INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY General Information: Instructor: Email: Required Books: Supplemental Novels: Mr. Robert W. Dill rdill@fhrangers.org Spencer A. Rathus, Psychology: Principles in Practice. Austin, T.X.: Holt McDougal, 2007. Sean Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens. New York, NY.: Simon and Schuster, 1998. David Sheff, Beautiful Boy. Boston, MA.: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2008. Dale Archer, Better Than Normal. New York, NY: Three Rivers Press, 2012. Supplemental Text: Numerous articles and supplemental readings Course Description: This is an elective course that will serve as an introduction to the study of psychology. It will help guide students to think more critically and imaginatively about psychological issues, and it will help students apply what they learn to their own life and to the world around them. This is a college prep course. Course Learning Objectives: 1. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the history of psychology as a science as Define psychology; Discuss evolution of psychology as a science; Discuss what today s psychologists do; Explain the scientific method; Accept professional ethical standards; Define reliability, validity, and bias; Page 1
Participate in group discussions. 2. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the senses and perception as Discuss phases of vision; Define and explain attention; Discuss phases of hearing; Participate in group discussions. 3. Students will demonstrate knowledge of how humans learn as evidenced by: Define classical conditioning, operant conditioning, cognitive learning, insight learning and observational learning; Identify examples of classical conditioning, operant conditioning, cognitive learning, insight learning and observational learning; Apply how principles of learning affect everyday life; Participate in group discussions. 4. Students will demonstrate knowledge of memory as Define encoding, storage and retrieval; Discuss memory stores; Discuss semantic, episodic, explicit and implicit memories; Explain false memories, forgetting, repressed and implanted memories, and improving memory; Participate in group discussions. 5. Students will demonstrate knowledge of intelligence, language and thinking as Discuss the development of language in humans; Discuss problem solving, logic, and reasoning; Discuss how to measure intelligence and the history of intelligence testing; Define IQ, g, EIQ and multiple intelligences; Discuss diversity in intelligence; Participate in group discussion. 6. Students will demonstrate knowledge of emotion and motivation as Discuss types and causes of emotion; Discuss expressing and perceiving emotions; Define instinct, drive, and theories of motivation; Examine eating behaviors and disorders; Participate in group discussions. Page 2
7. Students will demonstrate knowledge of personality as Discuss Freud s Theory of Personality; Define personality, traits and factors; Discuss how personality is measured; Explain biological influences of personality; Explain leaning and cognitive influences on personality; Explain sociological influences on personality; Participate in group discussions. 8. Students will demonstrate knowledge of psychology across the lifespan as Identify developmental milestones from conception to adulthood; Discuss prenatal, infant, child, adolescent, and adult physical, motor, perceptual, emotional, social and cognitive development; Participate in group discussions. 9. Students will demonstrate knowledge of how stress, health, and coping effects on humans as Define stress; Discuss biology of stress, stressor appraisal, and sources of stress; Explain how stress can contribute to illness, cancer, and heart disease; Define and discuss the sleep cycles; Discuss strategies for coping; Participate in group discussions. 10. Students will demonstrate knowledge of psychological disorders as Define psychological abnormality; Discuss history of the DSM; Discuss mood disorders, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and personality disorders; Discuss diagnosis and treatments for disorders; Participate in group discussions. 11. Students will demonstrate knowledge of social psychology as Define social cognition, attitude, behavior, stereotypes, and prejudice; Discuss social behavior, relationships, and mating preferences; Explain group role and rule influences; Discuss ethics and social psychology; Page 3
Participate in group discussions. Writing Requirements: Throughout the year-long course, students will be assigned various genres of writing. Writing will be integrated through in-class exercises, formal papers, essay tests, etc. Writing is a skill; therefore, it must be developed through ongoing practice. Each assignment will require students to write with a specific purpose and will measure students analytical skills as well. Prior to each assignment, students will receive a copy of the requirements. Research Paper Requirement: Psychological Analysis Project Written Component Research a psychological disorder o Research must be thorough o Must have a minimum of three sources, including your textbook and one other print source o Work cited page must be in MLA or APA format Final paper must be five pages in length o The cover page and work cited pages are not included in the page count o Report must be divided into the following headings: Introduction Definition of Psychological Disorder Demographic Information Etiology (cause) Incidence (statistics) Psychological Theory/Concept (from textbook/class notes) Conclusion Paper must be done in MLA format o 1 margins o Double spaced o In-text citations o 12-point font o Cover page must include name of psychological disorder, your name, period number, and date Page 4
o Separate page for work cited Class Presentation Class presentation will be no longer than 10 minutes. You cannot read your final paper for the class presentation. Visual aids should be used (i.e. posters, PowerPoint, brochures, handouts, etc). If assistance is needed for copying presentation materials, the materials must be to the teacher no later than one day before the scheduled presentations. Be prepared for questions from the class or teacher. Grading Policy: Pursuant to the Forest Hills School District Grading Policy, the following scale will be used for computing and determining course grades: 92% - 100% A 82% - 91% B 72% - 81% C 62% - 71% D 61% -Below F The nine-week grades will be a culmination of tests, quizzes, homework, projects, class participation as well as other in-class and out-of-class assignments. This course is designed to prepare students for a post-secondary learning environment. With that in mind, students will be expected to read articles, analyze news publications, and write often. Assignments must be turned in when they are due. Late work will not be accepted. Not to exceed five percent of the total number of points, bonus will be offered throughout the nine weeks. Bonus opportunities will be announced in class. A deadline for bonus usually one week before the end of the 9 weeks will be established. The deadline will be announced in class. Bonus will not be counted after the deadline. As per the district-wide grading policy, bonus will not be accepted until all regularly assigned work is completed. Page 5
Student Behavior: Students should always conduct themselves in a respectful manner. No conduct will be tolerated that might endanger or threaten anyone in the class. Disruptive behavior, downgrading or disparaging remarks, and any other behavior that shows a lack of respect for the teacher or other students, will not be tolerated. Classroom Procedures: Students are expected to be on time. Students must RESPECT others in the classroom as well as the classroom itself. After entering the room, students should quietly report to their seats. Do not talk while others are speaking. During class discussions, you do not have to agree with others; however, you should respect others opinions. You can agree to disagree. Misbehavior in any fashion will not be tolerated. Visits to the bathroom should be kept to a minimum. When leaving the room, remember to ask for permission, sign out, and always have a pass. Tentative Course Calendar: The order that the chapters are covered may be changed at the discretion of the instructor. 1. What is Psychology Chapter 1 2. Psychological Methods Chapter 2 3. Sensation and Perception Chapter 4 4. Consciousness Chapter 5 5. Learning Chapter 6 6. Memory Chapter 7 7. Thinking and Language Chapter 8 8. Intelligence Chapter 9 Page 6
9. Motivation and Emotion Chapter 13 10. Theories of Personality Chapter 14 11. Psychological Disorders Chapter 18 12. Stress and Health Chapter 17 The teacher reserves the right to modify this syllabus when deemed necessary. Said changes will be announced in class. Page 7