... Introduction to Psychology Course Number Format: Hybrid Meeting days, times, location FACULTY INFORMATION Instructor: Contact Info: Office Location: Office Hours: COURSE DESCRIPTION Course Description Introduction to the science of cognition and behavior. Topics include the biological foundations of cognition and behavior, sensation, perception, learning, memory, motivation, emotion, lifespan development, personality and adjustment, social interactions, and cognitive and behavioral abnormalities Course Learning Outcomes: Describe the scientific method in relation to psychological research Describe the major psychological concepts and theories in psychology Differentiate between and describe the subareas of psychology, including but not limited to cognitive, social, clinical, behavioral, and physiological. Identify the major founders and influential psychologists over various areas and theories of psychology. Apply psychological concepts to real-world situations. Course Narrative Introduction to Psychology is a broad course that provides a glimpse into many different areas of psychology which can be applied to various aspects of life. Because of the topic, students are encouraged to apply the concepts to both their life and their educational experience. This is a hybrid course. Students will spend 1.5 hours in class and then have online assignments to complete as well. Required Textbooks Psychology 2e https://openstax.org/details/books/psychology-2e Introduction to Psychology Course Number Format: Hybrid Meeting days, times, location ASSESSMENT & GRADING Exams There will be 3 section exams at 50 points each. The exams will include a combination of multiple-choice questions, fill in the blank, matching, and an essay question. All exams will be completed on Canvas and will be due Sunday at 11:59pm the week they are scheduled. They will be available on Canvas for at least 72 hours before they close. Because they are on Canvas, they will be open book and open notes, but there will be a time limit, so you do need to study for the exams. Missed Examinations: If you know that you will miss an exam because of a school sanctioned event, you must contact me at least ONE week before the exam is made available in order to schedule a time to take the exam early. The exams are already scheduled and are open for at least 72 hours, therefore an inability to take the exam during that time frame should not occur. If you miss an exam, you must notify me WITHIN 24 HOURS of the due date about making up the exam. If it is considered an unexcused absence, your exam grade will automatically be deducted 50% if they are granted the right to take the exam late. As the professor, I reserve the right to determine whether the students missed exam is excused (within Wilson College guidelines) and the right to deny the student the ability to make-up an unexcused missed exam. *Exams are worth 50% of your grade. Application Projects There will be 3 projects due after each section exam except the third exam (see deadlines in syllabus). The purpose of these mini projects will be to apply the concepts you are learning to real life situations. You will complete an applied project for each section of material. Each project will require you to apply a concept through an activity, and then write a 23-page report. Specific details and requirements, including a rubric for each project, will be provided as we go through the material. Project turned in late will be deducted 10% per day it is late. *Application Projects are worth 20% of your grade. Online Assignments Quizzes: Introduction to Psychology Course Number Format: Hybrid Meeting days, times, location Because this is a hybrid course, attendance is not only in class but also online. You will be required to complete a 5-point quiz at the beginning of each chapter. The quiz may be multiple choice, short answer, and/or an application question. You must submit these quizzes by the start of class on the due date, typically the day that the material is started. The purpose of the assignment is to ensure that you are reading the material before coming to class and for you to assess your reading comprehension. Late submissions will not be accepted. These assignments will be made available at least 5 days before the deadline. You must submit these assignments and quizzes by the start of class on the due date. Discussion Boards/Homework: In addition to quizzes, there will be required posts in a discussion board. You need to contribute 2 posts during the week but are encouraged to post more. You must complete a post that is a direct reply to my prompt, and then a second post that is a response to a fellow student. Each week is worth 5 points for posting in the boards. Details and expectations for these posts will be provided on each discussion board in Canvas. The board will open the day that we start discussing the material in class. You will have 7 days to post in the discussion board unless otherwise specified. Late posts will be deducted .5 point for each day it is late. Some weeks there will be a homework assignment INSTEAD of discussion boards. Unless otherwise stated, all homework assignments will be due on Canvas by the start of the following class period. Most may be completed in small groups. Each assignment has specific instructions posted on Canvas. *Online Assignments are worth 20% of your grade. Note to Professor (remove from syllabus for students): The end of each chapter has review questions. Choose 5 questions across different sections of each chapter. If the quizzes are administered online, it is possible to load all the multiple-choice questions into the quiz and have the Online Learning System choose 5 for a 5-point quiz. See quiz format options below: Quiz Format Options: - 5 multiple choice/true false questions - 3 multiple choice/true false questions (1-point each) and 1 critical thinking question (2 points) - 1 personal application question (~4-5 sentence answer) *For the open-ended questions, I would have minimal choices so that it is quicker to grade. It may be everyone does the same personal application question or only 2 possible different ones for the online learning system to choose from. I also might extend the time for quizzes with open-ended questions. For example, a time limit is probably not necessary if the quiz is 1 personal application question or make it 15-20 minutes. In-Class Assignments Introduction to Psychology Course Number Format: Hybrid Meeting days, times, location There will be random in-class assignments at 5 points each that students will complete and turn in during class. These may include pop quizzes, small group work, brief writing assignments, or any in-class activity. If students miss class, they may NOT make-up any missed in-class assignments. If a student misses the assignment due to a university or school sanctioned event or other excused absence, the student will not be able to make up the assignment, however they will not receive a grade for it. It will neither hurt nor help the student. However, class attendance is imperative. The lowest in-class assignment grade will be dropped. This means students are allowed 1 unexcused absence. *In-Class Assignments are worth 10% of your grade Grading Scale and System Summary of Grades Exams: Application Projects: Online Assignments In-Class Assignments: 50% 20% 20% 10% Grading Scale A 100% - 93% A - 92.9% - 90% B+ 89.9% - 87% B 86.9% - 83% B - 82.9% - 80% C+ 79.9% - 77% C 76.9% - 73% C- 72.9% - 70% D+ 69.9% - 67% C 66.9% - 63% D- 62.9% - 60% F 59.9% or less Grading Policies 48-Hour Coupon I understand that sometimes things happen. Life does not always go according to plan and the time set aside to do an assignment may be interrupted. Because of this, you are given TWO 48-hour coupons that you can turn up to two assignments* in no more than 48 hours late. To redeem a coupon, you must post in the comment box of the assignment on Canvas that you are redeeming the coupon within 48-hours of the due date and time along with completing the assignment in that time frame. *For this class, these can only be applied to Application Projects and Reading Quizzes. The coupons may not be used on exams and in-class assignments. Late-work policy Introduction to Psychology Course Number Format: Hybrid Meeting days, times, location Because of the variety of assignments, the late policy is unique to each assignment. Please refer to each type of assignment to review the late policy in italics. If you have questions on the policy, please do not hesitate to ask. Make-up work policy On occasion, I will accept make-up work. This is decided on a case-by-case basis. Therefore, you must email me to discuss the situation. I may require an in-person appointment as well to discuss the situation in further detail and develop a plan for future assignments. Extra credit policy There may be opportunities to earn extra credit throughout the semester. Extra credit assignments typically earn 1-2% extra credit that is added to the final grade at the end of the semester. A student can earn a max of 10% extra credit throughout the semester. A student must have a C or higher for the extra credit to be added to their final grade. The extra credit is intended to improve a passing grade, not to allow a student to pass the class. COURSE POLICIES Electronic Devices The use of electronic devices such as laptop computers, tablets, and cell phones is permitted in this class. It is expected that the use of such devices is for the betterment of the student learning and does not distract. As college students, you are adults and have ownership over your education. It is your choice how you spend your time in class and utilize your time. If electronic devices become a distraction, you will be asked to leave and forfeit any points that may occur from in-class assignments in class. Professionalism 1. Come to class having read the material and prepared to discuss. 2. Dont be afraid to ask questions and participate. If you have a question, most likely another student has the same question. 3. Avoid habitual tardiness. It is disrespectful and distracting to your peers and myself. Also, once I start screen sharing, it is difficult to still see the waiting room, and I may not realize you are even waiting to come into class. 4. Be respectful of your professor and your peers. You are encouraged to share your thoughts and opinions and respect the thoughts and opinions of others while engaging in class activities and/or discussions. Should you exhibit disrespectful behavior, you will be asked to leave class. Email Policy I will respond to all emails within 24hrs or less Monday 8:00am through Friday 5:00pm and within 48hrs over the weekend. You must include your name and which class you are in when emailing a question. Introduction to Psychology Course Number Format: Hybrid Meeting days, times, location Introduction to Psychology Course Number Format: Hybrid Meeting days, times, location Dates Week 1 Chapters Due Dates Welcome and Chapter 1 8/29 Week 2 Chapter 2 Psychological Research Chapter 2 quiz due Week 3 Chapter 7 Thinking Chapter 7 & 8 quiz due 9/12 (7.1 & 7.3) 9/5 Chapter 8 Memory (8.1, 8.3, & 8.4) Week 4 Chapter 12 Social Psychology Chapter 12 quiz due 9/19 Week 5 Exam 1 (1, 2, 7, 8, 12) 9/26 Week 5 cont. Chapter 3 Biopsychology 10/3 Week 6 Chapter 3 Biopsychology cont. Project 1 due at start of class Chapter 3 quiz due Week 7 Chapter 6 Learning Chapter 6 quiz due Fall Break Enjoy! Chapter 10 Motivation Chapter 10 quiz due Chapter 4 States of Consciousness Chapter 4 quiz due 10/10 Week 8 10/17 Week 9 10/24 Week 10 10/31 Week 11 Exam 2 (3, 6, 10, 4) Introduction to Psychology Course Number Format: Hybrid Meeting days, times, location 11/7 Week 11 cont. Chapter 11 Personality Week 12 Chapter 11 Personality cont. 11/14 Project 2 due at start of class Chapter 11 quiz due Week 13 11/21 Week 14 Chapter 15 Psychological Disorders (15.1-15.6) Chapter 15 quiz due Chapter 15 cont. (15.7-15.11) Chapter 15 quiz 2 due Chapter 16 Therapy Chapter 16 quiz due 11/28 Week 15 12/5 Project 3 due at 11:59pm last day of semester Finals Week Exam 3 (11, 15, 16) Exam 3 - TBA Note to the Professor: Order of Chapters - - - Students have requested to learn the memory chapter early in the semester so that they can use that information throughout the semester as they study. I have found that students are more successful in the Biopsychology chapter when it is covered later in the semester. Many of our students take General Biology in the first semester, so they have more background when cover it. Also, I have found many students struggle with that type of material early on. If you prefer to cover all of Chapters 7 & 8, I would give them each a week and then shorten Chapters 10 and 4 to fit in 1 week. I am a Social Psychologist, so I always cover Chapter 12. This would be a chapter that you could substitute out for a chapter not covered based on the professors specialty/preference. I start each section of material with what I think is the most challenging chapter and end the section with material the students find most interesting or engaging. For example, students love talking about sleep and dreams which is why section 2 ends with States of Consciousness. I spend 2 weeks on Psychological Disorders because it is such a large chapter and because students are very interested in the material. If there is an additional chapter you want to cover, you could condense this down to one chapter. Introduction to Psychology Course Number Format: Hybrid Meeting days, times, location Introduction to Psychology Course Number Format: Hybrid Meeting days, times, location Application Project #1 Naturalistic Observation Based on Chapter 2 For this assignment, you will do a naturalistic observation or glorified people watching. As with all naturalistic observation, you are NOT to make any changes to the environment. You will just passively observe a situation and take notes. The purpose of this assignment is to work through the scientific method of creating a hypothesis, operationally defining your variables, carrying out the observation, and interpreting the results. YOU ARE NOT TO SPY ON ANYONE! THERE IS A DIFFERENCE. YOU MAY ONLY WATCH PEOPLE IN PUBLIC PLACES. DO NOT INTERFERE WITH ANYONE OR LET THEM KNOW YOU ARE WATCHING THEM ALL YOU DO IS OBSERVE & TAKE NOTE. Completing the Observation 1. Decide what you will observe and develop a theory and hypothesis. a. Create a theory based on previous knowledge and experiences. b. Define a specific, testable hypothesis based on the theory. Operationally define your variables before you observe. 2. Choose a setting and time for the observation. You will spend approximately 30 minutes observing. a. Be aware of where and when you do your observation. If you are watching how many cars stop at a stop sign, make sure you choose a time and place that enough cars will drive through the area in 30 minutes to get enough data. 3. Take notes on everything you observe about your subjects! Attach the notes to your write-up. They do not need to be typed. 4. Take a picture the location that you observe. This is to help show that you did the observation. Write a Report Write a 2-page-typed, 12-point font, double spaced report. Your report should include: 1. Introduction: Describe what you wanted to observe and why. Clearly state your theory, hypothesis, and operationally definitions of your variables. Describe the setting and why you chose that setting. 2. Results: Report your data (in raw numbers and/or percentages). Provide a detailed account of your subjects and behaviors observed. Dont just report the data but also explain what you observed. 3. Conclusion: Based on your data, what can you conclude about your hypothesis? Does your data support or refute your hypothesis? Discuss any larger conclusions that you draw based on what you found. In other words, what are the larger implications of your findings. Finally, critique your method. What may have biased or affected the results that you found? If you were to do it again, what would you change and why? Introduction to Psychology Course Number Format: Hybrid Meeting days, times, location 4. Notes and Picture: Attach your notes and picture to your report. These are not counted within the 2-page requirement for the report. If submitted electronically, either add the picture of the location and a picture of the notes as additional documents or at the end of the report. Possible Ideas - How many people hold the door for people behind them? Observe what types of drinks people get in the dining hall. Are people more likely to order a hot or cold beverage at a local coffee shop? How many people drive through a yellow light? Observe use and care of shopping carts. How many people wipe down gym equipment after using it? Do people look at their cell phone while at a stoplight? Observe children on a playground. Naturalistic Observation Rubric Criteria Points Available What is the observation about and why is it worth studying? What is the setting and why? 5 Theory, hypothesis, and operationally definitions of variables are clearly and accurately stated. 5 Reporting of data and detailed description of subjects observed 5 Thoughtful conclusions and critiques based on the data 5 Picture of setting and notes from observation Grammar 5 Total 30 5 Points Earned Introduction to Psychology Course Number Format: Hybrid Meeting days, times, location Application Project #2 Behavior Modification based on Chapter 6 1. Choose a behavior that you would like to change: either increase or decrease the frequency. This needs to be a behavior that you can quantify/measure. In other words, if you want to change the behavior that you want to be a better driver, how would you actually measure that? Keep it simple for this project. Because this is only something that you are doing for 10 days, choose a behavior occurs at least once a day. Some suggestions but you dont have to use these: a. How often you floss b. Study time c. Cleaning up your dorm room/apartment: e.g. putting clothes away, washing dishes, putting your school books away d. Exercising 2. Specify how you are going to measure your behavior. For example, if I chose exercise, am I tracking how long I exercise for or how often I exercise. 3. Specify how you are going to either reinforce or punish the behavior. Is it positive or negative? How often are you going to reinforce or punish the behavior? Every time? If you choose to reinforce the behavior, specify the schedule of reinforcement: fixed-ratio, fixed-interval, variable-ratio, variable-ratio. 4. Baseline: Track the rate of your behavior for 5 consecutive days. Be smart on what 5 days you track it. If you are measuring study time, you may not want to have Friday and Saturday be 2 of your 5 days. The purpose of tracking the behavior for these 5 days is to identify a baseline. 5. Treatment: For an additional 5 consecutive days, reinforce or punish your behavior. Track the rate of the behavior across these 5 days. These do not have to be the 5 days following your first 5 days. For example, if you are tracking your study time, you may want to track your behavior Monday Friday. When you reinforce/punish the behavior, you may want to track the behavior Monday Friday as well. 6. In a 2-page write-up, include the information outlined above (points 1-3) and the following: a. Describe the behavior you want to change and why. b. State how you plan to measure the behavior and why you chose that form of measurement. c. Identify the consequences of behavior as positive or negative reinforcement or punishment and explain why it is that type of consequence. If you choose to reinforce the behavior, specify the schedule of reinforcement: fixed-ratio, fixed-interval, variable-ratio, variable-ratio. d. Describe your data you collected. How often did the behavior occur during the baseline period? How often did the behavior occur during the treatment period? Introduction to Psychology Course Number Format: Hybrid Meeting days, times, location e. Draw conclusions from your behavior modification. Did your reinforcement/punishment work? If so, why do you think? If not, why do you think? If you were to continue with the reinforcer/punisher, is there anything you would change? f. Include a chart with your data for all 10 days, each day being a different column. g. Include a graph of your data across all 10 days. See example on the following page. Rubric Criteria Description of behavior to change and specification of how the behavior will be measured. Points Available 5 For example, if I chose exercise, am I tracking how long I exercise for or how often I exercise. Reinforcement or Punishment 5 Specify how you are going to either reinforce or punish the behavior. Is it positive or negative? How often are you going to reinforce or punish the behavior? Every time? If you choose to reinforce the behavior, specify the schedule of reinforcement: fixed-ratio, fixed-interval, variable-ratio, variable-ratio. Description of Data Collected 5 Report and describe both your baseline data and treatment data. Describe your experiences throughout the process and any extraneous variables that influenced the rate of response of behavior. Conclusions from Behavior Modification 5 Draw conclusions from your behavior modification. Did your reinforcement/punishment work? If so, why do you think? If not, why do you think? If you were to continue with the reinforcer/punisher, is there anything you would change? Graph and chart of data 5 There is a chart included that provides numeric data of all instances of behavior across the baseline and treatment periods. There is a graph included that provides a visual representation of the behavior occurrences. Grammar 5 Total 30 Points Earned Introduction to Psychology Course Number Format: Hybrid Meeting days, times, location Introduction to Psychology Course Number Format: Hybrid Meeting days, times, location Application Project #3 The Big Five Personality Factor Model based on Chapter 11 Follow the link below to a personality inventory for the Big Five Personality Traits. Follow the direction in the inventory, answering each of the questions. Screenshot your results and insert on the last page of your paper. After completing the inventory, do a 2-3 page write up following the criteria below. Your paper should be at least 3 pages, including your screen shot of your inventory results. Turn in a copy on canvas. http://www.personalityassessor.com/bigfive/ (Links to an external site.) Write-Up Report 1. Identify and describe the 5 factors of the Big Five Personality Traits (About 1 paragraph). 2. After taking the personality inventory, what was your score on each of these traits. Do you agree or disagree with the scores on the inventory (About 1 paragraph)? Include a screenshot of your results at the end of the essay. 3. For each trait (about 1 paragraph for EACH trait), explain how you can see examples of that trait in 2 aspects of your life: a. Personal life b. Choice of major/career Big 5 Rubric Criteria Description of the Big 5 Traits and Theory Points Available 5 Description of results and screenshot of results 5 Application of Extraversion 3 Application of Agreeableness 3 Application of Conscientiousness 3 Application of Neuroticism 3 Application of Openness 3 Grammar 5 Total 30 Points Earned Introduction to Psychology Course Number Format: Hybrid Meeting days, times, location Discussion Board Requirement Description Requirements: You are required to post at least 2 replies each chapter spread out across each discussion board. One post must be a direct reply to my question. The other post can be either a response to a fellow student OR a direct reply to my other discussion board prompt. Regardless, both responses must be spread out across both discussion boards. There are 2 discussion boards for each chapter, so that is one post on each discussion board. In addition to those 2 required posts, you can submit extra posts for extra credit (see grading below). Each response must be 3-5 sentences and reflect on the information in the textbook and/or notes. Grading: Each reply is worth 2.5 points; 5 points max for each chapter. At least 1 reply for the week must be completed by that Friday at noon. You will lose at least a 1/2 point each day past Friday for that first post. This is to allow your fellow classmates the ability to reply to your posts. Extra Credit: You can post up to 2 extra posts each week as replies to your fellow students for extra credit. Each additional post is worth .5 extra point. This means you could earn up to 6/5 points most weeks. Best Practices: If you are replying to a student, make sure you click reply on that student's post, not on the overall discussion board. When replying to another student's post, please make sure to extend on the information, ask questions, constructively critique the response, etc. To receive full points, you have to critically reflect on their response and ADD to the discussion. Possible Discussion Board Post *Each week there are 2 discussion boards. 1 board is about a specific topic for the students to work with. The second post is the same each week and is below: 2/2 Prompt: Identify 2 important concepts and describe those concepts in your own words. Explain why they are important and connect them to a real world or personal example. AND Identify 2 interesting or confusing concepts that you would want to further explore and why. *As you respond to each others posts, provide further clarification on the confusing concepts or ask additional questions if it is a concept you find interesting. Introduction to Psychology Course Number Format: Hybrid Meeting days, times, location CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International This license requires that reusers give credit to the creator. It allows reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, for noncommercial purposes only. If others modify or adapt the material, they must license the modified material under identical terms. BY: Alexandra Toms, MS NC: Only noncommercial use of your work is permitted. Noncommercial means not primarily intended for or directed towards commercial advantage or monetary compensation. SA: Adaptations must be shared under the same terms. Course PSY 110: Introduction to Psychology 2022 by Alexandra Toms is licensed underCC BY-NC-SA 4.0 ...