Introduction to Psychology & Psychological Science: Course Overview and Foundations

Course Overview: Introduction to Psychology & Psychological Science

Course Information

This course provides a foundational overview of psychology as a scientific discipline, exploring the study of mind and behavior. Students will learn about major psychological concepts, research methods, and the biological, cognitive, and social bases of behavior.

• Instructor: Dr. Ctozios ([e-mail])

• Teaching Assistants: Rizk Elmadbak, Nathaniel Goldstein

• Office Hours: Fridays 5:30-7pm, BSB 214 (by appointment)

Required Materials

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

• Access: Day1Digital platform

• Start Date: September 17

Course Outline (Fall Term)

The following table summarizes the topics, schedule, and readings for the course:

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. 91-109)
October 02	Test 1 (Chapters 1-3)
Class 5 October 09	Sensation and Perception I	Chapter 4 (pp. 120-142)
October 13-17	Reading Week
Class 6 October 23	Sensation and Perception II	Chapter 4 (pp. 142-162)
Class 7 October 30	Consciousness	Chapter 5
November 06	Test 2 (Chapters 4 & 5)
Class 8 November 13	Learning	Chapter 6
Class 9 November 20	Memory	Chapter 7
Class 10 November 27	Thought and Language	Chapter 8
December 4-19	Final Exam Period, Test 3 (Chapters 6-8), URPP (December 12)

Assessment Structure

Student performance is evaluated through a combination of tests and assignments. The following table outlines the assessment components and their respective weights:

Assessment	Date of Evaluation (if known)	Weight (%)
Test 1	October 02	16
Test 2	November 06	16
Test 3	During final exam period (TBA)	16
URPP (Fall 2025, 4 credits)	Complete by: December 12	2
Test 1 (Winter 2026, 4 credits)	February 05	16
Test 2 (Winter 2026, 4 credits)	March 12	16
Test 3 (Winter 2026, 4 credits)	During final exam period (TBA)	16
URPP (Winter 2026, 4 credits)	Complete by: April 14	2
Total		100

Key Topics in Psychological Science

Introduction to Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. It seeks to understand how individuals think, feel, and act, and how these processes are influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors.

• Definition: Psychology is the scientific study of behavior, experience, and mental processes.

• Scope: Includes biological, cognitive, emotional, and social aspects of human functioning.

• Applications: Clinical psychology, counseling, education, health, industry, and research.

The Scientific Method in Psychology

The scientific method is a systematic approach to acquiring knowledge through observation, experimentation, and analysis. It is fundamental to psychological research and theory development.

• Steps:

  1. Observation

  2. Formulation of hypotheses

  3. Designing experiments

  4. Collecting and analyzing data

  5. Drawing conclusions

  6. Peer review and replication

• Key Principle: Theories must be testable and falsifiable; results support or refute hypotheses but do not "prove" them absolutely.

• Example: Testing whether sleep improves memory retention by comparing test scores of sleep-deprived and well-rested participants.

Biopsychosocial Model

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

• Biological Factors: Genetics, neurochemistry, brain structure

• Psychological Factors: Emotions, thoughts, personality

• Sociocultural Factors: Family, culture, social environment

• Example: Depression may be influenced by genetic predisposition (biological), negative thinking patterns (psychological), and stressful life events (sociocultural).

Brief History of Psychology

Psychology has evolved from philosophical and scientific traditions, incorporating diverse approaches to understanding the mind and behavior.

• Ancient Origins: Early theories (e.g., four humors: blood, yellow bile, black bile, phlegm) attempted to explain personality and health.

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

• Localization of Function: Discovery of brain areas responsible for specific functions (e.g., Broca's area for speech).

• Psychoanalysis: Freud's theory emphasizing unconscious processes (historically significant but now less central).

• Contemporary Psychology: Includes cognitive psychology, behavioral neuroscience, social psychology, and more.

Contemporary Approaches in Psychology

Modern psychology integrates multiple perspectives and research methods to study complex behaviors and mental processes.

• Experimental Methods: Introspection, reaction time, decision tasks

• Learning Theories: Classical conditioning, operant conditioning

• Neuroscience: "Cells that fire together wire together"—the basis of learning and memory

• Holistic vs. Reductionist Approaches: Considering the whole person versus focusing on specific parts or processes

Learning Strategies for Success

• Distributed Practice: Spacing study sessions over time improves retention (Cepeda et al., 2006).

• Testing Effect: Self-testing enhances long-term memory.

• Visualization: Re-imagining lecture content aids understanding.

• Sleep: Adequate rest is essential for memory consolidation.

Class Rules

• 1. Don't hurt yourself

• 2. Don't hurt others

Summary Table: Major Psychological Approaches

Approach	Main Focus	Key Figures
Biological	Brain, genetics, neurochemistry	Broca, Fechner
Behavioral	Observable behavior, learning	Pavlov, Skinner
Cognitive	Thought, memory, information processing	Neisser, Miller
Humanistic	Personal growth, self-actualization	Maslow, Rogers
Psychodynamic	Unconscious processes, early experience	Freud
Sociocultural	Social and cultural influences	Vygotsky

Key Formula: Fechner's Law (Psychophysics)

Fechner's Law describes the relationship between stimulus intensity and perceived sensation:

$S = k \log I$

Where S is the sensation, I is the stimulus intensity, and k is a constant.

Additional info: Some content and examples have been inferred and expanded for academic completeness and clarity.