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South Central College
PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology
Common Course Outline
Course Information
Description
Introduction to Psychology introduces the broad spectrum of theories and applications
that make up the field of psychology. Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and
mental processes and how they are affected by physiological systems, by psychological
systems, and by change and adjustment. (Prerequisite: Must have a score of 78 or
higher on the Reading portion of the Accuplacer test or completion of READ90 with a
grade of C or higher) (MNTC 5: History & Social/Behavioral Sciences)
Total Credits
4.00
Total Hours
192.00
Types of Instruction
Instruction Type
Credits/Hours
Online
Pre/Corequisites
Prerequisite
Must have a score of 78 or higher on the Reading portion of the Accuplacer test or
completion of READ80 and READ90 with a grade of C or higher.
Course Competencies
1
Demonstrate an understanding of the GENERAL FRAMEWORK AND HISTORY that make up the
field of psychology and demonstrate an appreciation for the value and importance of studying
psychology.
Learning Objectives
Explain the importance of studying psychology.
Describe a brief history of psychology and indicate how contemporary concerns have arisen from previous views.
Identify major perspectives of psychology and describe how these perspectives explain behavior.
Define and distinguish between biological processes, cognitive processes, and socioemotional processes.
2
Demonstrate an understanding of the SCIENTIFIC METHOD and various RESEARCH METHODS
typically used in the field of psychology.
Learning Objectives
Explain why psychology is a science.
Describe the most common types of research used in psychology.
Understand the standard ethics of psychological research.
3
Demonstrate an understanding of the key components of BIOPSYCHOLOGY and how this subspecialty describes behavior and mental processes.
Common Course Outline
September, 2016
Learning Objectives
Describe the fundamental components of genetic processes.
Evaluate evolutionary psychology's emphasis on the importance of adaptation with respect to explaining behavior.
Describe the overall structure and components of the nervous system.
Describe the influence of hormones on behavior.
Understand the basic interactions of perception, brain communication pathways, and behavior.
Identify major brain components and describe their role in behavior and mental processes.
4
Demonstrate an understanding of the key components of LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT
(developmental psychology) and how this sub-specialty describes behavior and mental
processes.
Learning Objectives
Understand the three major developmental issues (nature and nurture, continuity and discontinuity, stability and
change.)
Understand the major developmental periods from conception to death.
Understand, compare, and contrast key developmental theories including Freud, Piaget, and Erikson.
Explain basic stages and theories of language development.
Define attachment and identify styles of attachment.
Outline the stages of Kohlberg s theory and moral development.
Specify the developmental challenges of adolescence and early adulthood.
5
Demonstrate an understanding of the key components of BEHAVIORAL PSYCHOLOGY and how
this sub-specialty describes behavior and mental processes.
Learning Objectives
Describe classical conditioning and identify types of behaviors which can be classically conditioned.
Describe the processes involved in operant conditioning, including reinforcement schedules.
Describe the difficulties involved in using punishment to shape behavior and describe effective alternatives.
Describe the significance of Bandura s research on observational learning.
6
Demonstrate an understanding of the key components of SENSATION AND PERCEPTUAL
psychology and how this sub-specialty describes behavior and mental processes.
Learning Objectives
Distinguish between the terms sensation and perception.
Describe how humans make perceptional judgments and what influences can cause these judgments to be
inaccurate.
7
Demonstrate an understanding of the key components of MEMORY and how these components
contribute to our understanding of behavior and mental processes from a cognitive perspective.
Learning Objectives
Describe the stages of memory and how each functions.
Identify ways to enhance memory.
Distinguish between the different types of memory and of forgetting.
8
Demonstrate an understanding of the key components of THINKING AND INTELLIGENCE and
how these components contribute to our understanding of behavior and mental processes from
a cognitive perspective.
Learning Objectives
Identify the role of concepts in the process of thought.
Identify the steps in problem solving.
Understand processes which interfere with problem solving.
Describe the major theories of intelligence.
Discuss the nature versus nurture controversy in terms of intelligence.
9
Demonstrate an understanding of the key components of CONSCIOUSNESS and how these
components contribute to our understanding of behavior and mental processes.
Learning Objectives
Define consciousness and how it relates to other mental processes.
Explain the Freudian concept of the conscious.
Describe the stages and cycle of sleep and its unique physiological states.
Identify and explain the major theories of dreams.
Identify altered states of consciousness, including hypnosis and meditation, and what research says about them.
Describe the classes and impacts of commonly used psychoactive drugs.
10
Demonstrate an understanding of the key components of EMOTION AND MOTIVATION and how
these theoretical constructs contribute to our understanding of behavior and mental processes.
Learning Objectives
Identify the primary emotions.
Describe the influence of culture, gender and learning upon emotional expression.
Describe what is known about the biological basis of emotion.
Define motivation and discuss the major theories that explain the concept.
Identify and discuss the complex set of factors that lead to achievement and optimism.
11
Demonstrate an understanding of historical and current conceptualizations of PSYCHOLOGICAL
DISORDERS and how these explain and describe disordered behavior and mental processes.
Learning Objectives
Describe the history of the conceptualization and treatment of psychological disorders.
Describe the major theoretical perspectives for defining and understanding psychological disorders.
Name the major categories of psychological illness, as outlined in the DSM-IV.
12
Demonstrate an understanding of the key components of CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY how this subspecialty contributes to our understanding of behavior and mental processes.
Learning Objectives
Identify the symptoms, causes, theoretical explanation for and treatment for the major psychological disorders.
Explain the history of psychotherapy as a mental health treatment.
Describe the rationale for and typical interventions for the following therapies: behavior, cognitive, insight.
Discuss the use of psychosurgery, ECT, and other biomedical therapies.
Discuss the major issues surrounding hospitalization, deinstitutionalization, and community-based treatment of
persons who suffer from mental illness.
13
Demonstrate an understanding of the key components of PERSONALITY/TRAIT PSYCHOLOGY
and how this sub-specialty contributes to our understanding of behavior and mental processes.
Learning Objectives
Name and describe the major theories of personality.
Evaluate the major personality theories, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of each.
Differentiate among temperament, trait and type.
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of commonly used personality assessment techniques.
Explain the possible social and cultural influences on personality development.
14
Demonstrate an understanding of the key components of STRESS, HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
and how these theoretical constructs contribute to our understanding of behavior and mental
processes.
Learning Objectives
Define stress and identify the various psychological and physical facets of the stress response.
Discuss factors that contribute to stress and methods of stress reduction.
Discuss stress and the immune system.
15
Demonstrate an understanding of the key components of social psychology and how this subspecialty describes behavior and mental processes.
Learning Objectives
Name and describe some of the key studies in social psychology and discuss their significance in expanding our
knowledge of social influences on behavior.
Explain cognitive dissonance and the fundamental attribution error and how they influence behavior.
Define the principles that influence relationships and the theories that explain love.
Differentiate between prejudice and discrimination and discuss the impacts of both.
Describe some principles of social psychology that can help us to better resolve and prevent unnecessary conflicts,
violence, and terrorism.
SCC Accessibility Statement
If you have a disability and need accommodations to participate in the course activities, please contact your
instructor as soon as possible. This information will be made available in an alternative format, such as
Braille, large print, or cassette tape, upon request. If you wish to contact the college ADA Coordinator, call
that office at 507-389-7222.