PSYCHOLOGY 105

FALL, 2009

INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY

           

Instructor:      J.P. Garofalo, Ph.D.

Office:             14204 NE Salmon Creek, CLS 208E

Phone:             360-546-9717

E-Mail:           jgarofalo@vancouver.wsu.edu

Office Hours:  TBA or by appointment

Lecture:          Tues & Thurs at 9:10-10:25 in VUCB 1

Required Textbook:  Introduction to Psychology, Eighth Edition

                        by James W. Kalat, Thomson Wadsworth

 

Course Description

This course is designed to provide an introduction to the field of psychology in its examination of the biological, psychological and social influences on behavior. This pursuit will examine the theoretical and empirical roots of each the course modules. Psychology 105 is organized around six modules that will address the campus theme:

1) Psychology as a Science        2) Awareness               3) Cognitive Processes             

4) Intelligence                           5) Motivation                 6) Well-being 

 

Within each topic, we will consider new terminology and principles of psychology, and their contribution to our understanding of behavior and mental processes. Each lecture will create opportunities to critically think about problems and issues arising from the current literature, as well as to effectively communicate cogent, conceptually-based arguments. We will analyze statistical/mathematical reports in an effort to highlight the importance of empirically-based findings, and one’s need to be able to interpret the findings of researchers.

 

Course Policy & Expectations

1) Attendance: If you miss a class, you are responsible for obtaining notes and learning the missed material. Please contact me if you are having any questions, concerns, or difficulties with understanding the materials or the exams during office hours.  If the office hours are difficult for you to attend, I would be happy to schedule an appointment with you at a more convenient time.  While I will not re-teach missed lectures, I would be happy to address your questions or concerns. 

 

2) Late: If you arrive late for lecture, please sit in the back of the lecture-hall to limit the amount of noise and/or disruption that generally takes place. If you do arrive late, you may have missed an announcement typically made at the beginning of lecture, so check with someone

 

3) Academic Integrity: Plagiarism or cheating of any kind will not be tolerated and will result in a failing grade. Please consult with the WSU Student Handbook for further details.

 

4) Disability Accommodations: Reasonable accommodations are made available for students with a documented disability. The assistant director for student development arranges for disability services at WSUV. Please direct any questions or concerns at (360) 546-9567.

 

 

Readings

Introduction to Psychology, by James W. Kalat, is a textbook that presents psychology as a science, in a contemporary, real world context.

Course Activities

Exams: Three 60-point exams will be administered over the course of the semester. Each exam will cover the respective modules. It is to your advantage that you attend lecture each week for exams will include material covered in lectures, the textbook, and discussions during lecture. There are no make-up exams. (200 total points)

 

Extra Credit: Several WSUV faculty members conduct research studies for which they seek participants. If you participate in a WSUV research study, you will receive 3 points. If you would prefer not to participate in a research study, you may elect to write a two-paged, double-spaced review of a psychology-related article published in 2008/2009. This option is NOT a requirement. If you are scheduled to participate in a research study, and are unable to attend, please provide a 24-hour notice to the experimenter, by e-mail or voicemail, that you are canceling your appointment. Failure to provide notice will make you ineligible for receiving extra credit.

 

Grading Policy

Your final grade will be calculated by adding your all points earned from the 3 exams for a total of 180 points. The total points earned will be divided by 180, and the percent average will determine your letter grade as follows:

A+:       97-100%           A:         93-96%             A-:       90-92%

B+:       87-89%             B:         83-86%             B-:        80-82%

C+:       77-79%             C:         73-76%             C-:        70-72%

D+:       67-69%             D:         63-66%             D-:       60-62%           F:       59% and below

 

Lecture Schedule

MODULE 1:  PSYCHOLOGY AS A SCIENCE

Lecture                                                                                               Reading          

Week 1. History of Psychology                                                 

8/25 (Tuesday): Elements of Psychology                                  Module 1.1

8/27 (Thursday): History of Psychology                                    Module 1.2

                                                -----------------------------------------------------

Week 2. Psychology as a Science:                                             

9/1 (Tuesday): Critical thinking & Methods                               Module 2.1-2.2

9/3 (Thursday): Measuring & Data Analysis                             Module 2.3

                                                -------------------------------------------------------

Week 3. Biopsychology                                                            

9/8 (Tuesday): Biopsychology                                                  Module 3.1-3.2

9/10 (Thursday): Drugs & their Effects (Guest Speaker Slides) Module 3.3

 

MODULE 2: AWARENESS

Lecture                                                                                   Reading                      

Week 4. Consciousness

9/15 (Tuesday): Consciousness                                                Module: 10.1-10.2   REVIEW  SHEET

9/17 (Thursday): Hypnosis                                                       Module: 10.3

                                                -------------------------------------------------------

Week 5. EXAM I and Beginning of Cognitive Processes                                                           

9/22 (Tuesday):  Sensation and Perception

9/24 (Thursday): EXAM I (TO COVER MODULES 1 AND 2) Please bring a scantron form that can be purchased at the bookie

GRADES FROM EXAM I

 

MODULE 3: COGNITIVE PROCESSES

Lecture                                                                                   Reading                      

Week 6: Cognitive & Social Development                                               ,

9/29 (Tuesday): Genetics                                                         Module: 5.1 – 5.2         

10/1 (Thursday): Social Development &                                   Module: 5.3 – 5.4

                        Gender/Cultural Influences

                                                ---------------------------------------------------------

Week 7. Learning & Memory                                                               

10/6 (Tuesday): Learning                                                         Module: 6.1 – 6.2

10/8 (Thursday): Learning & Memory                                      Module: 6.3; 7.1                       

                                                ----------------------------------------------------------

Week 8. Memory & Thinking                                                   

10/13 (Tuesday): Memory                                                       Module: 7.2 – 7.4

10/15 (Thursday): Attention; Problem-solving                           Module 8.1--8.2                                    

MODULE 4: Intelligence

Lecture                                                                                   Reading                      

Week 9. Language, and Intelligence        REVIEW SHEET FOR EXAM II                     

10/20 (Tuesday): Intelligence                                                    Chapter  9

10/20 (Thursday): Language                                                     Module 8.3

                                                --------------------------------------------------------------

Week 10. Intelligence & Exam II                                              

10/27 (Tuesday): Intelligence                                                   Module 9.

10/29 (Thursday): EXAM II WILL COVER MODULES 3 & 4 ONLY          

                           EXAM II RESULTS

                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------

 

MODULE 5: MOTIVATION

Lecture                                                                                   Reading                      

Week 11 Motivation                                                                             

11/3 (Tuesday):  Motivation

11/5 (Thursday): General Principles of Motivation                     Module 11.1 – 11.2       

---------------------------------------------------------------

Week 12 Motivation, Emotion, & Personality                                          

11/10 (Tuesday): Sexual & Work Motivation                             Module 11.3 – 11.4

11/12 (Thursday): Emotion                                                       Module 12.1 – 12.2

                                                ----------------------------------------------------------------

Week 13: Personality & Psychological Disorders

11/17 (Tuesday): Personality                                                    Chapter 14

11/19 (Thursday): Abnormal Psychology                                  Chapter 15

                                    ----------------------------------------------------------------

Week 14. THANKSGIVING

11/24 (Tuesday) – No lecture            

11/26 (Thursday) – No lecture

 

MODULE 6: WELL-BEING

Lecture                                                                                   Reading                       

Week 15. Psychological Disorders                                                         

12/1 (Tuesday): Psychological Disorders                                  16.1 – 16.2

12/3 (Thursday): Psychological Disorders                                 16.3 – 16.4

                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------

Week 16. Social Psychology & Health Psychology                     

12/8 (Tuesday): Social Psychology                                             13.1 – 13.3; 13.5

12/10 (Thursday): Health Psychology                                         12.3

 

FINAL EXAM: December 14th-18th TBA

 

Severe Weather/Emergency Closure
The University does not close except under the most adverse conditions. When classes are cancelled and students will be absent, faculty members are excused from reporting to the campus. Administrators, exempt, and classified personnel are expected to work their normal hours. Inclement weather, or any emergency that forces a declaration by the Chancellor of limited closure or suspended operations, may occur at any time during the day or evening, and may affect all or part of the instructional day. If an emergency occurs during the night, the Chancellor will make one of the following decisions prior to 6:00 am:
-Proceed with classes as usual.
-Postpone opening for one or more hours.
-Cancel classes with offices remaining open to the public, faculty excused & other employees reporting to work
-Cancel classes and close offices to the public, with faculty excused & all other employees reporting to work.
-Suspend operations in all or any portion of the University.

If the decision is to proceed with classes as usual, no notification will be given. If one of the other options is selected, the Chancellor will notify key staff and the media.

If the option selected is to delay opening, the schedule will begin at the hour stated by the media, and the classes scheduled prior to the late opening time will not meet on that day. If the emergency occurs after classes are in session, the Chancellor may elect one of the options outlined previously.

Public announcements over the radio or television are for closure or delay of classes only. Non-teaching employees shall report to work unless advised differently


To obtain a copy of the weather closure policy or view a list of radio stations that will be notified, visit this web site:
http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/adm/fo/psafety/weather.htm

Reasonable accommodations are available for students who have a documented disability. Notify the professor during the first week of class regarding accommodations needed for the course. Late notification may cause the accommodations to be unavailable. Students needing accommodations must first have them approved through the Associate Director of Student Services.

Violations of the WSU Academic Integrity Policy: University policy regarding violations of academic integrity are always reported to the Associate Director of Student Services. If the reported violation is a first offence, the faculty member may address the situation.  Second offences are investigated by the Associate Director of Student Services and adjudicated by a Faculty Hearing officer or an Academic Integrity Conduct Board.

Violations of the WSU Student Conduct Code: Behavior that violates the WSU Student Code of Conduct should be reported to the Associate Director of Student Services. Instructors encountering behavior that poses an imminent threat to either the violator or someone else in the class should contact the Public Safety Department immediately.

I, ________________________(print your name), give permission to Dr.

 

Garofalo and/or his teaching instructor to e-mail me exam scores, or scored

 

(and edited) papers, and any evaluated material for Psychology 105 during

 

the Fall of 2009. My signature below indicates that I am willing to receive

 

this information by way of e-mail knowing that this means of

 

communication is not secure, and thus, the transmitted material is not

 

protected.

 

 

 

_____________________________________

My Signature                                      Date