CABRILLO COLLEGE PSYCH 1: GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY
Spring 2014 Monday 6:00-9:05pm Watsonville Forum
Instructor: Charlotte Nolan Reyes, PhD
Office & Hours: Monday 5-6pm Watsonville Forum Back Room
E-mail: chreyes@cabrillo.edu
If ever I do not respond to your email within 48 hours simply send your
email again. In the subject Line put “Psych 1, your topic etc”
Mailbox: Upstairs A200 Faculty Office, Ask for Olga (hours M-F 8:00am-5:00pm)
REQUIRED TEXT: Caccioppo & Freberg (2013). Discovering Psychology (1st ed.) The
textbook is available at the bookstore for purchase or rental. Copies of the text are on
reserve at the Cabrillo College Library. The publisher has sales, rentals, and single echapters for sale.
(http://www.cengage.com/search/productOverview.do?N=16&Ntk=P_EPI&Ntt=14838
037881075934789580677357114591404)
Instructor Website: http://www.cabrillo.edu/~creyes/classes/classes.html
Contains Basic course information (e.g., syllabus, lecture notes/outlines).
Blackboard: Site with current Grades
Welcome to Introductory General Psychology! The main purpose of this course
is to introduce general concepts and theories from Psychology. We will explore many
different approaches to the study of behavior and mental processes and examine past
and current research in the field. Another important goal is to critically evaluate the
many “psychological claims” we hear in the media. Finally, Psychology is a discipline
that covers many controversial and sensitive topics that may challenge some of your
deeply held beliefs. In a college setting, it is essential that we approach the topics with
appropriate scientific rigor and always treat each other with respect.
Student learning outcomes: 1) Compare and contrast the effects of biological,
environmental, and other variables on behavior. 2) Analyze and evaluate theories of
mental processes.
COUNSELING: Got a problem? Need to talk? Get in touch with me! When you have a
question or concern, please don't hesitate to come to my office or set up an
appointment. In addition, Personal, Academic, and Financial Counseling are
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available through Health Services at the Aptos Campus in Room 912 (next to
cafeteria), Ph#479-6435 or at the Watsonville Student Resource Center (SRC) on
the first floor in room 4320, Ph#786-4738.These people are great!
ACCOMODATIONS: Students with disabilities are encouraged to explain their needs
and present accommodation forms to me. Veterans may qualify for accommodations.
Wounded Warriors may have injuries and the American with Disabilities Act (ADA)
entitles the use of accommodations to ensure equal opportunity (for students with
verified disabilities). For more information call the Learning Skills Office (Room 1073,
Ph#479-6220) or Disabled Student Services (Room 810, Ph#479-6379) or go to the
Watsonville Student Resource Center (SRC) on the first floor of Cabrillo’s Watsonville
Campus in room 4320.
ADD/DROP DATES:
February - Last day to add or drop with refund
February - Last day to drop yourself without a “W” appearing on your record
April - Last day to drop with a “W” grade on your permanent transcript.
CLASS ATTENDANCE AND BEHAVIOR: It is important to attend every class
meeting. You can miss one class no questions asked. On your second absence you
can be dropped from the class at the instructor's discretion. However, DO
NOT ASSUME you will be dropped and remember to drop yourself via
HawkTalk or WebAdvisor if you wish to withdraw from the course. It is the
student’s responsibility to come to class on time, having completed the assigned
readings, and prepared to participate in activities and discussions. If a student misses
class, it is her/his responsibility to get the missed notes/activities from a classmate and
come to the instructor’s office hours if there are any questions.
A good atmosphere is important for learning. Please turn off the sound on cell phones
during class. Students walking in late to class or leaving early disrupt the whole class.
Chatting, sending text messages, playing games, listening to music, and eating noisily
during lecture are also distracting. If anyone is speaking (either the instructor or
another student) you should be listening. Please show respect for everyone in OUR
CLASS and they will be more likely show respect for you.
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Cheating and plagiarism are unpleasant topics to discuss, but unfortunately, they do
occur. The Student Rights and Responsibilities at Cabrillo College manual
clearly states that cheating or plagiarism is “prohibited conduct”.
During exams, all notes, books, etc. are to be put away. There will be no talking and no
wandering eyes. It is the student’s responsibility to make it abundantly clear that s/he is
not cheating. Any person caught cheating will receive a 0 on the exam and a possible F
in the course with the offense reported to the dean.
While students are encouraged to work together and discuss assignments, your papers
must be your own work. Papers that are too similar to each other and papers that too
closely resemble the wording in the textbook or other sources will receive a 0.
STUDY GROUPS: Students should form study groups of 3-5 members and meet at
least once a week for 1-2 hours to review and discuss class material. All the research,
and my observations, confirm that students who do this, do MUCH better in the course.
On average, you should spend about 6 HOURS (2 hours per unit) per week
outside of class reading and studying for PSYCH 1. This is called the
“Carnegie Formula”.
READING: You should do the readings before the class for which they are assigned.
Not all of the assigned material in the textbook will be covered in class lectures, videos ,
activities and discussions, but you are nonetheless responsible for reading it!
EXAMS: There will be 2 regular multiple-choice/short answer exams throughout the
course and 2 multiple-choice/short answer quizzes. The final will be 100 multiple choice
questions and will cover material from the 4 previous exams/quizzes as well as any final
chapters you were not yet tested on. Bring a blue Apperson form (not a green Scantron),
available at the bookstore, and two #2 pencils to each exam. You need 3 total Appersons
total for the entire course but please keep them flat, straight, and in good condition or
they will not go easily into the grading machine. I may deduct 2 points as my discretion
if I must hand grade your exam due to an Apperson in poor condition or of your bubbles
are filled incompletely or sloppily and stray marks are not fully erased.
NO early or make-up exams will be given. Do not miss the final exam, as that final exam
score cannot be dropped.
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RESEARCH: It is requested that you participate in 1/2 hour of psychological
research online at http://psych.hanover.edu/research/exponnet.html. This experience
is intended to give you a better understanding of the scientific basis of the material
covered in this course. If you do not wish to do this, contact me by March 30 and
another assignment will be arranged. Due April 21, bring evidence of your
participation (thank you page or provide a link) and a 1 page write-up
(double space 12 pt font) explaining what study you did, what was involved,
what you learned, etc…
PAPERS: 2 short 1 page “letters” papers, worth 15 points each are required. There are 2
extra credit post-exam film opportunities (+ 5 pts possible) that must be watched at our
scheduled viewing time only.
EXTRA CREDIT: Some opportunities to add a few "bonus points" to your overall
score MAY be offered periodically during class. It is your responsibility to hear these,
write them down, and take the initiative on writing 1-2 pages (double spaced, 12 pt font,
1 inch margins) about them. These will not be repeated again and are due anytime
before the start of the Final Exam.
COURSE GRADING: Your final course grade will be based on your earned percentage
of 320 points on 3 exams (50 points each possible), 2 Quizzes (15 points each possible);
3 Assignments such as “letters” and/or worksheets(25 points possible), research
participation (15 points), A “Psych in the News” Paper (50 points possible), plus any
bonus points (i.e., extra credit) you may have earned. Letter grades will be assigned on
the following basis: 90% (270 points) = A; 80% (240 points) = B; 70% (210 points) = C;
60% (180 points) = D; below 60% = F. From time to time, your attendance as
participation in class is noted and taken into account for “VERY borderline” grading
situations.
Note: Instructors are forbidden from changing grades unless there has been a
documented error. Please do not ask me to do what cannot be done.
REQUIRED PAPER: Psychology in the News (50 points)
Due May 19 via email or earlier
I sincerely hope that after you complete this course you'll continue to think about
psychology and apply the ideas you learn to understanding what’s going on in the world;
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using your best critical thinking. The purpose of this exercise is to find a NEWSPAPER
article (not an article from a magazine, internet publication, or Psychology Today) that
illustrates some psychological concepts. Your assignment is to prepare one recent
newspaper clipping (newspaper feature article or editorial) from a mainstream
newspaper (e.g., San Jose Mercury, Santa Cruz Sentinel, San Francisco Chronicle, New
York Times; Los Angeles Times (it can be printed off the Web) since
September 2013.
On 2-3 typewritten pages (double-spaced, 1-inch margins, 12-font):
1. Identify the source and date of the article.
2. Summarize (briefly) the newspaper article.
3. Write a description or explanation of how the clipping relates to a theory, concept, or
research finding presented in class or in the textbook. Be sure to include a summary of
the material from the lecture or the book and make sure the relevance is clear.
4. Discuss specific ways the newspaper article could have been improved or was
misleading. For example, did you find information in the textbook that contradicted the
newspaper article or would have helped explain the topic more clearly? If you think the
newspaper article did a good job of reporting on its topic, explain fully why you think so
and support your argument with examples.
5. Include the newspaper article (e.g., taped to a piece of paper if it is cut out from the
newspaper). Make sure your assignment is fastened together with a staple,
not a paper clip and especially not a “dog ear”.
FILM RESPONSES: Due the week after each Film
The purpose of these short film responses is to take what you are learning in psychology
class and compare it to the film/documentary. Utilizing at least one psychological
theory/concept or one research finding from the material you have just been tested on
compare and contrast and describe what you learned.
On 1(one) handwritten page:
1. Name and describe at least one psychological theory or concept and compare to
a concept or theory from the last material tested. How is it described similarly? How is it
described differently? What did you learn? Be Specific!
2. Name and describe at least one research finding and compare to a research finding
from the last material tested. How does it add to the lecture/text finding? How does it
contradict or fail to support a finding from text/lecture? What did you learn? Be
Specific!
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11-April 7
Memory,
Chapter 9 and
12-April 14
Emotion, Motivation &
Cognition
*Quiz 2 Review Worksheet
passed out and due April 21
Ch 7 287-291
Chapter 10 pp. 489-500
13-April 21
Personality & Development,
Chapter 11 & 12
Adulthood
Parenting, Work & Generativity
Chapter 11
Research Participation Due
Clinical Psychology &
Psychopathology (Disorders)
Chapter 14
Psychotherapy
Chapter 15
Test 2
Sensation/Perception
Memory, Emotion,
14-April 28
15-May 5
Motivation & Cognition
(Concentrate on Slides &
Notes)
Test 2 Film
16-May 12
LAST TIME WE MEET
All Extra Credit Due (Min 3
and max 10 points) Social
Psychology-Groups &
Chapter 13
Dysfunction
May 19
Social Psychology-Groups,
Cooperation & & Well-Being
Chapter 13 & 16
NO CLASS EMAIL your
Short Answer FINAL EXAM
(50 pts) and your “Psych In
the NEWS paper” to me (50
TAKE-HOME FINAL
Covers Chapters 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 &
16
7
pts) by 10pm.