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Introductory Psychology
| Instructor: Eric Amsel | E-mail: eamsel@weber.edu | Office: 370 SS |
| Office Hours: Just before class or by appointment | Phone: 626-6658 | |
Course Objectives:
The course will explore
classic and contemporary theories of and research in scientific psychology. The specific
objectives are:
- To learn about ‘human nature’ from the perspective of the discipline of
scientific psychology.
- To understand the multiple scientific perspectives (behavioral, biological, cognitive,
socio-cultural, evolutionary) on human behavior and how each of these differ from our
‘everyday’ theory.
- To appreciate that all behavior is the result of a complex interaction between genetic,
biological, cognitive, environmental, and social-cultural factors.
- To learn about the methods, procedures, and techniques that psychologists use in academic studies and professional practice.
General Plan: In the first week of classes we will examine everyday explanations of behavior. The structure of these ‘folk’ explanations will be explored and the 4 underlying assumptions will be identified. These four assumptions include the existence of mental states, the power of awareness, the centrality of rationality, and the accuracy of perception. These assumptions will be the focus of attention over the next seven weeks of the semester as we consider Behaviorism and Learning (which challenges the power of awareness), Biological Psychology (which denies the existence of mental states), Sensation and Perception (which makes apparent the inaccuracy of perception) and Cognitive Psychology (which demonstrates human irrationality). During the last 6 weeks of classes we adopt a new tact in understanding human beings. As an alternative to everyday psychological explanations, we will examine human behavior as a product of interactions between distinct forces. These forces include environmental, biological, cognitive, genetic (evolutionary psychology & behavioral genetics), socio-cultural, and genetic influences on behavior. These forces and their interactions will be examined in the contexts of Social Psychology, Motivation, Development, Personality, Psychopathology, and Treatment.
Textbook: Myers, D. (2009). Exploring Psychology (8th Ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.
Grading:
There
will be four Exams, to be taken in the Social Sciences Testing
Center. Each exam will include multiple choice, short answer, and essay
questions based on the assigned textbook chapters, class discussions,
written assignments, computer assignments, and lectures. A study guide will
be available and an exam review will be held before each exam. Each exam
will cover only material from approximately 3-4 textbook chapters. In
addition, there will be four short Written Assignments. Each of the
assignments will involve written (typed, doubled-spaced) answers to general
questions. These written assignments will be distributed to students
approximately a week before they are due. Students will be expected to
complete 12 Quiz Assignments available on Chi Tester. These quizzes
can be taken multiple times during the period that they are available until
students score 100% on the quiz . You will be expected to take part in up
to 10 credits of research experiences (Research Participation), by
either being a research participate, observer, or reviewer.
Finally, Class Attendance and Participation in class will also
be factored into your grade.
Grades:
The weighting of each assignment is described below.
Exams
(4)................................60%
Each exam..................15%
Written Assignments......................20%
Folk Psychology.............5%
Perception and Knowledge....5%
Gambling....................5%
Dear Abby...................5%
Quiz Assignments.........................10%
Research Participation................... 5%
Class Participation & Attendance......... 5%