Course Overview

Introduction to Psychology

This course, PSY 102: Introduction to Psychology I, provides a foundational overview of psychology as a scientific discipline. It covers the basic principles of psychology and their application to everyday life, introducing students to the study of behaviour and cognition. The course is structured to survey core areas of psychology, including research methods, biological bases of behaviour, sensation and perception, memory, and cognition.

• Definition: Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes.

• Applications: Understanding psychological principles can inform personal, academic, and professional life.

• Course Format: Delivered via live in-person lectures, with outlines provided in advance.

Course Structure and Topics

Weekly Topics and Readings

The course is organized into weekly lectures, each focusing on a major area of psychology. The schedule aligns with chapters from the recommended textbook, Psychology: From Inquiry to Understanding (5th Edition), but students may use any introductory psychology textbook for reference.

Additional info: The course covers the foundational chapters of most introductory psychology textbooks, ensuring alignment with standard curriculum topics.

Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes

Goals of the Course

• Introduce students to psychology and its sub-specialties.

• Highlight the scientific nature of psychological study.

• Acquaint students with the complexity of behavioural explanations.

• Demonstrate the relevance of psychological principles to professional life.

• Prepare students for advanced study in psychology.

• Enhance critical evaluation of psychological research in media and academic sources.

• Familiarize students with psychological research through direct participation.

Major Topics Covered

Research Methods in Psychology

Understanding research methods is essential for evaluating psychological claims and conducting scientific investigations. This topic covers the scientific method, data collection techniques, correlations, and experiments.

• Scientific Method: A systematic approach to inquiry involving observation, hypothesis formation, experimentation, and analysis.

• Data Collection: Methods include surveys, observations, case studies, and experiments.

• Correlational Studies: Examine relationships between variables but do not establish causation.

• Experiments: Manipulate independent variables to observe effects on dependent variables, allowing for causal conclusions.

• Example: Testing whether sleep affects memory by randomly assigning participants to different sleep conditions and measuring recall performance.

Biological Psychology

This area explores the neural and physiological bases of behaviour, including the structure and function of neurons and the anatomy of the brain.

• Neurons: Basic units of the nervous system responsible for transmitting information.

• Brain Anatomy: Key regions include the cortex, limbic system, and brainstem, each with specialized functions.

• Example: The hippocampus is critical for memory formation.

Sensation and Perception

Sensation refers to the process of detecting environmental stimuli, while perception involves interpreting these signals to form meaningful experiences.

• Vision: The eye detects light and transmits signals to the brain for processing.

• Hearing: Sound waves are converted into neural signals by the ear.

• Object Perception: The brain organizes sensory input into recognizable objects.

• Example: Perceiving a face in a crowd involves both sensation (detecting features) and perception (recognizing the face).

Consciousness and Sleep

This topic examines states of awareness, including divided attention, automaticity, subliminal perception, and the functions of sleep and dreaming.

• Divided Attention: The ability to focus on multiple tasks simultaneously.

• Automaticity: Performing tasks with little conscious effort due to practice.

• Subliminal Perception: Processing information below the threshold of conscious awareness.

• Sleep: Essential for cognitive functioning, memory consolidation, and overall health.

Learning

Learning involves changes in behaviour resulting from experience. Key forms include habituation, classical conditioning, and operant conditioning.

• Habituation: Decreased response to repeated stimuli.

• Classical Conditioning: Learning through association, as demonstrated by Pavlov’s dogs.

• Operant Conditioning: Learning based on consequences, such as rewards and punishments (Skinner).

• Example: Training a dog to sit using treats as positive reinforcement.

Memory

Memory encompasses the processes of encoding, storing, and retrieving information.

• Encoding: Transforming sensory input into a form that can be stored.

• Storage: Maintaining information over time.

• Retrieval: Accessing stored information when needed.

• Example: Remembering a phone number by repeating it several times (rehearsal).

Cognition: Language, Thinking, and Reasoning

This topic explores how humans use language, solve problems, and make decisions.

• Linguistic Relativity: The idea that language influences thought.

• Structure of Language: Includes phonemes, morphemes, syntax, and semantics.

• Problem-Solving: Strategies include algorithms, heuristics, and insight.

• Example: Using trial and error to solve a puzzle.

Assessment and Evaluation

Grading Components

Student performance is evaluated through assignments, exams, and research participation. The grading breakdown is as follows:

Additional info: Exams include multiple-choice and short-answer questions. The final exam is cumulative, with emphasis on later course material.

Academic Integrity and Policies

Academic Conduct

• Plagiarism: Presenting others’ work as your own is strictly prohibited.

• Cheating and Misrepresentation: Includes unauthorized collaboration, use of generative AI, and falsifying information.

• Turnitin: Assignments are submitted through Turnitin for plagiarism detection. Students may view their originality reports and resubmit before deadlines.

• Copyright: Course materials are protected and may not be shared without permission.

Student Support and Accessibility

Resources and Accommodations

• Academic Accommodation Support (AAS): Provides services for students with disabilities.

• Wellbeing Support: Includes mental health resources, crisis lines, and campus counseling services.

• Accessibility: Efforts are made to ensure all course materials and participation are accessible to everyone.

Participation in Research

Research Experience Requirement

Students are encouraged to participate in psychological research studies through the Sona system, earning up to 3% of their final grade. This provides firsthand experience with research methods and ethical considerations in psychology.

• Ethics: All studies are reviewed by the university’s Research Ethics Board.

• Alternative Assignments: Available for students who opt out of research participation.

Key Policies and Procedures

Missed Evaluations and Academic Consideration

• Students must inform instructors of any circumstances affecting academic performance and request accommodations as per university policy.

• Medical or compassionate grounds require documentation for extensions or makeup tests.

• Religious observance accommodations must be requested early in the term.

Conclusion

This syllabus provides a comprehensive guide to the structure, expectations, and resources for PSY 102: Introduction to Psychology I. Students are encouraged to engage actively with the material, utilize available resources, and adhere to academic integrity standards throughout the course.