HDP 102: Introduction to Psychology
Mondays & Wednesdays: 3:20pm-5:00pm
CLR 102
Wheelock College
Instructor: Heather Fidler
Spring 2012
“Education is not just the filling of a pail; it is the lighting of a fire." ~ B. F. Skinner (1904-1990) American
psychologist
Heather Fidler, M.S.
Wheelock College ACW 305
hbundy@wheelock.edu
(617) 879-2200
Office Hours: by appointment
COURSE MATERIALS
Required Text:
Schacter, D., Gilbert, D., and Wegner, D. (2010) Introducing Psychology, New York, Worth Publishers.
ISBN-13: 978-1429218214
Additional articles will be distributed in class and through the class website:
http://heatherbundy.weebly.com/
Useful web-based resources:
Student Resource Center: http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/schacterbrief1e/default.asp#t_579071
You may need to register as a student. This site includes lots of resources including animations, quizzes,
chapter objectives, etc.
Discovering Psychology video series: http://www.learner.org/discoveringpsychology
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
I am committed to fully including individuals with disabilities or special needs in this course. In
compliance with Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Wheelock College is
committed to ensure that “no otherwise qualified individual with a disability … shall, solely by reason of
disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination
under any program or activity”. Please make an appointment by going to mycompass.wheelock.edu with
Paul Hastings, Director of Academic Assistance and Disability Services.
Additional Academic Support Services:
• Peer Tutors provide academic help with specific courses or with general academic skills such studying
or time management. Contact Julia Mears at ext. 2179 or at jmears@wheelock.edu
• Writing Consultants work with students on writing assignments on a drop-in basis most afternoons
and evenings until 10 p.m. on the second floor of the library Contact Jenne Powers at ext. 2122 or at
jpowers@wheelock.edu
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As a citizen of the Wheelock College community, I _______________________________am committed
to acting honestly and with integrity in all aspects of academic life. I pledge to conduct myself ethically
in my academic endeavors. I accept responsibility for what I write and what I say. In the spirit of trust, I
will not misrepresent my academic work. I will not cheat and I will work toward creating a fair academic
environment for all. These regulations may be found in the undergraduate catalog or online at
http://www.wheelock.edu/cat/Catalog-Academic_Policies.pdf. I adhere to a Zero Tolerance Policy.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is organized to promote critical thinking and critical evaluation of psychological ideas and
research – to assist you in becoming informed consumers of psychological knowledge. Periodic
assignments will provide an opportunity to expand your knowledge and understanding of yourself and
the people around you – to provide insight into possible motivations, reasons for various behaviors, and
ideas for implementing behavior change. Topics such as consciousness, perception, learning, growth,
personality, and motivation are covered. This course investigates the principles concerning human
behavior, the nature of individual differences, motivation and emotion.
Be aware that psychology is not a unified discipline. Different branches of the field have different foci
and different approaches. In order to enjoy this course, one must develop a tolerance for ambiguity:
recognizing that there is no one “right” answer to many of the big questions.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this class are:
a. To gain a “birds-eye” view of the broad field of psychology and to acquire knowledge and
understanding of its major theoretical perspectives, methods of inquiry, and selected significant
research findings;
b. To become a critical thinker about psychological theories and research and to gain practice applying
critical thinking principles;
c. To apply relevant concepts of psychological science to everyday life
d. To gain an appreciation for the fundamental problems of psychology and their history.
GENERAL EDUCATION GOALS
This course makes a substantial contribution to the following goals of the General Education Program:
Goal 1: This course is intended to strengthen your skills in reading and oral presentation. You will also
gain skills in using technology effectively to locate and evaluate information in Psychology.
Goal 2: This course is intended to help you develop and understanding of the modes of thinking and
inquiry used in Psychology. These inquiries embrace both the natural sciences and the social sciences.
Goal 3: This course is designed to help you gain knowledge in the social sciences (Psychology).
Goal 4: This course is intended to help you engage in reflection, to analyze and interpret different
approaches to the systematic study of Psychology (the human mind and behavior) and to articulate
those understandings in class discussion, oral reports, written assignments and exams.
Goal 5: This course is intended to expand your knowledge of cultures and cultural factors that influence
human thinking and behaving.
GRADING/ ASSESMENTS:
In this course, you will be expected to interact with the professor and other students during lectures and
discussions; perform and report on any in-class activities; complete assigned readings and assignments;
and complete a midterm and final examination. A total points system will be used in this course.
Your final course grade will be assessed according to the following point scale:
Reading Responses (5)
Writing Assignments (4)
Midterm Exam (1)
Final Exam (1)
Class Participation
24 points each
50 points each
Total Points
558-600 A
557-540 A539-518 B+
120 Available Points
200 Available Points
100 Available Points
100 Available Points
80 Available Points
600 Available Points
517-494 B
493-480 B479-469 C+
468-435 C
434-420 C419-399 D+
398-375 D
374-360 Dbelow 360 F
Your Grade = [(your accumulated points)/ (600)] x 100%
ATTENDANCE, PARTICIPATION, & PROFESSIONALISM
Each member of the class is responsible for preparing for and contributing to class discussion.
Therefore, it is critical that you come to class having read and thought about the readings and
completed any written preparation as indicated before the class meeting.
It is very important that you attend class. Simply put, if you are not present in body and mind you
cannot participate or benefit from class. As stated in the Academic Rules and Regulations, attendance in
classes is expected in all courses at Wheelock College. Attendance will be recorded. Failure to regularly
attend class will be reported to the Office of Academic Affairs. Additionally, beginning with the fourth
absence, one-third of your final grade will be deducted and your academic advisor will be notified of
the deduction. Two unexcused tardies (arriving late or leaving early) will count as an absence.
MISSING & LATE ASSIGNMENTS:
Assignment due dates are related to course content, and thus have limited flexibility. Additionally, one
purpose of the early assignments is to provide you with feedback, to enable you to improve your
performance on the later assignments. If you need an extension, please contact me ahead of time to
explain the situation. Otherwise, late assignments will lose 1/3 of a grade per day.
CELL PHONES
Cell phones are NOT permitted during class time. NO EXCEPTIONS. Texting is distracting to you, your
classmates, and the instructor and does NOT facilitate an effective learning environment. Cell phones
may be used before and after class. Cell phone use will result in immediate reduction in class
performance grade.
HOW TO ANSWER BOOK QUESTIONS
All book questions must be typed using normal writing guidelines. The answers should be well written
and numbered. Please write out the questions, and then answer them underneath. This will help you
focus on the question at hand and ensure that you are answering the question correctly. Use your book
and class notes to help you. When possible, use specific examples from the text book to support your
answers.
WRITING ASSIGNMENTS AND RUBRICS
The four writing assignments should be written using proper APA format. For more information on APA
format visit www.apa.org for reference. Writing assignments will be distributed in class and will include
an assignment description and rubric for assessing your work. All papers should follow normal college
level writing guidelines including 11 or 12 pt font, one inch margins, and double spaced.
MID-TERM AND FINAL EXAM
These exams will consist of multiple choice, terminology definitions, and open-response questions. The
final exam will be cumulative from the beginning of the semester.
Schedule of Events
**Note: All dates and assignments are subject to change as the semester progresses.
9/5
Intro & Course Expectations
What is Psychology?
9/10
Behaviorism and the
expansion of Psychology
The Profession of
Psychology: Past and
Present
Read Due: Chapter 1
Questions Due: p. 31 1&2
9/24
Neuroscience and Behavior
II
Read Due: Chapter 3
p. 73-87
Questions Due: Choose 2
9/12
Research in Psychology:
Promises and Pitfalls
Read Due: Chapter 2
p. 33-40
9/17
Methods of Psychology
The Ethics of Science
Read Due: Chapter 2
p. 41-53
Due: Pioneer Study Paper
9/26
Stress and Health
In-class Small Group Project:
Personal Soundtracks
Read Due: Chapter 14
10/3
Memory II
Feature Film: Memento
10/8
10/17
Consciousness
Begin Dream Diary
Review for exam
10/31
Emotion and Motivation II
Read Due 284-295
10/22
Midterm Exam
10/10
Memento: Review &
Discussion
Learning I
How does experience
change our behavior?
Read Due: Chapter 6,
p. 161-177
10/24
Consciousness
Read Due: Chapter 8
10/1
Memory I
In-Class Memory
Demonstrations
Feature Film: Memento
Read Due: Chapter 5,
p. 127-143
Due: Happiness Paper
10/15
Learning II
Read Due: Chapter 6 p. 174195
11/5
Personality I
In-class Personality
Assessments
Read Due Chapter 11: p.
333-342
Due: Dream Analysis Paper
11/7
Personality II
Read Due: p. 342-361
Questions Due: Choose 2
11/14
Psychological Disorders I
Read Due: Chapter 12
Case Study Packet
11/19
Psychological Disorders II
Treatment
Read Due: Chapter 13
p. 411-425
Due: Case Study Reading
Responses
12/3
Social Psychology I
Read Due: Chapter 15 p.
457-471
11/21
9/19
Neuroscience and Behavior
I: The Origins of Behavior
Video Clip: The Responsive
Brain
Read Due: Chapter 3
p. 55-73
11/28
Feature Film Discussion:
Girl Interrupted
*note film will be covered
on final exam
12/12
Final Exam
Last class
No classes: Autumn Holiday
No classes: Thanksgiving
12/5
Social Psychology II
Read Due: Chapter 15
p. 472-488
Questions Due: Choose 2
10/29
Emotion and Motivation I
Read Due: Chapter 9
p.269-283
11/12
No classes: Veterans Day
11/26
Feature Film: Girl
Interrupted
12/10
Social Influences and
Semester Review
Due: Girl Interrupted
Analysis Paper