and interpret human behavior (give at least one vivid case study or illustration). List at least two sources you have consulted. In addition to learning some basic psychology, the main purpose of this course is for you to think about life using the findings and concepts of psychology. Due November 11, 1998

 4. Research Requirement

Fulfilled by volunteering to participate as a subject for psychology experiments sponsored by the Psychology Department or an assignment acceptable to the instructor (see Appendix A). Due December 4, 1998

 5. Computer assignment

To aid your mastery of psychology concepts you read about and hear about in class, the computer program PsychSim is available in all the labs on campus. (Unfortunately it is not yet on the campus wide network for even easier access). PsychSim provides 19 different modules that relate to our text chapters.

Select any five (5) modules to do. Each module has a rather brief worksheet to complete. Do more just for fun, but you receive no credit. Turn labs in within a week of the time you do the module. Be smart -- spread them across the semester.

Finding PsychSim on the lab computer: Once you log on using your password, point the arrow and click on "start" (lower left), go up to "PC lab programs," go right to "Psychology and Sociology," then go right again and click on "PsychSim." The program should set up for you Do not panic if an error message appears in a window saying, "MV/audio will not work." Just click on "ok" and move on. If the window does not fill your screen, then point the arrow to the middle of the three buttons at the top right of the PsychSim window and click. To exit PsychSim, click on the upper right button marked X.

 Finding the module lab sheets: Separate file folders containing lab sheets for each module are in the Reading Room (N303). They are in the top drawer of the small, light tan file cabinet. Take only one sheet for any module. You may want to read descriptions of each of the modules in the folder titled, "The PsychSim Modules-Descriptions," but do not remove the description sheet. Return it to the file folder and leave it in the front of the file drawer. Take sheets from folders only after you have decided to complete that module. This is an honor system, so let’s make it work. Do not be wasteful and do not plagiarize another student’s work. Work alone for better learning and greater satisfaction. Due one week after the correlated chapter.

All completed by December 9, 1998.

6. Tests

Three unit tests, each worth 25% of the final grade (multiple choice, definitions, and short essay.) The testing method is designed to help you focus your study on certain basic findings and concepts, and at the same time test your mastery of the course as a whole. In addition to the tests listed under "Grading System," a separate exam may be given at the Final Exam to evaluate your mastery of the course materials. Although this test will not lower the average you achieve, it will be a main consideration in regard to "Course Participation" variables so crucial in determining the final mark. Hopefully, this method of assessment not only lowers anxiety some while it helps you focus and prepare effectively (since you have a better idea of "where it's coming from"), but encourages and rewards those who make the effort to thoroughly master the course material.

 7. Attendance

After 5 unexcused absences, a penalty of 2 points per absence will be assessed.

 

Format Requirements

All typed papers are to be double-spaced in APA style with a page listing references (if necessary). An APA style manual is on reserve in the library.

 All papers should have the Due Date (original due date in syllabus), the Date Submitted, and the Extension Due Date if it was necessary to establish one.

 

 

 

 

 

Exam and Late Paper Policy

Please see me at least 2 weeks before an exam if scheduling problems or unusual circumstances arise.

 There are seven days of grace (an extension without penalty or explanation) for all written assignments. If more time is needed to complete an assignment please see me. If an extension is offered, you must sign the Megagrace List. This list will have your name and the Extension Due Date. If a student fails to complete an assignment within the agreed upon grace periods, the final grade of the assignment will be reduced .33 quality points for every two days it is late (e.g., B to B-). Almost all students at Houghton know how to accept grace when it's needed, and it's very rare for a student here to go beyond grace or abuse it.

 

 Grading System

Test 1........................... 25......... 100

Test 2 ...........................25......... 100

Test 3........................... 25......... 100

Supplementary Reading 7½ .........30

Concept Paper .............12½ ........50

Research Requirement ...2½ ........10

Computer Assignment ....2½ ........10

100% ..400

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tentative Schedule

 

Dates

Topic

Chapter
Sept. 2, 4, 7 What is Psychology? 1
9, 11, 14 The Roots and Branches of Psychology 2
16, 18, 21 Biological Bases of Behavior 3
23, 25 Perception 5
28, 30

Oct. 2

 Consciousness 6
5 Exam #1 (Chap. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6)  
7, 9, 12 Learning 7
14 Thinking: Problem Solving (318-333) 10
16, 19, 21 Physical and Cognitive Development 12
23, 26, 28 Social Development 13
30

Nov. 2

 Social Psychology: Personal Perspectives 14
4 Exam #2 (Chap. 7, 10, 12, 13, 14)  
6, 9 Social Psychology: Interpersonal and Group Perspectives 15
11, 13, 16 Motivation and Emotion 16
18, 20, 23 Personality 17
30

Dec. 2, 4

 Abnormal Psychology 18
7, 9, 11 Psychotherapy 19
Friday, Dec. 14 Final Exam (Chap. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)

8:00 a.m.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix A

 

Research Participation Requirement

 

 

Participation in on-going psychological research is a useful, informative, and interesting means of enhancing your understanding of psychology. The traditional route to fulfilling this requirement—participating in an experiment—will typically involve about one hour actively in the research laboratory, and another hour preparing a brief report of your experience.

 

Current research in the department of psychology is primarily in the area of learning, and at least three separate studies will be offered in which you may take part. Participation in any study is voluntary, and you may withdraw from any experiment at any time even after your role in the study is completed.

 

You will not be subjected to any painful or uncomfortable experiences. Investigators are obligated to treat you with respect and dignity, as a colleague in research. You will be given a brief description of the study when you arrive at the laboratory, and you may decline to participate without penalty or prejudice. Your behavior during the experiment and any information you provide will be held in confidence.

 

If you feel that you have been mistreated in any way as a result of this research requirement, you are encouraged to make your feelings known to the Department Chair or Associate Dean. If they are unable to settle the problem to your satisfaction, they will refer it to the Academic Dean.

 

Upon completing your participation, you are entitled to a full explanation of the study and of your role in it. You may ask questions you wish, and you may expect a truthful answer. Occasionally, the researcher may wish to delay answering some of your questions—if this is the case, you will receive another opportunity at a later time, probably during a regular class session.

 

If for any reason you do not wish to participate in any experiment, you may elect one of these alternatives without penalty or prejudice:

 

1. Read three articles from any one psychological research journal. Write a synopsis of each. Total expected length: 2-3 pages.

 

2. Write a descriptive survey of three separate experiments currently underway in the department of psychology: 2-3 pages.

 

3. Outline the design of an experiment you would like to conduct, in any area of psychology: 2-3 pages.

 

4. Prepare any similar assignment to which your instructor agrees.

 

If you choose to participate in an experiment, you will prepare a one-page description of your participation, to be submitted to your instructor.

 

Fulfillment of any of the other assignments above yields course credit equal to that obtained from research participation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplementary Reading and Response Letter

Richard D. Stegen, Ph.D.

 

 

Assignment:

 

Supplementary Reading

 

Choose a passage to read from the great psychologists who are listed on the Selected Authors List of at least 50 pages in length. Be sure to read a work written by an author listed and not a book about the author. Try to read a passage that seems especially helpful and/or interesting to you. This may mean that you must review several works by the author and/or select another psychologist from the list.

 

Response Letter

 

After reading a passage, write a response letter that is one to two pages in length (double-spaced). Write a letter to me with your own personal response(s) to the passage you have selected. You may respond by:

 

A. explaining why you agree or disagree, like or dislike, etc. a certain notion;

B. describing an insight(s) you have gained;

C. showing how a concept or idea can be applied to a "real life" (perhaps personal) situation;

D. delineating a vital question that the material raises, etc.

 

The following criteria will be kept in mind when grading.

 

1. clarity of expression

2. development of ideas

3. depth and helpfulness of thought and/or analysis

4. creativity of ideas and the means of expression

5. awareness of related findings and scholarship

 

 

Format:

 

Place the title "Response Letter" at the top of the page. Just below this title and to the right place your name and box number. Then proceed to begin your response with a salutation (e.g. Professor Stegen,), always remembering that you are not writing a report or review, but your own personal thoughts and feelings concerning the material.

 

 

 

Selected Authors List

 

 

Chapter 2

Rene Descartes

Wilhelm Wundt

William James (16)

Ivan Pavlov (7)

John Watson

Clark Hull (16)

B.F. Skinner (7)

Max Wertheimer

Sigmund Freud (5,17,19

Abraham Maslow (16,17)

Carl Rogers (17,19)

 

Chapter 3

Paul Broca

Roger Sperry

 

Chapter 5

Sigmund Freud (2,17)

Irwin Rock

James J. Gibson

Donald Broadbent

 

Chapter 7

Ivan Pavlov (2)

B.F. Skinner (2)

David Premack

Martin Seligman

Albert Bandura (17)

 

Chapter 12

Arnold Gesell

Jean Piaget

Lev Vygotsky

 

Chapter 13

Jerome Kagan

Erik Erikson

Daniel Levinson

A. Thomas and Stella Chess

Sandra Bem

Mary Ainsworth

Harry Harlow

Diana Baumrind

Lawrence Kohlberg

Carol Gilligan

 

 

 

Chapter 14

Gordon Allport

Leon Festinger

Fritz Heider

John Bowlby

 

Chapter 15

Robert Zajonc

Irving Janis

Solomon Asch

Stanley Milgram

Phillip Zimbardo

 

Chapter 16

William James (2)

Clark Hull (2)

Henry Murray

David McClelland

Abraham Maslow (2,17)

Stanley Schachter

 

Chapter 17

Sigmund Freud (2,5,19)

Alfred Adler

Carl Jung

Harry Stack Sullivan

Karen Horney

Otto Kernberg

Carl Rogers (2,19)

Abraham Maslow (2,16)

Kurt Lewin

Julian Rotter

Albert Bandura (7)

Raymond Cattell

Walter Mischel

Hermann Rorschach

 

Chapter 18

Aaron Beck (19)

Victor Frankl

R.D. Laing

 

Chapter 19

Sigmund Freud (2,5,17)

Carl Rogers (2,17)

Joseph Wolpe

Albert Ellis

Aaron Beck (18)