Introduction to Psychology I

Course Number:

PSY 201Z

Transcript Title:

Introduction to Psychology I

Created:

Aug 16, 2022

Updated:

Apr 25, 2024

Total Credits:

4

Lecture Hours:

40

Lecture / Lab Hours:

0

Lab Hours:

0

Satisfies Cultural Literacy requirement:

Yes

Satisfies General Education requirement:

Yes

Grading Options

A-F, P/NP, Audit

Default Grading Options

A-F

Repeats available for credit:

0

Alignment with Institutional Learning Outcomes

Major

1. Communicate effectively using appropriate reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. (Communication)

Major

2. Creatively solve problems by using relevant methods of research, personal reflection, reasoning, and evaluation of information. (Critical thinking and Problem-Solving)

Not Addressed

3. Extract, interpret, evaluate, communicate, and apply quantitative information and methods to solve problems, evaluate claims, and support decisions in their academic, professional and private lives. (Quantitative Literacy)

Major

4. Use an understanding of cultural differences to constructively address issues that arise in the workplace and community. (Cultural Awareness)

Minor

5. Recognize the consequences of human activity upon our social and natural world. (Community and Environmental Responsibility)

To establish an intentional learning environment, Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs) require a clear definition of instructional strategies, evidence of recurrent instruction, and employment of several assessment modes.

Major Designation

1. The outcome is addressed recurrently in the curriculum, regularly enough to establish a thorough understanding.
2. Students can demonstrate and are assessed on a thorough understanding of the outcome.
   • The course includes at least one assignment that can be assessed by applying the appropriate CLO rubric.

Minor Designation

1. The outcome is addressed adequately in the curriculum, establishing fundamental understanding.
2. Students can demonstrate and are assessed on a fundamental understanding of the outcome.
   • The course includes at least one assignment that can be assessed by applying the appropriate CLO rubric.

Suggested Outcome Assessment Strategies

The determination of assessment strategies is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: writings (journals, self-reflections, pre writing exercises, essays), quizzes, tests, midterm and final exams, group projects, presentations (in person, videos, etc), self-assessments, experimentations, lab reports, peer critiques, responses (to texts, podcasts, videos, films, etc), student generated questions, Escape Room, interviews, and/or portfolios.

Course Activities and Design

The determination of teaching strategies used in the delivery of outcomes is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: lecture, small group/forum discussion, flipped classroom, dyads, oral presentation, role play, simulation scenarios, group projects, service learning projects, hands-on lab, peer review/workshops, cooperative learning (jigsaw, fishbowl), inquiry based instruction, differentiated instruction (learning centers), graphic organizers, etc.

Course Content

Outcome #1: Identify psychological, biological, and other factors that influence behavior and mental processes.

• Elements of behavior and thinking.
  • Cognitive
  • Physiological
  • Biological
  • Social
  • Environmental
  • Psychological
• Clarify the differences between biological and physiological, social and environmental.
  • Biological and physiological
  • Social and environmental
• Negative elements creating change in behavior, attitude, and thinking.

Outcome #2: Apply key theories and concepts in psychology.

• Historical development and timeline of Psychology.
  • Introspection – William Wundt
  • Structuralism – Titchener
  • Functionalism – James, Dewey, & Pierce
  • Psychoanalytical theory – Freud
  • Gestalt psychology
  • Behaviorism
  • Humanism
  • Feminist psychology
  • Cognitive theory
  • Biopsychology
  • Evolutionary psychology
• Historic transitions from theory to theory
• Differences and similarities that exist between theories
• Define the modern version of psychology

Outcome #3: Evaluate claims about psychological phenomena and human behavior through the use of empirical evidence and knowledge of the scientific method.

• Psychological phenomena compared to other phenomena.
  • Perception
  • Reverse psychology
  • Bystander effect
  • Online disinhibition effect
  • Deja vu
• Empirical evidence.
• Scientific method.
  • Deductive reasoning
  • Inductive reasoning
  • Hypothesis and null hypothesis
  • Falsifiable hypothesis
• Psychological research methods.
  • Naturalistic
  • Clinical
  • Case studies
  • Surveys
  • Archival
  • Longitudinal & cross-sectional
  • Correlational
  • Causal
• Use of quantitative vs qualitative research
• Statistical research
  • Correlation and the correlation coefficient.
  • Measurement of Central Tendency.
  • Biases and negative issues that can be found in research.
    • Experimenter bias
    • Inter-rater reliability
    • Observer bias
    • Opinions
    • Reliability and validity issues
    • Lack of randomness
    • Illusory correlations
• Human behavior.

Outcome #4: Demonstrate knowledge about the ways psychological science and practices are contextualized by ethical standards and sociocultural factors.

• Definition of psychological.
• Ethics
  • Applications
  • Limits
  • Use in psychological research
  • Used in psychology-based therapy
  • Tuskegee Syphilis Study
    • As it relates to professional ethics
    • As it relates to the sociocultural factors of the time
  • Society’s influence on one’s personal code of ethics
  • Ethics vs Morality – Example Dilemmas
    • Your roommate didn’t heed your suggestion to study for the test, and is now trying to get you to let them copy your answers. Your choice?
    • Your parents have separated prior to divorcing. You are old enough to choose whom to live with – your choice?
    • You are a passenger on a sinking cruise ship with your significant other and your daughter. You have a lifeboat, but there is only room for two of you. The person who does not get on the lifeboat will surely drown. Who do you put on the lifeboat?
    • You apply for several jobs and two say they want to hire you. One offers more money but requires traveling and quite a few extra hours spent working. The other pays less but you have regular hours for work and for time off. Which do you choose?
  • Making decisions

Suggested Texts and Materials

• Recommended:  OpenStax Psychology 2e, Rice University (OER)