Introduction to Psychology: SS-510

Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon, 2006.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: the department of Social Sciences Academic Integrity Policy adheres to the standards described in the Academic integrity Policy of Queensborough Community College (see College Catalog). Within the framework of the college policy sanctions for violations of academic integrity are left to the discretion of the instructor. Students may appeal sanctions to the department chair who may refer the appeal to a departmental Committee on Academic Integrity for review.

ATTENDANCE: you are expected to follow the College Catalogue attendance requirements (from the first day, 15% of class meetings, excessive lateness, etc.). Please note that your grade may be affected by an attendance record that does not meet the College standards.

EXAMS: all three exams must be taken in order to receive a final grade. Make-up exams will be given (or a cumulative final required) only due to extraordinary circumstances that are appropriately documented.

FINAL GRADES: if you are dissatisfied with your grade on either of the first two exams, you may elect to take a cumulative final exam and have it count as 50% of your grade. No exam grade will be dropped and no final grade will be changed.

AN INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY: definition, scope, and goals of psychology; what psychologists do and areas of specialization within the field; major approaches in the history of scientific psychology and current trends that shape contemporary psychology

RESEARCH METHODS: the scientific method and the importance of research for the science of psychology; description and explanation of a variety of research designs and methodologies including experimental and descriptive techniques; correlation, causation and the evaluation of research findings

PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY: the biology and chemistry of behavior, especially neurotransmitters and hormones; how the nervous system is organized and how the brain functions; from the individual neuron to the central and peripheral nervous systems; the role of the endocrine system

EXAMINATION I: CHAPTERS 1, 2, 3

PERCEPTION: sensation versus perception; the role of selection, organization, and interpretation in perceiving the environment; distance, depth, and perceptual constancy; illusions and perceptual expectations

STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS: levels of and ways to alter consciousness; stages and functions of sleep as well as sleep disorders; dreaming and the purposes of dreams; hypnosis, meditation, and biofeedback; psychopharmacology and psychoactive drugs; drug use and abuse

LEARNING: Pavlov’s model for classical conditioning and Skinner’s theory of operant conditioning; use of reinforcement and punishment; other paradigms including observational and cognitive learning; learning to learn

EXAMINATION II: CHAPTERS 6, 7, 8

MEMORY: types and models of memory; storing memories in sensory, short-term, and long-term memory; retrieving memories and methods to measure memory; how and why people forget; special forms of memory

CHAPTER 9: MEMORY

MOTIVATION: why we do what we do; definition and theories of motivation; physiological-biological drives (such as hunger or sexual behavior) and social-psychological needs (such as achievement or affiliation)

CHAPTER 12: MOTIVATION AND EMOTION (pages 414-439)

PERSONALITY: how personality is defined and assessed; the psychodynamic perspective of Sigmund Freud; development of personality according to Freud’s psychosexual stages; the id, ego, superego structure of personality and the use of defense mechanisms; neo-Freudian and other contemporary viewpoints

PSYCHOPATHOLOGY: controversy over the definition and labeling of normal versus abnormal behavior; diagnosing maladjusted behavior according to DSM; anxiety, mood, and dissociative disorders; schizophrenia; personality and other psychological disorders

PSYCHOTHERAPY: psychological and biological therapy systems involving a variety of verbal, behavioral, and/or medical approaches to treatment; an evaluation of different therapies (psychodynamic, humanistic, behavioral, cognitive, etc.)