GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY

PSYC-2010
Dr. Cheney Office Tel.# 825-2258
 
Office #3095, Knight Campus Office Hours
 
Email: lcheney@ccri.edu Tuesday 1-4:00 p.m.
Thurs. 11-12:00 noon

TEXT: Huffman, PSYCHOLOGY: IN ACTION, Wiley & Sons, 7th Ed., 2004.

Objectives of the Course:

To introduce students to the various areas of psychology, including perception, motivation, learning, development, psychological disorders, social behavior, and experimental methods.

To provide a basis for understanding oneself better and a foundation for continuing on to higher level courses in psychology.

Course Outline:

Chapter 1 Introduction and Research Methods

Chapter 2 Neuroscience and Biological Foundations

TEST #1

Chapter 3 Stress and Health Psychology

Chapter 5 Consciousness

TEST #2

Chapter 6 Learning

Chapter 7 Memory

TEST #3

Chapter 9 Life Span Development I

Chapter 10 Life Span Development II (pp. 352-360)

Chapter 12 Motivation & Emotion

TEST #4

Chapter 13 Personality

Chapter 14 Psychological Disorders

TEST #5

Chapter 15 Therapies

Chapter 16 Social Psychology

TEST #6

FINAL EXAM (Comprehensive)

 

Evaluation:

  1. Six objective tests (65%--lowest grade not counted) and final exam (20%). No make-up exams.
  2. Attendance, participation, and homework assignments (15%).
  3. Optional Projects: Research Paper; Presentation to class on appropriate topic; Service Learning Project. Note: The first two options will count as a replacement for the lowest test grade (if all 6 tests are taken). The Service Learning Project will count as 1-½ test grades.

    4.

OPTIONAL PROJECTS

The following are suggestions for an optional project to improve your grade (Note: a project grade cannot lower your present grade). Please see me if you are interested.

  1. Research Paper: (2-4 pages) – on a topic of interest to you.

a. Examples: Alcohol use/abuse; dreams; extrasensory perception; violence in society; discipline of children; holistic therapy, etc.

b. Must include three or more sources (journals, periodicals, books, etc.) to reinforce your discussion points, footnotes, and a bibliography, not including text.
 
  1. A Discussion on a Topic of Interest to Class
    2.

a. Prepare a statement (with verification from an outside source) on some aspect of the question.

b. Lead a class discussion on the topic.

c. Some possible choices:

1. Does violence on TV cause aggressive behavior in children?

2. Does ESP exist?

3. Should tests be used in making employment decisions (such as personality tests?)

4. Is homosexuality normal?

5. Do religious cults use brainwashing to convert young people?

6. Is psychotherapy effective?

7. Should AIDS prevention be taught in school?

8. Are day care homes good for young children?
 

  1. Service Learning Project

    2.

a. An opportunity to work with a community agency for a semester (approximately 1-2 hours/week).

b. Volunteers will keep a journal of their experiences and at the end of the semester write a summary (2-4 pages) explaining what they learned about themselves and applied psychology from their service.

c. A contract with the Coordinator at the site must be turned in to the Instructor.