Instructor Mr. O’Donnell
824-3400 Ext 5578
Course Overview:
Psychology is the study of mental processes and human behavior. The goal of this class is to help students better understand how the mind works, how to improve their own learning processes, and how to relate well to other people. Some topics covered will be learning and cognitive behavior, how the mind and body affect behavior, psychological research methods, personality and individuality, adjustment and breakdown, coping with stress and conflict, and human relations. Activities include class discussions, cooperative learning, lectures, simulations, demonstrations, research projects, presentations, and interactive media. Course objectives
will be evaluated through homework,case studies, application activities, quizzes,research projects, computer activities, and a cumulative final exam.
Course Description:
In this college level psychology course students will prepare rigorously for the AP Psychology exam by analyzing the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. Students will study the history of psychology as a science, prominent psychologists and their theories, motivation and emotion, memory, states of consciousness, research methods, learning principles and applications, human development from infancy through old age, theories of personality development, and psychological disorders. Students will interpret readings and real-life case studies. Through critical writing, discussion, research, and experimentation, students will relate psychological theories to current events and make assumptions about how psychology affects the world today. Finally, students will be prepared to successfully complete the AP Psychology exam.
OBJECTIVES:
After completing the course, students will be able to:
· Explain what the “science” of psychology means and how it developed
· Explain how psychologists conduct research
· Explain what scientific research tells us about the mind
· Explain the major core concepts and theories of psychology
· Describe both biological and environmental influences on development
· Describe the various states of consciousness
· Define abnormal behavior, and discuss the classifications of abnormal behavior
· Evaluate treatments of psychological disorders
· Compare various methods of psychotherapy
· Prepare for the AP Psychology Examination
· Apply psychological concepts in their own lives
· Develop critical thinking skills
Reading:
In addition to use of the adopted text, students are expected to read from a variety of
sources including newspapers/periodicals, charts, graphs, case studies, and current literature in the field. Reading activities should be geared to reinforce the ability of students to reason, observe, listen, and evaluate. From this exposure, students are expected to enhance the skills of mastery, comprehension, interpretation and analysis of information.
Writing:
Students are expected to write regularly and effectively in various domains including
narrative, descriptive, persuasive, analytical and practical. In addition, students are expected to illustrate in their writing the ability to make generalizations and predictions, identify bias, identify cause and effect, and apply information gained. Suggested written assignments include essays, book reviews, document based questions, journals and research papers.
Note Taking from readings:
Notes will be completed using the color coded method described in the instructions provided. This will help to reinforce many of the concepts and topics covered in the text. These will be checked periodically for completion. This is the ticket to retaining the information so that you can be successful on the AP exam.
ISBN: / 0131920189Book Title: / Morris, Maisto, Psychology: An Introduction, 12th Edition - Student Edition, School Binding 2005
Text Resource:
Topical Outline:
· Introduction and Research Methods (Methods Domain)
- Science and History of Psychology
- Methods for examining behavior and mental processes
- Review of Scientific careers available in the discipline
- Ethics and Acceptable Practice
· Biological Bases of Behavior (Biopsychological Domain)
- How the brain processes information
- How body adapts to demands of its environment
- Sensation and Perception
· Learning (Cognitive Domain)
- Classical conditioning
- Operant conditioning
- Cognitive Learning
· Memory (Cognitive Domain)
- Types, Processes, and Stages of Memory
- Consciousness
§ Sleep and Dreaming
§ Meditation, Biofeedback, and Hypnosis
§ Psychoactive Drug Effects
· Thinking and Language (Cognitive Domain)
- Role of Language
- Problem Solving, Creativity, Reasoning
- Intelligence
· Lifespan Development (Developmental Domain)
- Influence of nature and nurture from conception to death
- Gender roles
- Physical, Social, Cognitive Development
§ Infancy and Childhood
§ Adolescence
§ Adulthood
· Motivation and Emotion (Biopsychological Domain)
- Biological Bases
- Motivational Forces
- Theories of Needs, Emotion
- Conflict, Stress, and Coping
· Personality (Sociocultural Domain)
- Personality Theories and Approaches
- Measuring Personality and Personal Abilities
§ Types and Uses of Psychological Tests
§ Ethics and Validity of Tests
§ Psychological Disorders (Sociocultural Domain)
- Mental Disorders
- Treatment and Therapy
· Sociocultural Influences and Self (Sociocultural Domain)
- Relationships
Course Outline:
Unit 1 – Applications
Time Outcomes = 12 Class Periods
1. Science of Psychology
A) What is Psychology and its History
B) Great Thinkers
C) Founding Fathers of Psychology
D) What do psychologists do
E) Contemporary Perspectives
F) Psychological Methods
G) Conducting Research
H) Surveys, Samples, and Populations
I) Methods of Observation
J) Ethics
Unit 2 – Applications
Time Outcomes 10 Class Periods
2. Life Span Development
A) Prenatal and Newborn
B) Infancy and Childhood
C) Adolescence
D) Adulthood
E) Late Adulthood - Aging
Unit 3 – Applications
Time Outcomes 16 Class Periods
3. Biological Basis of Behavior
A) Nervous System
B) The Brain
C) Endocrine System
D) Heredity / Genetics
E) Sensation and Perception
F) Vision
G) Hearing
H) Senses
Unit 4 – Applications
Time Outcomes = 8 Class Periods
4. States of Consciousness
A) Consciousness
B) Sleep and Dreams
C) Meditation / Hypnosis
D) Drug-Altered States
E) Assessments
Unit 5 – Applications
Time Outcomes = 8 Class Periods
5. Memory
A) Memory
B) Three Process of Memory
C) Three Stages of Memory
D) Forgetting
E) Amnesia
F) Assessments
Unit 6 – Applications
Time Outcomes – 8 Class Periods
6. Intelligence
A) Theories of Intelligence
B) Intelligence Testing
C) What Determines Intelligence
D) Extremes of Intelligence
E) Assessments
Unit 7 – Applications
Time Outcomes = 10 Class Periods
7. Personality
A) Approaches to Personality
B) Personality Assessment
C) Trait Approach
D) Psychoanalytical Approach
E) Learning Approach
F) Humanistic Approach
G) Sociocultural Approach
H) Assessments
Unit 8 – Applications
Time Outcomes = 12 Class Periods
8. Psychological Disorders
A) Anxiety Disorders
B) Dissociative Disorders
C) Somatoform Disorders
D) Mood Disorders
E) Schizophrenia
F) Personality Disorders
G) Assessments
Unit 8 – Applications
Time Outcomes = 13 Class Periods
9. STUDENT PRESENTATIONS
A) Social Psychology
Social Cognition
Attitudes
Social Influence
Social Action
B) Therapies
Insight / Behavior Therapies
Cognitive / Group Therapies
Biological Treatments
Institutionalization and Alternatives
C) Motivation and Emotion
Perspectives on Motivation / Hunger & Thirst
Sex / Other Motives
Emotions / Nonverbal Communication
D) Learning
Classical Conditioning / Operant Conditioning
Latent Learning / Observational Learning
Recovery / Desensitization
E) Cognition and Language
Building of Thoughts & Language
Problem Solving / Decision Making
Unit 9 Preparation AP EXAM
Time Outcomes = 3 Class Periods
A) Tips For Test Taking
B) Practice Exams (Princeton Review)
Grades: A = > 93% / B = 85 – 92% / C = 77 – 84% / D = 70 – 76% / F
You are encouraged to keep track of your own grades during the grading period. Any discrepancies between your records and information provided in progress reports should be discussed immediately. It is also suggested that all graded assignments (Level 1 & 2) be returned and filed in your class folder for future reference.
Responsibilities: You are a young adult; I expect you to act the part.
- Preparation: Come to class each day prepared.
o Pen or Pencil: You will need a writing utensil in class daily. You may borrow one from the cup. Please return it sharpened for the next class.
o Color Coded Text Notes: These must be completed prior to the start of class when assigned.
o Large notebook (3 subject) or 3 ring binder
- Tardiness: Being on time for class means being within the classroom at the sound of the bell. Three “Tardies” will result in a written referral.
- Respect personal property: If it isn’t yours please get permission from others before taking, borrowing, or hiding another person’s property.
- Absences: MAKE – UP WORK IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. You will have one week to complete missed work and or make up tests/quizzes. Due dates matter. Should there be an issue talk to me about it… you will get much further communicating concerns than ignoring consequences.
- Cell Phone Use – There is to be NO CELL PHONE USE in this classroom.
- I pods – The use of approved devices is reserved for individual reading time and or assignment periods.
Environment
I prefer a relaxed environment with two-way respect. However, we are here for a reason and I expect us to work together to achieve our purpose. Whether that purpose is to get through and graduate, go to college, or take the AP Exam, the classroom expectations are the same. You need to be respectful of yourself, your fellow students and the teacher. You need to be on time, ready to participate and prepared for class.
Graduation: There is not an EASY OUT for this course. If you are in danger of not receiving the credit needed to graduate, please come see me while there is time.