PSYC 1010: Introduction to Psychology – Syllabus and Study Guide

PSYC 1010: Introduction to Psychology

Course Overview

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the scientific study of psychology. It covers foundational concepts, methods, and major areas within the discipline, including biological bases of behavior, learning, perception, motivation, cognition, child development, personality, and abnormal and social psychology.

• Course Code: PSYC 1010 6.0

• Section: F

• Title: Introduction to Psychology

• Schedule: Fridays 2:30-5:20pm in CHL1

• Credits: 6

• Academic Year: 2025-2026 (Fall/Winter)

Instructor and TA Information

• Instructor: Prof. Caitlin Tozios

• Office Hours: By appointment, Fridays 5:30-7pm in BSB 214

• Email: [e-mail]

For TA contact information and student group assignments, refer to the table below:

Your Surname	TA	Email
A to Dada	Haleh Hashimi	[e-mail]
Daudjei Mohandogha to Jnatas	Eshnaa Ajula	[e-mail]
Kagaouth to Nikolopoulos	Madison Reiter	[e-mail]
Nnabugwu to Rogers	Hubert Umsde-Hugge	[e-mail]
Roy to Ta	Emma Resendes	[e-mail]
Tabbara to Z	Serena Darking	[e-mail]

Course Website

• Platform: eClass

• All course materials, announcements, assignments, and grades will be posted on eClass.

Course Description

This course surveys the major areas of psychology, introducing basic terms, concepts, and methods. Topics include:

• Biological bases of behavior

• Learning

• Perception

• Motivation

• Cognition

• Child development

• Personality

• Abnormal psychology

• Social psychology

Program Learning Outcomes

• Define psychology and explain how it meets the criteria of science.

• Recognize key concepts, methods, theories, and assumptions in psychology.

• Describe basic characteristics of the scientific method in psychology.

• Discern differences between personal views and scientific evidence.

Required Text

• Krause, M., Corts, D., & Smith, S. (2024). An Introduction to Psychological Science (4th Canadian ed.). Pearson. [5731]

• Textbook available electronically via Day1Digital or can be accessed through eClass.

Course Requirements and Assessments

Assessment	Date of Evaluation (if known)	Weighting
Test 1	October 03	16%
Test 2	November 07	16%
Test 3	During final exam period (TBA)	16%
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%

Description of Assignments

• Tests: Based on associated textbook and lecture material. Multiple choice and short answer questions. Closed-book and written in person.

• Research Participation (URPP): Involvement in research conducted by faculty and students in the Psychology Department. Complete 4 credits (1 credit = 0.5 hours). Alternatively, write a 5-page paper if not participating in experiments. Deadline: October 18, 2025.

Class Format and Attendance Policy

• Attendance is expected for all lectures.

• Active participation is encouraged and may positively affect your grade.

Grading and Senate Policy

• Grades are assigned as letter grades (A+, A, B+, etc.) and corresponding numeric values (e.g., A+ = 90-100).

• Assignments and tests will be marked accordingly.

Missed Tests, Assignments, and Deferred Standing

• Missed assessments require submission of the Missed Quiz/Test/Midterm Exam/Assignment form with documentation.

• Only two (2) deferred tests are allowed; if more are missed, the weight is added to the next assessment.

• Deferred standing for tests during the final exam period requires a petition.

Add/Drop and Withdrawal Deadlines

Important Date	Fall (TERM F)	Year (TERM Y)	Winter (TERM W)
Last date to add a course without permission	September 16	September 16	January 15
Last date to add a course with permission	September 23	September 30	January 22
Last date to drop a course without receiving a grade	November 8	February 3	March 9
Course add and drop deadline for 'W' on transcript	December 2	April 6	April 6

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

• All students must adhere to York University's policies on academic honesty and plagiarism.

• Turnitin and other software may be used to detect plagiarism.

Electronic Device Policy

• Electronic devices are permitted only for course-related purposes during class.

• Devices must not be used for unauthorized activities during examinations.

Academic Accommodation for Students with Disabilities

• Students requiring accommodations should contact Student Accessibility Services as early as possible.

• Accommodations will be communicated to Course Directors as necessary.

Course Materials and Copyright

• Course materials are for personal use only and may not be uploaded or shared without permission.

Key Definitions and Concepts

• Psychology: The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

• Scientific Method: A systematic approach to research involving observation, hypothesis formation, experimentation, and analysis.

• Research Participation: Involvement in psychological studies as a means of learning about research methods and contributing to scientific knowledge.

• Academic Integrity: Adherence to ethical principles in academic work, including honesty, fairness, and responsibility.

Example: Application of the Scientific Method in Psychology

• Observation: A psychologist notices that students who sleep more tend to perform better on exams.

• Hypothesis: Increasing sleep duration improves academic performance.

• Experiment: Randomly assign students to different sleep schedules and measure exam performance.

• Analysis: Use statistical methods to determine if increased sleep leads to higher scores.

Additional Resources

• York Courses Website: https://my.yorku.ca

• Student Accessibility Services: https://accessibility.students.yorku.ca/

• Academic Integrity Modules: https://www.yorku.ca/academicintegrity/