Introduction & Psychological Science: Course Overview and Foundations

Introduction to Psychology and Psychological Science

Course Overview

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the scientific study of psychology, covering foundational concepts, research methods, and major areas within the field. Students will explore the biological, cognitive, and social bases of behavior, as well as the application of psychological science to real-world issues.

• Course Code: PSYCH 1000

• Instructor: Dr. Christina Tozios ([e-mail])

• Class Time: Fridays 5:30-7pm, BSB 214 (by appointment)

• Teaching Assistants: Aashnaa Aujla, Madison Reiter, Heather Lumsden-Ruegg

Required Materials

• Textbook: An Introduction to Psychological Science (4th Canadian Edition) by Krause, Corts, & Smith (2024)

• Access: Day1Digital (link provided by the university bookstore)

• Start Date: September 17

Course Outline

The course is structured into weekly topics, each corresponding to textbook chapters and key areas of psychological science. Assessments are distributed throughout the term to evaluate understanding and application of course material.

Weekly Topics

Class & Date	Topic	Readings
Class 1 September 05	Introduction & Psychological Science	Chapter 1
Class 2 September 12	Reading and Evaluating Scientific Research	Chapter 2
Class 3 September 19	Biological Psychology I	Chapter 3 (part 1)
Class 4 September 26	Biological Psychology II	Chapter 3 (part 2)
October 03	Test 1 (Chapters 1-3)
Class 5 October 10	Sensation and Perception I	Chapter 4 (part 1)
October 13-17	Reading Week
Class 6 October 24	Sensation and Perception II	Chapter 4 (part 2)
Class 7 October 31	Consciousness	Chapter 5
November 07	Test 2 (Chapters 4 & 5)
Class 8 November 14	Learning	Chapter 6
Class 9 November 21	Memory	Chapter 7
Class 10 November 28	Thought and Language	Chapter 8
December 4-19	Final Exam Period, Test 3 (Chapters 6-8, URPP December 12)

Assessment Structure

Assessment	Date of Evaluation (if known)	Weight
Test 1	October 03	16%
Test 2	November 07	16%
Test 3	During final exam period (TBA)	16%
URPP (Fall 2025, 4 credits)	Complete by: December 12	2%
Test 4	February 06	16%
Test 5	March 13	16%
Test 6	During final exam period (TBA)	16%
URPP (Winter 2026, 4 credits)	Complete by: April 14	2%
Total		100%

Key Course Policies and Strategies

• Class Rules: Prioritize safety and respect for self and others.

• Learning Strategies: Focus on understanding key terms, theories, and concepts. Summarize information, identify significance, and connect material to broader contexts.

• Test Preparation: Use distributed practice, self-testing, and visualization techniques to enhance memory and understanding.

Major Topics in Psychological Science

What is Psychology?

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior, mental processes, and experience. It seeks to understand how biological, psychological, and social factors influence individuals and groups.

• Key Questions: Why do we behave the way we do? How do our brains and environments shape our actions?

• Scientific Approach: Psychology relies on empirical evidence and the scientific method to test hypotheses and develop theories.

The Scientific Method in Psychology

The scientific method is a systematic way of learning about the world through observation, theory development, and hypothesis testing.

• Steps:

  1. Make observations

  2. Develop theories to explain observations

  3. Formulate testable hypotheses

  4. Collect and analyze data

  5. Draw conclusions and revise theories as needed

• Testability: Hypotheses must be observable and measurable.

• Peer Review: Scientific findings are subject to review and replication by other researchers.

Biopsychosocial Model

The biopsychosocial model explains behavior as the result of interactions among biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors.

• Biological: Genetics, brain structure, neurochemistry

• Psychological: Emotions, thoughts, personality

• Social: Family, culture, societal influences

Brief History of Psychology

• Ancient Roots: Early theories linked behavior to bodily fluids (humors) and brain function.

• Psychophysics: Explored the relationship between physical stimuli and mental experiences (e.g., Fechner's Law).

• Localization of Function: Identified specific brain areas linked to particular functions (e.g., Broca's area).

• Major Schools: Structuralism, functionalism, behaviorism, psychoanalysis, humanistic psychology, cognitive psychology.

Contemporary Psychology

• Methods: Introspection, reaction time, classical conditioning, experimental design.

• Modern Approaches: Cognitive neuroscience, social psychology, developmental psychology, clinical psychology.

• Key Principle: "Cells that fire together wire together"—emphasizing the role of neural connections in learning and memory.

Example: Fechner's Law in Psychophysics

Fechner's Law describes the relationship between the magnitude of a physical stimulus and the intensity of the sensation it produces:

$S = k \log I$

• S: Sensation intensity

• I: Physical stimulus intensity

• k: Constant

Additional Info

• Some content inferred from standard introductory psychology syllabi and textbooks to ensure completeness.

• Assessment and topic tables reconstructed for clarity and study purposes.