Catalog Description

Hours: 54 lecture
Description: Introduction to the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Focuses on the exploration of major psychological theories and concepts, methods, and research findings in psychology. Topics include the biological bases of behavior, perception, cognition and consciousness, learning, memory, emotion, motivation, development, personality, social psychology, psychological disorders and therapeutic approaches, and applied psychology. (C-ID PSY 110) (CSU, UC)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Apply research methods (e.g., experimental, correlational, case study) and ethical guidelines to evaluate the scientific evidence for psychological claims.
  • CSLO #2: Apply and critique psychology’s major perspectives (e.g. behavioral, biological, cognitive, evolutionary, humanistic, psychodynamic, and sociocultural) as they relate to behavior and mental process.
  • CSLO #3: Utilize breadth and depth in several content areas of psychology (e.g., but not limited to): (1) research methods (2) biological bases of behavior and mental process (3) sensation (4) perception (5) cognition (6) social processes.

Effective Term

Fall 2022

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

54

Outside of Class Hours

108

Total Student Learning Hours

162

Course Objectives

1. Describe the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, research methods, core empirical findings, and historic trends in psychology.
a. Explain (including advantages and disadvantages) and compare major theoretical perspectives of psychology (e.g., behavioral, biological, cognitive, evolutionary, humanistic, psychodynamic and socio-cultural);
b. Describe and state the significance of the following nine general domains: (1) biological bases of behavior and mental processes, (2) sensation and perception, (3) learning and memory (4) cognition, consciousness, (5) individual differences, psychometrics/measurement, personality, (6) social processes (including those related to socio-cultural and international dimensions), (7) developmental changes in behavior and mental processes that occur across the lifespan, (8) psychological disorders, and (9) emotion and motivation;
c. Describe and critically analyze applied areas of psychology (e.g., clinical, counseling, forensic, community, organizational, school, health);
d. Compare and contrast the scientific and non-scientific methods of understanding and analysis.
2. Recognize and evaluate the impact of diversity on psychological research, theory and application, including (but not limited to): age, race, ethnicity, culture, gender, socio-economic status, disability, and sexual orientation.
3. Apply psychological principles to personal experience and social and organizational settings.
4. Demonstrate critical thinking skills and information competence as applied to psychological topics.

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • AA/AS - Behavioral Sciences
  • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
    • CSUGE - D9 Psychology
    • CSUGE - E1 Lifelong Learning and Self-Development
  • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
    • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)
      • IGETC - 4I Psychology

    Articulation Information

    • CSU Transferable
    • UC Transferable

    Methods of Evaluation

    • Essay Examinations
      • Example: 1. In an examination, write a short essay to, "Discuss and explain the role of priming as used in studies on subliminal perception." Essay will be evaluated based upon coherence, development of ideas, and accuracy. 2. In an examination, write a brief essay to, "Describe and explain the experimental evidence on "multitasking". Identify how the scientific evidence does or does not appear to accurately describe everyday behavior." Essay will be evaluated based upon coherence, development of ideas, and ability to convey the state of the psychological research on the topic of "multitasking".
    • Objective Examinations
      • Example: In an examination, a multiple choice question like the following, is used to evaluate understanding and the ability to apply the concept of correlation. Scientists conducted a study involving two variables. Their research indicated a strong positive correlation between the two variables. This means that A. as one variable increases, the other decreases. B. there is no observable association between the variables. C. there has been an error in the calculations. D. as one variable increases, the other also increases.
    • Problem Solving Examinations
      • Example: In an examination, briefly describe an experiment, experimental design, and procedures based on the following, "Imagine that you are a researcher charged with determining if a new drug improves memory. Design an experiment that will allow you to determine if the drug improves memory with respect to a placebo group." Response will be evaluated based on the logic of the experimental procedures and accuracy of experimental design.
    • Projects
      • Example: For a take home written assignment, "Select a recent popular claim related to the field of psychology. Seek and evaluate the validity of the available scientific evidence." Written assignments will be evaluated based upon topic selection, development of ideas, and selection and evaluation of supporting source materials.

    Repeatable

    No

    Methods of Instruction

    • Lecture/Discussion
    • Distance Learning

    Lecture:

    1. Lectures will be presented using slide , with accompanying audio-recordings and written transcripts to help accomplish the goal of universal access. Students will be directed to watch videos or go to websites when appropriate to delve into the lecture topic. For example, when discussing ways to examine the living human brain, students will be directed to watch a video of an fMRI scan to learn about how this scanning technique works, and the conclusions we can draw from the brain visuals it provides.
    2. Instructor designs an operant conditioning activity and then leads a discussion on behavioral shaping; instructor follows up on this concept by having students report to the class on a personal application of the concept.

    Distance Learning

    1. The college's LMS will be utilized to provide access to content in the form of course pages, links to videos, demonstrations, and outside resources. Optional video conference meetings may be offered, and recordings made available to students who cannot be present. The video conference audio-recordings and written transcripts will be made available to help accomplish the goal of universal access. For example, when discussing the topic of Attention, students will be directed to watch a video that demonstrates the difficulty of task switching. Thus, allowing students to experience the selective nature of attention.

    Typical Out of Class Assignments

    Reading Assignments

    1. Read chapter on memory and be prepared to discuss empirically-validated techniques to improve memory. 2. Read chapter on learning and bring to class two real-life examples of operant conditioning, to discuss in small groups. 3. Read chapter on memory and complete the online quiz found on the textbook's website.

    Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

    1. Apply learning theory to solve dog discipline issues or situations. 2. Evaluate a research paper and determine if there are breaches in ethical protocols.

    Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

    Required Materials

    • Exploring Psychology
      • Author: Myers, D & C. N. DeWall
      • Publisher: Worth
      • Publication Date: 2018
      • Text Edition: 12th
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:
    • Psychology: From Inquiry to Understanding
      • Author: Lilienfeld, Lynn, Namy, Woolf
      • Publisher: Pearson
      • Publication Date: 2018
      • Text Edition: 4th
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:
    • The Science of Psychology
      • Author: King, L
      • Publisher: McGraw-Hill
      • Publication Date: 2020
      • Text Edition: 5th
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:

    Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.