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GENESEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
PSY 101 - General Psychology
Fall 2014
INSTRUCTOR:
Sharon M Orr
OFFICE HOURS: BY APPOINTMENT
OFFICE:
Room 221
OFFICE PHONE: (585)584-3115 (ext221)
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
TEXTBOOK: Weiten, Wayne. Psychology: A Briefer Version, 7th ed. Thomson
Wadsworth.
2008.
CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
PSY 101: General Psychology
3 Credits
Catalog Description: Introduces the scientific study of human and animal behavior.
Topics include basic methodology, motivation, emotion, learning, memory, human
development, personality, psychological disorders, and therapy. Prerequisite:
completion of the Genesee Community College reading proficiency
Lecture: 3 hrs.
Course Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs):
Upon successful completion of the course as documented by papers, exams, classroom
or online discussion/activities, the student will be able to:
Research Methodology
1. Compare and contrast a recently published popular press report of an empirical
study in psychology with the original research article from a scholarly source by
writing a 3-5 page APA-style paper*.
2. Label correlational/descriptive and experimental examples of research, listing two
strengths and two weaknesses of each of these research methods; and correctly
identifying, from an example of an experiment, the independent and dependent
variables.
Neuroscience and Behavior
3. Identify a minimum of three parts of a neuron.
4. List each of the four lobes of the brain and list at least one function of each.
Sensation and Perception
5. Identify examples of four Gestalt principles.
Learning and Conditioning
6. Label examples of classical, operant, and observational/social learning and correctly
identify examples of operant conditioning illustrating positive reinforcement, negative
reinforcement, or punishment; and examples of the CS, UCS, CR, and UCR within
classical conditioning.*
Human Memory
7. Describe each of the key processes involved in memory and give an original example
of each; list two reasons why forgetting occurs; and state three ways to improve
memory.
Cognition
8. List and explain at least two barriers to successful problem-solving and decisionmaking.
Human Development
9. Give an example of one ability that emerges during each of the four stages of Piaget's
stage theory of cognitive development; provide an example of how biological and
environmental factors influence development; and using Erikson's theory, identify the
general age/stage at which specific crises occur.
Personality Theories
10. Describe the concept of personality; correctly identify two basic constructs within at
least three of the major personality theories; and indicate at least two methods or
techniques for measuring personality.
Psychological Disorders
11. Discuss at least one difficulty in defining/identifying psychological disorders.
12. Label examples of an anxiety disorder, a mood disorder and schizophrenia.
13. Identify at least one biological explanation and one psychological explanation for
the causes of psychological disorders.
Therapy Models
14. Distinguish between clinical psychologists and psychiatrists with regard to their
training and their orientation.
15. Differentiate among the therapeutic techniques of at least three of the major
psychological models of therapy, and list at least three specific biologically-based
therapies.
* This course objective has been identified as a student learning outcome that must be
formally assessed as part of the Comprehensive Assessment Plan of the college. All
faculty teaching this course must collect the required data and submit the required
analysis and documentation at the conclusion of the semester to the Office of
Institutional Research and Assessment.
Content Outline:
I. Research Methodology
II. Neuroscience and Behavior
III. Sensation and Perception
IV. Learning and Conditioning
V. Human Memory
VI. Cognition
VII. Human Development
VIII. Personality Theories
IX. Psychological Disorders
X. Therapy Models
Other possible topics: Motivation and Emotion
States of Consciousness
History of Psychology
Social Psychology
CLASS ACTIVITIES:
Class time will be utilized in the following ways:
1.
2.
3.
Clarification and expansion of textbook material.
Application of course content to everyday experience.
Introduction of topics relevant to psychology that are not
covered in the text.
Lecture-discussion, small group discussion, and audio-visual materials
will be utilized to present the course material. To derive maximum benefit
from class sessions, students should do the assigned textbook reading
prior to class.
Tests in this course will cover both the assigned textbook readings as well
as the material covered during class sessions.
TESTING:
There will be chapter tests on Fridays. Some tests will cover more
than one chapter. These tests will typically be composed of
multiple choice, true/false items, and an essay. A calendar will
also be provided that will give dates when chapters will be covered.
Students should also check my website to see any news that may
be pertinent. The tests will cover assigned chapters from the
textbook plus material covered during class sessions. Tests will be
returned to you in a timely fashion after all students have taken
the test. Tests will typically be worth 40 points (for a total of 560
points)
Additionally, a final, comprehensive exam will be given. This exam
will consist of multiple choice, true-false, and take-home essay
questions. (Total exam worth approximately 550 points)
ASSIGNMENTS:
One major writing assignment will be required this semester – an
APA format paper. Directions for completing this assignment
will be distributed and discussed in a future class. The assignment
will be worth 100 points.
Assignments are expected to be handed in on time.
Late
assignments will not be accepted.
Various assignments will be given at the instructor discretion
totaling approximately 120 points.
For test and paper dates please see the calendar.
GRADING:
Grades are computed by dividing the number of points that a
student has earned by the total number of points that it was possible to
earn during the course. Letter grades are then given according to the
chart below:
A
B
C
D
F
=
=
=
=
=
90 - 100
80-89
70-79
65-69
64 and below
ATTENDANCE
Attendance is not used when computing students' final grades.
However, students should note that regular class attendance is
positively correlated with higher grades.
PLAGIARISM/CHEATING
Cheating is obtaining or intentionally giving unauthorized information to create an
unfair advantage in an examination, assignment, or classroom situation. Plagiarism is
the act of presenting and claiming words, ideas, data, programming code or creations of
others as one’s own. Plagiarism may be intentional-as in a false claim of authorship-or
unintentional-as in failure to document information sources using MLA (Modern
Language Association), APA (American Psychological Association) or other style sheets
or manuals adopted by instructors at the College. Presenting ideas in the exact or near
exact wording as found in source material constitutes plagiarism, as does patching
together paraphrased statements without in-text citation. Disciplinary action may
include a failing grade on an assignment or test, a failing grade for the course,
suspension or expulsion from the college, as described in the Code of Conduct.
WITHDRAWAL
Students must adhere to the Pavilion Central Drop/Add Policy.
“Students may change their schedule only during the first three (3) weeks
after the course begins. Parent permission must be given in writing prior
to any schedule changes. NO schedule changes will be allowed after the
three (3) week point. Approved by the Board of Education 6/2005
GCC’s withdrawal date (for GCC credit) is November 15th.