Introduction to Psychology: Course Syllabus and Study Guide

Course Overview

This course provides an introduction to the science of behavior and mental processes, covering foundational concepts, theories, and research methods in psychology. Students will explore a range of topics, including learning, memory, personality, development, biological bases of behavior, psychological disorders, and more.

Course Details

• Course Code: PSYC 1810 NP L02 Intro to Psychology

• Credit Hours: 3.00

• Term: Fall 2025

• Prerequisites: None

• Textbook: Psychology 14th Edition by David G. Myers, C. Nathan DeWall, June Gruber (ISBN: 9781319489847)

Course Description

This course introduces the science of behavior and mental processes, including the application of critical thinking to the study of learning theory, memory, personality, growth and development, biological and neurological aspects, abnormal behavior, therapies, intelligence, motivation, emotion, sensation, perception, and theoretical perspectives.

Course Objectives

• Explore psychological terminology and concepts across various disciplines.

• Introduce scientific research methods and ethical principles in psychology.

• Illustrate the scientific application of psychology and major psychological principles and theories.

• Critically examine and evaluate psychological concepts, methods, and theories.

• Examine bio-psycho-social processes as related to behavior and mental processes.

• Examine the impact of multicultural factors on the self and others.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Compare theoretical perspectives of psychology.

• Summarize the goals, methods, and ethics of psychological research.

• Explain how physiology affects behavior and mental processes.

• Differentiate physical, cognitive, and social development over the lifespan.

• Examine aspects of sensation and perception.

• Apply examples of learning theories and their components.

• Describe different models of memory.

• Describe how intelligence is defined, measured, and interpreted.

• Identify and explain aspects of personality.

• Distinguish between major psychological disorders and therapies.

• Recognize the nature and states of consciousness.

• Analyze how stress influences health.

• Examine how social situations influence human behavior and mental processes.

Course Content/Topical Outline

1. Learning Theory

2. Memory

3. Personality

4. Growth and Development

5. Biological and Neurological Aspects

6. Abnormal Behavior & Therapies

7. Intelligence

8. Motivation

9. Emotion

10. Sensation and Perception

11. Theoretical Perspectives

12. Research Methods

13. States of Consciousness

14. Health and Stress

15. Social Psychology

Key Topics and Expanded Explanations

Learning Theory

Learning theory explores how individuals acquire new behaviors, knowledge, and skills through experience. Major approaches include classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning.

• Classical Conditioning: Learning through association, as demonstrated by Pavlov's experiments with dogs.

• Operant Conditioning: Learning through consequences (reinforcement and punishment), as described by B.F. Skinner.

• Observational Learning: Learning by observing others, highlighted by Bandura's BoboDolll experiment.

• Example: A child learns to fear dogs after being bitten (classical conditioning).

Memory

Memory refers to the processes involved in encoding, storing, and retrieving information. Psychologists study different models and types of memory.

• Sensory Memory: Brief storage of sensory information.

• Short-Term Memory (STM): Holds a small amount of information for a short duration.

• Long-Term Memory (LTM): Stores information over extended periods.

• Example: Remembering a phone number long enough to dial it (STM).

Personality

Personality is the unique and enduring pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that characterize an individual. Theories include trait, psychodynamic, humanistic, and social-cognitive perspectives.

• Trait Theory: Focuses on identifying and measuring individual personality characteristics.

• Psychodynamic Theory: Emphasizes unconscious motives and conflicts (Freud).

• Humanistic Theory: Stresses personal growth and self-actualization (Rogers, Maslow).

• Example: The Big Five personality traits: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.

Growth and Development

This topic examines physical, cognitive, and social changes across the lifespan, from infancy to old age.

• Developmental Stages: Piaget's stages of cognitive development, Erikson's psychosocial stages.

• Example: Adolescents develop abstract thinking abilities during Piaget's formal operational stage.

Biological and Neurological Aspects

Explores the biological bases of behavior, including brain structure and function, neurotransmitters, and genetics.

• Neurons: Basic units of the nervous system that transmit information.

• Neurotransmitters: Chemical messengers (e.g., dopamine, serotonin).

• Example: Low serotonin levels are associated with depression.

Abnormal Behavior & Therapies

Focuses on psychological disorders and their treatment. Includes classification, symptoms, and therapeutic approaches.

• Major Disorders: Anxiety disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia, etc.

• Therapies: Psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), medication.

• Example: CBT is effective for treating depression and anxiety.

Intelligence

Intelligence is the ability to learn from experience, solve problems, and adapt to new situations. Psychologists study its measurement and interpretation.

• IQ Tests: Standardized tests designed to measure intelligence quotient.

• Multiple Intelligences: Gardner's theory proposes several distinct types of intelligence.

• Example: Logical-mathematical intelligence vs. interpersonal intelligence.

Motivation

Motivation refers to the processes that initiate, direct, and sustain behavior. Theories include drive-reduction, arousal, incentive, and Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

• Maslow's Hierarchy: Needs are arranged from physiological to self-actualization.

• Example: Hunger motivates eating (physiological need).

Emotion

Emotion involves physiological arousal, expressive behaviors, and conscious experience. Theories include James-Lange, Cannon-Bard, and Schachter-Singer.

• James-Lange Theory: Emotions result from physiological responses to stimuli.

• Example: Feeling afraid because your heart races after seeing a snake.

Sensation and Perception

Sensation is the process of detecting stimuli, while perception is the interpretation of those stimuli. This topic covers sensory systems and perceptual processes.

• Five Senses: Vision, hearing, taste, smell, touch.

• Perceptual Organization: Gestalt principles (e.g., figure-ground, proximity).

• Example: Recognizing a friend's face in a crowd (perception).

Theoretical Perspectives

Psychology includes several major perspectives for understanding behavior and mental processes.

• Biological Perspective: Focuses on physiological bases.

• Behavioral Perspective: Emphasizes observable behavior.

• Cognitive Perspective: Examines mental processes.

• Humanistic Perspective: Stresses individual potential.

• Example: Explaining depression through both biological and cognitive perspectives.

Research Methods

Research methods in psychology include experimental, correlational, and observational techniques. Ethical principles guide all research.

• Experimental Method: Manipulates variables to determine cause and effect.

• Correlational Method: Examines relationships between variables.

• Ethics: Informed consent, confidentiality, minimizing harm.

• Example: Randomly assigning participants to treatment and control groups.

States of Consciousness

This topic covers different levels of awareness, including sleep, dreams, hypnosis, and drug-induced states.

• Sleep Stages: REM and non-REM sleep.

• Altered States: Meditation, hypnosis, psychoactive drugs.

• Example: Dreaming during REM sleep.

Health and Stress

Examines how psychological factors influence physical health and the impact of stress on well-being.

• Stress Response: Physiological and psychological reactions to stressors.

• Coping Strategies: Problem-focused and emotion-focused coping.

• Example: Chronic stress can increase risk of illness.

Social Psychology

Social psychology studies how individuals think, feel, and behave in social contexts.

• Topics: Attitudes, conformity, group behavior, prejudice, aggression.

• Example: The Asch conformity experiments.

Grading/Evaluation

Grade	Percentage
A+	96%-100
A	90%-95%
B+	86%-89%
B	80%-85%
C+	76%-79%
C	70%-75%
D+	66%-69%
D	60%-65%
F	<60%

Course Requirements

• End of Chapter Tests (12 total): 450 points

• Discussions (12 total): 225 points

• Syllabus Quiz: 20 points

• Multiple Intelligences Profile Exercise: 15 points

• Individual Research Paper: 50 points

• Childhood Trauma and ACEs Reflection Paper: 30 points

• Final Project: 100 points

• Total Points: 890

Methods of Presentation and Evaluation

• Lectures

• Small and large discussion groups

• Collaborative projects

• Research

• Essays

• Technology-based instruction

• Multimedia and/or field trips

• Class and group participation

• Daily work

• Quizzes

• Presentations

• Projects

• Papers and/or a portfolio

Academic Integrity and Policies

• All submitted papers may be subject to review for plagiarism and use of artificial intelligence via Turnitin.com.

• Students are expected to adhere to the college's academic integrity policy.

• Accommodations are available for students with disabilities.

• Withdrawal and support information is provided by the college.

Additional info:

• This syllabus provides a comprehensive overview of the course structure, requirements, and key psychological concepts to be covered. It is intended as a guide for students preparing for exams and assignments in an introductory psychology course.