Introduction to Psychological Science: Course Overview and Foundations

Course Introduction and Overview

Introduction to the Course

This course provides an introduction to the scientific study of psychology, covering foundational concepts, research methods, and major areas within the field. Students will explore how psychological science investigates behavior, thought, and emotion, and how these are influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors.

• Course Code: PSYCH 110

• Term: Fall 2025

• Instructors: Dr. C. Tozios, Rizk Elmadbak, Nathaniel Goldstein

• Contact: Provided via university email; office hours Fridays 5:30-7pm (by appointment)

Course Materials

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

• Access: Digital version available via university bookstore.

Course Outline

The course is structured into weekly topics, each corresponding to textbook chapters and key areas of psychological science.

Class & Date	Topic	Readings
Class 1 September 04	Introduction & Psychological Science	Chapter 1
Class 2 September 11	Reading and Evaluating Scientific Research	Chapter 2
Class 3 September 18	Biological Psychology I	Chapter 3 (pp. 70-91)
Class 4 September 25	Biological Psychology II	Chapter 3 (pp. 91-108)
October 02	Test 1 (Chapters 1-3)
Class 5 October 09	Sensation and Perception I	Chapter 4 (pp. 112-139)
Class 6 October 16	Sensation and Perception II	Chapter 4 (pp. 139-164)
Class 7 October 23	Consciousness	Chapter 5
October 30	Test 2 (Chapters 4 & 5)
Class 8 November 06	Learning	Chapter 6
Class 9 November 13	Memory	Chapter 7
Class 10 November 20	Thought and Language	Chapter 8
November 27	Final Exam Period, Test 3 (Chapters 6-8), URPP (December 12)

Assessment Overview

Student performance is evaluated through a combination of tests, assignments, and participation in research activities. The following table summarizes the main assessments and their weightings:

Assessment	Date of Evaluation (if known)	Weight (%)
Test 1	October 02	14
Test 2	November 06	14
Test 3	During final exam period (TBA)	14
URPP (Fall 2025, 4 credits)	Complete by: December 12	2
Test 4	February 05	14
Test 5	March 12	14
Test 6	During final exam period (TBA)	14
URPP (Winter 2026, 4 credits)	Complete by: April 14	14
Total		100

Key Topics in Psychological Science

What is Psychological Science?

Psychological science is the scientific study of behavior, thought, and emotion, and how these are influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. It uses empirical methods to understand mental processes and behavior.

• Definition: The study of the mind and behavior using scientific methods.

• Scope: Includes topics such as perception, cognition, emotion, motivation, personality, development, and social behavior.

• Applications: Clinical psychology, counseling, education, health, business, and more.

The Scientific Method in Psychology

The scientific method is a systematic approach used in psychological research to observe, describe, explain, and predict behavior and mental processes.

• Steps:

  1. Formulate a research question or hypothesis

  2. Design and conduct an experiment or study

  3. Collect and analyze data

  4. Draw conclusions and report findings

  5. Peer review and replication

• Key Concepts: Hypothesis, theory, variable, operational definition, replication.

• Example: Testing whether sleep improves memory by comparing test scores of students who slept versus those who did not.

Major Areas of Study

• Biological Psychology: Examines the biological bases of behavior, including brain structure and function, neurotransmitters, and genetics.

• Cognitive Psychology: Studies mental processes such as perception, memory, language, and problem-solving.

• Developmental Psychology: Focuses on psychological growth and change across the lifespan.

• Social Psychology: Investigates how individuals are influenced by others and by social contexts.

• Clinical and Counseling Psychology: Concerned with the assessment and treatment of mental health issues.

Learning Strategies for Success

• Active Learning: Engage with material through practice, self-testing, and application.

• Distributed Practice: Space out study sessions over time for better retention (see Cepeda et al., 2006).

• Testing Effect: Regularly test yourself on material to enhance memory and understanding.

• Note-Taking: Summarize key points, definitions, and significance of concepts.

Class Rules

• 1. Don’t hurt yourself

• 2. Don’t hurt others

Example Table: Course Assessments

The following table summarizes the main assessments and their weightings for the course:

Assessment	Date	Weight (%)
Test 1	October 02	14
Test 2	November 06	14
Test 3	Final Exam Period (TBA)	14
URPP (Fall 2025)	December 12	2
Total		100

Additional info:

• URPP refers to Undergraduate Research Participation Pool, a common requirement in psychology courses for research exposure.

• Distributed practice and the testing effect are evidence-based learning strategies shown to improve long-term retention of material.