PSY105 General Psychology Lab
Instructor: Dr. Edward Sturman
Office: 640 Bay Road
Phone: 518-792-5425
E-mail: estur001@plattsburgh.edu
Office Hours: MW 1:30 – 3:00
Text: Mansfield, J. S. (Fall, 2012). General Psychology Laboratory Manual
The manual can be downloaded (free) in WORD from the course web page.
Section Class time
B
Wed. 11:00 am
This course examines and applies the methods and techniques of scientific inquiry used
in psychology, including computer-simulated demonstrations, small group discussion,
and written assignments. You will gain hands-on experience with a sample of the
phenomena studied in PSY101 (General Psychology) and other psychology courses.
Course objectives
1. Students will acquire an understanding of the requirements of empirical
investigation including the need for objectivity and the establishment of
appropriate controls.
2. Students will acquire basic skills in data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
3. Students will develop question answering and discussion skills through
participation in recitation sessions.
4. Students will develop writing skills through the completion and review of written
assignments.
Students will acquire a rudimentary understanding of the use of computers in
psychological research and practice.
Evaluation:
Participation/ In-lab discussions: 30%
Homework: 45%
Scale Construction Assignment: 15%
Presentations/ Group Work: 10%
Grading:
A
AB+
B
B-
93% + above
90-92%
87-89%
83-86%
80-82%
C+
C
CD+
D
E
77-79%
73-76%
70-72%
67-69%
60-66%
59% + below
General Layout and Schedule:
Aside from the introductory week we will be conducting lab activities each week of the
semester. These activities are laid out in the lab manual. Please bring the lab manual to
every class. Following the lab activities we will have a class discussion in which we will
go over some of the issues raised by the activities. These discussion questions are also in
the lab manual. Homework assignments pertaining to the lab activities and other material
from the text should be completed before our next lab (i.e. you have one week to
complete homework assignments). The homework questions are at the end of each lab in
the manual. More detail on each assignment is provided below.
Discussion: All students are required to voice their opinions to each lab question. These
contributions will be graded according to the following criteria:
 The student offers a unique point of view
 The student takes into account the opinions of others in the lab
 The student’s claims are thoughtful and logical. They follow from what we have
learned in the lab activities.
Homework: The homework questions from any given week are to be answered before the
following lab. Homework answers should be attached to the homework drop-box on the
course website. If you receive a grade below 80% on the homework you will be given a
chance to redo it.
Presentations and Scale Construction Assignment: Labs 10 and 11 will require students to
work in groups of 2-3 persons to create a personality scale. The groups will present the
scale along with a plan to test its reliability and validity to the rest of the lab. These
presentations will be brief (8-10 minutes). The groups will also complete a 2-3 page
(double-spaced) written overview of how they plan to test the scale. More information on
the presentation and assignment is in the lab manual.
Attendance: Students are expected to attend all labs. Failure to do so, aside from the
reasons listed below, will result in a grade of 0 for the discussion.
Missed Labs or Late Assignments: Students may miss labs or complete homework late
only for legitimate medical or compassionate reasons as well as religious observances. In
all cases, these occurrences should be accompanied by appropriate documentation. If, for
any of the above reasons, students are not able to fulfill their obligations according to
schedule, they should notify the instructor in advance so that the necessary
accommodations can be arranged.
Services to Students with Disabilities: Students who have a disabling condition (i.e.,
physically challenged or learning disabled), or need special accommodations and help in
order to be successful in their academic program, need to register with the Director of
Special Programs, Michele Carpentier (by phone at 518-564-2263, or by email at
michele.carpentier@plattsburgh.edu), so that their need can be evaluated and appropriate
services provided.
Policy on Plagiarism/Academic Dishonesty: Cheating is the willful misrepresentation
of any part or all of another’s work as one’s own. Copying another’s answers, or giving
or receiving unpermitted aid during classroom or take-home examinations, assignments,
papers, research reports and projects is cheating. Plagiarism in all of its forms is
cheating.
Please refer to the campus academic policy at:
http://www.plattsburgh.edu/offices/academic/provost/academichonesty.php. Possible
penalties for students found to be cheating on tests or assignments include failure on the
test, assignment or course.
College Honor Code: It is expected that all students enrolled in this class support the
letter and the spirit of the Academic Honesty Policy as stated in the college catalog.