HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE – SOUTHWEST (WEST LOOP)
SPRING 2011
_____________________________________________________________________
Gracie A. Roberts, M.A.
Psychology 2301- Introduction to Psychology
CRN: 69212 8-WK MW 11 – 2
Link to Syllabus and objectives: http://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/carol.laman/hccs-psychologydepartment-model-syllabi
E-mail address: gracie.roberts@hccs.edu
Cell: (713) 517-6958
TEXTBOOKS
The textbook is required for this course.
(1) Hockenbury, D.H., & Hockenbury, S.E. (2009). Psychology (5th ed.). New York: Worth Publishers.
GRADES
There are 4 regular tests scheduled. The best 3 out of 4 test grades will be calculated into your final grade.
Lowest test grade will be dropped (Test 1, 2, 3, or 4). Because the lowest test grade is dropped, there will
be no make-up exams. Try your best to not miss any tests and to do your best!
Best 3 out of 4 Tests @ 20% each
Research Paper
Final Exam
TOTAL
60%
20%
20%
100%
Final grade will be converted into letter grades as follows:
90-100%
=A
80-89%
=B
70-79%
=C
60-69%
=D
0-59%
=F
TESTING
The tests will consist of 50 questions, including multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, short answer,
diagramming, and matching. The questions will come from the book and lectures. The final exam will
consist of 100 questions of the same format and will be comprehensive. You will need a Scantron Form
882-E for each test, including the final exam.
MAKE SURE YOU ARE ON TIME FOR ALL TESTS. IF YOU ARE LATE, YOU ARE GIVING YOURSELF
LESS TIME TO TAKE THE TEST!!
RESEARCH PAPER OR PROJECT/POSTER
One of the requirements of this course is for you to write a research paper on a psychological topic/issue.
To ensure the highest possible grade, follow these strict requirements for the paper:
 3 pages of text
 Typed, 12-pt. font, double-spaced
 Title page with title, name, date, class day and time, centered in 12-pt font.
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Reference page in APA format (APA is different from MLA so be sure to know the difference!)
Citations within text in APA format; any information used from sources must be cited within the text.
You only have to cite the author(s) names of the printed journal article, not the ones within the article.
Sources: 3 peer-reviewed/scientific journal articles dated 1995 or more current and the
Hockenbury book. Sources must be turned in. Any of the information that is used from the
sources must be highlighted within the sources, no matter how minute the information!
Do not use Google, Yahoo, or any other internet search engine similar to these.
You are allowed to use more than 3 sources (5 maximum), and your Hockenbury book.
Sources cannot be from a newspaper or “popular” magazine (i.e., Newsweek, Wall Street Journal,
Forbes, Psychology Today, etc.). Also, no book reviews or editorials are allowed.
Do not write in 1st person (using “I” or “me”); write in 3rd person
No personal experiences allowed; only examples from sources may be used; you are limited to 1 small
example no longer than ½ page in length
Conclusion: must be your opinion of your research findings and you are allowed to use 1 st person here.
Must be a well-developed paragraph stating more than just if you agree or disagree with your research
findings; must be at least ½ a page
Use correct grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, spelling, etc.
The majority of the paper should be paraphrased, meaning you tell in your own words what the author
has said, without your opinion, and include a citation at the end of the paraphrase. Even though you
are putting it in your own words, remember that it is not your original idea so you must cite where the
information came from
Turn in paper in a lighter-colored (no dark blue or black) folder with pockets and prongs
Hole-punch your research paper and place the paper in the prongs; staple the sources individually and
place in the pockets of the folder
Write your name, date, and class day and time on the front of the folder where it is easily visible
You will receive a failing grade if:
 Plagiarize (see section on Plagiarism)
 Do not turn in correct/approved articles
 Information within the sources is not highlighted
 If paper is written with incorrect sources
More requirements for paper will be given during the semester so stay posted!!!!
NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED!!!
ATTENDANCE AND DROP POLICY
It is very important that you attend and participate in class. If you have to miss a class, it is your
responsibility to get the material/notes that you missed. Please do not contact me for the notes. I do not
give out my notes to students. It is your responsibility to take good notes or obtain them from another
student in the class if you are absent. It is also important that you arrive to class on time to avoid being
marked absent or missing important information or announcements usually given at the beginning of class.
I do not drop students so it is your responsibility to drop the class if you are unable to continue in the class.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Week 1 -
January 19
Introduction
Chapter 1 – Introduction and Research Methods
Week 2 -
January 24 - 26
Chapter 2 – Neuroscience and Behavior
RESEARCH PAPER TOPICS DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS ON THE 24TH
TEST 1: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26 (COVERS CHAPTERS 1 & 2)
Chapter 4 – Consciousness and Its Variations
Week 3 -
January 31 – February 02
Chapter 5 - Learning
Chapter 6 – Memory
Week 4 -
February 07 - 09
TEST 2: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 07 (COVERS CHAPTERS 4, 5, & 6)
Chapter 9 – Lifespan Development
Chapter 10 – Gender and Sexuality
ARTICLE APPROVALS MUST BE EMAILED BY MIDNIGHT FEBRUARY 09
Week 5 -
February 14 - 16
Chapter 11 – Personality
TEST 3: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16 (COVERS CHAPTERS 9, 10, & 11)
Chapter 12 – Social Psychology
Week 6 -
February 21 - 23
Chapter 12 – Social Psychology
Chapter 13 – Stress, Health and Coping
RESEARCH PAPERS DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS – FEBRUARY 23
Week 7 -
February 28 – March 02
Chapter 14 – Psychological Disorders
TEST 4: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 03 (COVERS CHAPTERS 12, 13, & 14)
Week 8 -
March 07 - 09
PREPARATION FOR FINAL EXAM
FINAL EXAM – WEDNESDAY, MARCH 09
11 A.M. – 1 P.M.
***This schedule is tentative and may be changed during the course of the semester. You are responsible
for getting the changes if you miss a class.***
EXTRA NOTES
DISCIPLINE SLOs
1. Discuss the major issues in at least nine subject areas of psychology.
1. 1.1 Major schools of thought in psychology
1.2 Components of the neuron
1.3 Components of the synapse
1.4 Action potential
1.5 Major neurotransmitters
1.6 Medulla
1.7 Cerebellum
1.8 Hypothalamus
1.9 Limbic system
1.10 Components of the cerebrum
1.11 Plasticity
1.12 Endocrine system
1.13 Learning
1.14 Reinforcement
1.15 Punishment
1.16 Observational learning
1.17 Characteristics of short-term memory
1.18 Characteristics of long-term memory
1.19 Phases of prenatal development
1.20 Piaget's stages of cognitive development
1.21 Erikson's stages of psychosocial development
1.22 Alzheimer's disease
1.23 General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
1.24 Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
1.25 Definition of personality
1.26 Conscious, unconscious, preconscious mind
1.27 Id, ego, and superego
1.28 Freud's psychosexual stages
1.29 Phobias
1.30 Panic disorder
1.31 Obsessive-compulsive disorder
1.32 Dissociative identity disorder
1.33 Schizophrenia
1.34 Major subtypes of schizophrenia
1.35 Major depressive disorder
1.36 Bipolar disorder
1.37 Personality disorders
2. Explain the scientific method and how it applies to psychological research.
1. 2.1 Scientific method
2.2 Descriptive methods
2.3 Representative sample
2.4 Experimental method
2.5 Methods of studying the brain
2.6 Methods used by Pavlov, Watson, and Skinner
2.7 Recall
2.8 Recognition
2.9 Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS)
2.10 Objective tests (inventories)
2.11 Projective tests
2.12 Purpose, organization, and content of the DSM-IV
3. Demonstrate knowledge of and identify concepts related to personal development and
the development and behavior of others.
1. 3.1 Differences among the major theoretical perspectives in psychology
3.2 Processes that occur when a neuron is activated
3.3 How neurotransmitters affect behavior
3.4 Functions of the frontal lobes
3.5 Difference between the central and peripheral nervous systems
3.6 Functions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
3.7 How the pituitary gland affects behavior
3.8 How the adrenal glands affect behavior
3.9 How classical conditioning modifies an organism's responses to stimuli
3.10 How operant conditioning modifies an organism's responses to stimuli
3.11 Difference between positive and negative reinforcement
3.12 Factors that influence the effectiveness of punishment
3.13 Information-processing approach to memory
3.14 Reconstructive memory
3.15 The function of schemas
3.16 Causes of forgetting
3.17 Effects of teratogens and other negative factors on prenatal development
3.18 Relationship between contact comfort and attachment
3.19 Differences among the various patterns of attachment
3.20 Difference between the social learning and gender schema theory explanations of gender
role development
3.21 Process of cognitive development as Piaget explained it
3.22 Proposed causes of Alzheimer's disease
3.23 Effects of stress on the immune system
3.24 Effects of daily hassles on stress
3.25 Factors that influence individual's capacity for resisting the effects of stress
3.26 Function of defense mechanisms in Freud's theory
3.27 Views of humanistic theorists regarding the personality
3.28 Bandura's concept of reciprocal determinism
3.29 Criteria for abnormal behavior
3.30 Possible causes of schizophrenia
3.31 Symptoms of major depressive disorder.
3.32 Symptoms of Bipolar disorder
4. Apply psychological concepts to the solution of issues and problems including ethics,
coping with stressful events, health and wellness, parenting, learning, memory, and /or
evaluation of media presentations.
1. 4.1 Ethical standards for psychological research
4.2 Principles of behavior genetics
4.3 Principles of behavior modification
4.4 Techniques for improving memory
4.5 Effects of the authoritarian, authoritative, and permissive parenting styles on children's
development
4.6 Difference between problem-focused and emotion-focused coping
4.7 Views of Abraham Maslow regarding self-actualization
4.8 Difference between psychologists and psychiatrists