Intro to Psychology as a Behavioural Science: Orientation, Syllabus, and Key Concepts

Course Orientation and Introduction

Overview of Psychology as a Behavioural Science

Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes. As a behavioural science, it seeks to understand individuals and groups through systematic research and empirical methods.

• Behavioural Science: Focuses on observable actions and underlying mental processes.

• Scientific Approach: Utilizes research methods to test hypotheses and develop theories.

• Course Structure: Includes lectures, intermissions, and interactive activities to facilitate learning.

Course Syllabus and Assessment Structure

Accessing the Syllabus

Students are required to access the course syllabus via the Brightspace site, which outlines essential information about course policies, assessment, and resources.

• Go to Brightspace → Course Essentials → Syllabus

Assessment Overview

Assessment in this course is designed to evaluate understanding of key psychological concepts through assignments and exams.

Assessment	Worth Value	Details
Process Assignments (PA)	30% (4 assignments at 7.5% each)	Submit on Brightspace as PDF
Midterm Exam	30%	Online, covers Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 6; 15 MCQs per chapter + 20 lecture-based questions
Final Exam	40%	Cumulative; 15 MCQs per chapter for Ch. 5, 7, 11; 5 MCQs per chapter for Ch. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6
Optional Bonus Points	Up to 3%	Extra credit assignment or participant pool

Class Format and Communication

Typical Class Structure

• Lecture Part A: 7:00pm - 8:30pm

• Intermission: 20 minutes

• Lecture Part B: 8:50pm - 9:50pm

Methods of Communication

• Announcements & Weekly Blog: Regular updates on class activities and important information.

• Email: Use UWindsor email; allow 24-48 hours for responses.

• Office Hours: Book appointments with Graduate Assistants (GAs) or attend instructor's Zoom office hours.

Graduate Assistant (GA) Support

Role of Senior GA and Assigned GAs

• Senior GA: Coordinates support team, handles SAS accommodations, and manages urgent issues.

• Assigned GAs: Each student is assigned a GA based on last name for course-related support.

Last Name	Assigned GA	Approx. Responsible for
A - Coa	Perpetual A.	52 students
Coll - Gum	Harpreet J.	52 students
Mar - Med	Aryana M.	52 students
Mer - Sal	Carli M.	52 students
Sar - Zin	Mahshid S.	52 students

• GAs can help with: General questions, assessment clarifications, feedback, and office hours.

• SAS Students: Contact Senior GA for accommodations.

Developing MCQ Questions for Exams

Key Concepts and Main Ideas

Exams are structured to test understanding of key concepts and main ideas from each chapter. Students should focus on major subsections and subheadings in the textbook.

• 15 MCQs per chapter, covering broad and specific concepts.

• Longer subsections may have more questions; shorter ones fewer.

• Critical thinking is essential for identifying important concepts.

Quiz: Common Misconceptions in Psychology

Sample True/False Statements

Students are encouraged to reflect on their beliefs about psychology and distinguish between myths and evidence-based facts.

• Psychotherapy: Not simply talking to a good listener; involves structured therapeutic techniques.

• Mind Reading: Psychologists cannot read minds; they interpret behaviour and self-reports.

• Psychotherapy Need: Not only for 'crazy' people; beneficial for a range of mental health concerns.

• Memory: Does not work like a camera; memory is reconstructive and subject to errors.

• Intelligence: Not the sole predictor of success; other factors like emotional intelligence and personality matter.

• Emotional Intelligence: Refers to the ability to perceive, understand, and manage emotions.

• Introversion vs. Shyness: Introversion is a personality trait; shyness is a social anxiety.

• Polygraph: Not a proven lie detector; measures physiological responses, which can be misleading.

• Mental Illness Causes: Most mental illnesses have multiple contributing factors.

• Happiness: Fun activities contribute to happiness, but well-being is multifaceted.

The Big Five Personality Traits

Overview of the Big Five Model

The Big Five model is a widely accepted framework for understanding personality. It consists of five broad dimensions:

Trait	Description
Openness	Imagination, creativity, openness to new experiences
Conscientiousness	Organization, dependability, discipline
Extraversion	Sociability, assertiveness, enthusiasm
Agreeableness	Compassion, cooperativeness, trust
Neuroticism	Emotional instability, anxiety, moodiness

Mnemonic: OCEAN (Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism)

Types of Intelligence

Multiple Intelligences Theory (Howard Gardner)

Gardner's theory proposes that intelligence is not a single general ability, but consists of multiple distinct types. These include:

• Linguistic – sensitivity to spoken and written language

• Logical-mathematical – ability to analyze problems logically

• Spatial – capacity to think in images and pictures

• Musical – skill in performance, composition, and appreciation of musical patterns

• Bodily-kinesthetic – using one's body to solve problems

• Interpersonal – understanding and interacting with others

• Intrapersonal – understanding oneself

• Naturalist – recognizing and categorizing natural objects

• Existential – sensitivity to deep questions about human existence

Note: This theory is not the primary focus of assessment in this course.

Additional Info

• Course covers foundational chapters in psychology, including scientific thinking, research methods, biological psychology, sensation and perception, consciousness, learning, memory, thinking, language, intelligence, human development, emotion, motivation, stress, coping, health, social psychology, personality, psychological disorders, and treatments.

• Students are encouraged to use critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning throughout the course.