Psychology 112 (Fall 2007)
Section F29, TR 2:00-3:15, Barnard 125
General Psychology
Professor: Jim Conway
Office: Marcus
White Hall, Room 215
Hours: Monday 9:00-10:00, Tuesday
11:00-12:00 & 3:50-4:50, Wednesday 9:00-10:00, Thursday 11:00-12:00; and by
appointment
Phone:
E-mail: conwayj@ccsu.edu
Home page: http://www.psychology.ccsu.edu/conway
Required
Articles:
Listed at the end of the
syllabus, available through CentralPipeline and in the CCSU library reserve
room.
Suggested: World Wide Web (
Optional
Text:
Myers, D. G.
(2007). Exploring Psychology (7th
edition).
Course Objectives and Content
Psychology is a field in which we try to
understand the mysteries of human (and non-human) nature, asking questions such
as ‘Why do we dream?’, ‘What is that 6-month-old baby thinking?’, and ‘What
makes people commit violence against others?’.
This requires defining our concepts (e.g., what constitutes ‘thinking’?),
developing theories, and testing those theories.
One purpose of the General Psychology
course is to familiarize you with the fundamental concepts and theories of
psychology, from diverse topic areas such as biopsychology, consciousness,
learning, memory, personality, stress, abnormal behavior, and social
behavior. For example, by the end of the
course you should be familiar with concepts such as ‘reinforcement’ and
theories such as Piaget’s theory of cognitive development.
Another purpose is to help you
understand how psychologists tests theories (i.e., how do we decide what to
believe about behavior and thought processes?).
Psychology is based primarily on the scientific method; understanding
the discipline means understanding how psychologists apply the scientific
approach by taking an abstract question (e.g., “Does playing violent video
games increase aggression?”) and carrying out a scientific test. We will work on understanding the scientific
approach largely by reading original research articles and discussing them in
class.
A third purpose is to improve your
ability to think critically using psychology.
You should be able use psychology to help you think about real-world
problems. In this course we will use the
theme of community involvement vs. individualism (a cherished American trait)
as a guiding framework. We will begin
the semester by noting trends toward decreasing community involvement, and we
will use General Psychology topics as a way to understand whether this is
problematic and what we should do about it.
There is no required textbook for this class. Instead we will have a series of required readings (articles etc.) which are available through CentralPipeline and in the library’s reserve room. All readings are listed at the end of this syllabus.
Evaluation and Grading
Your grade will be based on three
components: (1) 3 exams worth 300 points, (2) a research or community
service project leading to a term paper and a poster presentation; you will
work in groups on the research for the paper) worth 250 points, and (3) several
short writing assignments worth a total of 100 points. As described below you may earn a total of 15
extra credit points.
Research
or Community Service Project. You will work in groups throughout the semester on a project worth 250
points. There are two options: (1)
research project or (2) community application project. You must choose one and let me know in
writing by Thurs. Sept. 13 which
option you choose. If you do not inform
me in writing of your choice by that date, you will automatically be assigned
option 1, the research project. Groups
will be formed on Thurs. Sept. 13 because
group composition depends on choices of projects.
1.
Research
project.
This project will involve testing a hypothesis of your choice (though it
must be related to college life) by searching the psychology research
literature to find journal articles relevant to your hypothesis. To
find journal articles you will use a computerized database called either
PsycINFO or PsycArticles. Here is a
brief timeline for the research project:
|
Activity |
Due Date |
Points |
|
Inform me of
your decision regarding project |
Thurs. Sept. 13 |
-- |
|
Meet in
Library for PsycINFO presentation |
Tues. Sept. 25 |
none |
|
Turn in
preliminary reference list and statement of hypothesis (Done as a group) |
Thurs. Oct. 11 |
25 |
|
Turn in
outline of paper (Done individually) |
Thurs. Oct.
25 |
25 |
|
Turn in
paper (Done individually) |
Tues. Nov. 13 |
150 |
|
Turn in
revision of paper (Done individually); The revision
is OPTIONAL |
Thurs. Dec. 13 |
150 (will be averaged with the original paper grade) |
|
Poster
presentation (Done as a group) |
Thurs. Dec. 13 |
50 |
2.
Community Service project.
This project will involve spending time with a group of youths in an
after-school program at the YMCA in
This
project will involve working with people from outside the CCSU community and I
expect that we will all conduct ourselves in a professional manner. You are expected to be on time for all
scheduled appointments and to conduct yourself appropriately. Here is a brief timeline for the project:
|
Community
Service Project |
Due
Date |
Points |
|
Inform me of
your decision to do community application |
Thurs. Sept. 13 |
-- |
|
Turn in
Learning Contract |
Thurs. Sept. 20 |
10 |
|
Meet in
Library for PsycINFO presentation |
Tues. Sept. 25 |
none |
|
Turn
preliminary information on reference (Done as a group) |
Thurs. Oct. 11 |
15 |
|
Community
work with YMCA (Done as a group) |
See project
handout for dates |
75 |
|
Turn in
outline of paper (Done individually) |
Thurs. Oct.
25 |
25 |
|
Turn in
paper (Done individually) |
Tues. Nov. 13 |
100 |
|
Turn in
revision of paper; (Done individually) The revision is OPTIONAL |
Thurs. Dec. 13 |
100 (will be averaged with the original paper grade) |
|
Poster
presentation (Done as a group) |
Thurs. Dec. 13 |
25 |
Exams. There will be a total of three written exams
(multiple-choice questions), including a noncumulative final exam. The exams will be based on material presented
in class as well as in the assigned readings.
Each exam will be worth 100 points, for a total of 300 points for the
semester. Each exam will consist of 50
multiple-choice questions. If you miss
an exam or assignment and you can document a valid excuse (e.g., sickness), you
may take a make-up exam or turn in an assignment late. If an exam is canceled for any reason (e.g.,
snow) the exam will take place during the
Short
Writing Assignments.
We will have a number of relatively short writing assignments throughout
the semester, many dealing with assigned articles. Assignments will be given out in class and
will also be posted on my web page. The
writing assignments in total will be worth 100 points. Due dates will be specified when assignments
are given, and normally due dates will be one week after the date the
assignment is given. No late assignments
will be accepted unless a valid excuse can be documented. All assignments must be typed – handwritten
assignments will not be accepted.
Computing
grades.
Your grade will be computed by adding your exam points (out of 300) with
your FYE research project points (out of 250) and your writing assignment
points (out of 100), for a total possible score of 650. Your extra credit points (see below) will be
added onto your point total. Your grade
will be determined by the percentage (e.g., 90%, 80%) out of 650. For example, if you get 585 out of the 650
points (90%) you will receive an A-, as long as you also complete the research
requirement (see Research Requirement section).
|
Exam /
Assignment Schedule |
Date
|
Points |
|
|
|
|
Research |
Comm. App |
|
Turn in
Learning Contract: |
Thurs. Sept.
20 |
--- |
10 |
|
Exam 1: |
Thurs. Oct.
4 |
100 |
100 |
|
Turn in
information on reference(s) (Done as a group) |
Thurs. Oct. 11 |
25 |
15 |
|
Turn in outline
of paper (Done individually) |
Thurs. Oct.
25 |
25 |
25 |
|
Exam 2: |
Tues. Nov. 6 |
100 |
100 |
|
Turn in
paper (Done individually) |
Tues. Nov. 13 |
150 |
100 |
|
Poster
presentation (Done as a group) |
Thurs. Dec. 13 |
50 |
25 |
|
Turn in revision of individual paper (Optional) |
Thurs. Dec. 13 |
150* |
100* |
|
Short
writing assignments: |
TBA |
100 |
100 |
|
Community
service work: |
Throughout
semester |
-- |
75 |
|
Exam 3
during finals week: |
Thurs. Dec. 20, 2:00 p.m. |
100 |
100 |
|
Total
Points: |
|
650 |
650 |
*if you do the optional revision of the
paper, your grade will be averaged with the grade from the original paper.
There is an out-of-class research requirement for this course that may be fulfilled in one (or both) of two ways:
1.
Participation in faculty/student research projects.
2.
Writing library research papers on a topic of psychology.
This requirement is intended to broaden
your knowledge of the methods of psychology and to give you “hands on”
experience related to psychological research.
Participation in research projects requires that you use a web-based
scheduling and tracking system (you won’t get your credits if you don’t use
this system) through www.experimetrix.com/ccsu/. See the separate handout (or http://www.psychology.ccsu.edu/researchrequirement.html)for
full details.
** 4 points (“units”) of research activity are
required. If you have less than 4 points
at the end of the semester I will deduct one percentage point from your grade
for each point below 4 research units.
For example, 585 out of 650 points (90%) would normally give you a grade
of A- but if you only accumulate only 3 if the required 4 research points your
grade will drop to 89%, or a B+. Note:
if you make an appointment but do not show up at the scheduled time and place,
you will be penalized one unit.
Please note that
all research papers must be completed by Tuesday, Nov. 20 at
Extra credit may be earned through research activity beyond the required 4 points. You can get a total of 15 extra points. These will be added onto your total number of points for the semester.
As stated above, the objectives of this
course include your learning and thinking about behavior. With that in mind, it is essential that any
work you hand in (including exams, papers, and other assignments) be your own
work. Papers and assignments should be
written in your own words, and demonstrate your own thinking. You may use other scholar’s words or thoughts
if you give them the appropriate credit by citation. If I suspect that what I read is not your own
work, I will talk with you about it, and may file a misconduct report. For further information about the rules
regarding cheating and plagiarism, go to the Academic Misconduct section of the
student handbook or the CCSU website (go to “Directory” and click on “Academic
Misconduct Policy”). If you have any
questions about how you can use the work of other scholars with integrity, you
may want to attend a workshop in Academic Integrity, offered by The Learning
Center.
If you need course adaptations or
accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical
information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the
building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as
possible.
Tentative Reading and Lecture Outline
Week:
Sept. 4-7 Introduction to course
Community
participation: Trends and consequences
Thinking
Critically about Psychology
Required
Article: Putnam (2000)
Sept. 10-14 Thinking
Critically about Psychology (Continued)
Social behavior
Required Article: Bartholow and Anderson
(2002)
Sept. 17-21 Social behavior (continued)
Required Article: Haney, Banks, &
Zimbardo (1973)
Sept. 24-28 Biology and Behavior
Required
Article: Nash (2007)
Oct. 1-5 States of Consciousness
Exam
1: Thursday Oct. 4
Oct. 8-12 Developmental Psychology
Required Articles: Excerpts from Evans
(2004) and Schweinart (2004)
Kozol (1988)
Oct. 15-19 Learning and Conditioning
Oct. 22-26 Learning and Conditioning
(Continued)
Human Memory
Required Article: Brandt
(1995)
Paper Outline Due: Thursday, Oct. 25
Oct. 29-Nov. 2 Human Memory (Continued)
Cognitive Psychology/Intuitive Thinking
Required
Articles: Loftus (2003), Myers (2002),
and Myers (2006)
Nov. 5-9 Positive Psychology
Required
Articles: Kohn (1999), Sax & Astin (1997)
Exam 2: Tuesday Nov. 6
Nov. 12-16 Personality
Paper Due: Tuesday, Nov. 13
Nov. 19-20 Stress and Health
Tuesday Nov. 20 at
Nov. 26-30 Psychological Disorders/Abnormal
Psychology
Required Article: Rosenhan (1973)
Dec. 3-7 Psycholotherapy
Required
Article: Carey (2006)
Monday Dec. 3 at
Dec. 10-13 Review
– Psychology and Community Involvement
Presentations
and Review
Poster
Presentations: Thursday Dec. 13
Revison
of Paper Due (Optional): Thursday Dec. 13
**
Last Day of Classes: Thursday December 13 **
Exam
3 during finals week: Thursday, Dec. 20, 2:00 p.m.
List of Required Articles
Below is a list of the original sources
for which you will be responsible. All
sources are available in hardcopy in the CCSU library reserve room, on line
through CentralPipeline, and in some cases on line from other sources.
Community
Involvement:
Putnam, R.
(2000). Bowling alone: Living alone and liking it. Presentation to the Commonwealth Club of
California.
Thinking
Critically About Psychology:
Bartholow, B.
D., & Anderson, C. A. (2002).
Effects of violent video games on aggressive behavior: Potential sex
differences. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 38, 283-290.
Social behavior:
Haney, Banks,
& Zimbardo (1973) A study of prisoners and guards in a simulated prison. Naval Research Review, 30, 4-17.
Biopsychology:
Nash, J. M.
(2007, January). The gift of
mimicry. Time, 169 (5), 108-113.
Developmental
Psychology
Evans, G. W.
(2004). The environment of childhood
poverty. American Psychologist, 59, 77-92.
[Excerpts]
Kozol, J.
(1988). Rachel and her children: Homeless families in America.
Schweinart, L. J. (2004). The
High/Scope Perry Preschool study through age 40: Summary, conclusions, and
frequently asked questions.
High/Scope Educational Research Foundation. Retrieved
States of
Consciousness:
Nash, M. R.,
Benham, G., & Hamada, K. (2005). The truth and the hype of hypnosis.
Scientific
American Mind, 16(2), 46-53.
Learning through
Conditioning:
Brandt, R
(1995). Punished by rewards? A conversation
with Alfie Kohn. Educational Leadership, 53, 13-16.
Memory:
Loftus, E. F.
(2003). Make-believe memories. American
Psychologist, 58 , 867-873.
Intuitive Thinking:
Myers, D. G.
(2002). The power of coincidence. Originally published in E-Skeptic. Available at
www.davidmyers.org/Brix?pagID=91.
Myers, D. G.
(2006). Intuition or intellect?
Positive
Psychology:
Kohn, A.
(1999). In pursuit of affluence, at a
high price.
Sax, L. J.,
& Astin, A. W. (1997). The benefits
of service: Evidence from undergraduates.
Educational Record, 78 (3-4),
25-32.
Psychological
Disorders/Psychotherapy:
Rosenhan, D. L.
(1973). On being sane in insane
places. Science, 179, 250-258.
Carey, B.
(2006). Parenting as therapy for child's
mental disorders: Troubled children/Doses of reality. New
York Times, Dec 22.