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General Psychology
9592-PSYC&100.DN1
9593 PSYC&101.DN2
Please print out and read this syllabus
Dr. Robert J. Atkins, Ph.D.
Phone: (206) 934-7011
Office hours: 9:30 – 10:00 and 11:00 – 11:30 M,W,F and online 8:00 – 9:00 T, Th
Office: Rm. IB2327A
E-mail = Please send email for this class through the instructor’s campus email.
robert.atkins@seattlecolleges.edu I do not check the Canvas course website email.
Subject: Include the item # and class you are in (E.g.#9600 Sociology101.D1)
Class website: https://canvas.northseattle.edu/login
Login material (Write your items in the space below)
User name: _______________________
Your entire student ID number
Password: ______________________
The sic (6) letters of your last name. (Repeat if less than six eg. Liuliu)
“MyPsychLab” Entry code: May be purchased from the publishers
at: http://www.mypsychlab.com
“MyPsychLab” Course ID is: atkins32508
MyPsychLab: Log In = http://www.mypsychlab.com
MyPsychLab Technical support = 800-677-6337
eLearning student support: http://www.virtualcollege.org/
Course schedule:
The Course Calendar in the back of this syllabus gives you a schedule for the quarter.
Grading: Your class grade is based on the four non-cumulative multiple-choice
midterms (50 points each), “MyPsychLab” (100 points) and extra credit.
My Grades:
Exam #1 _____, Exam #2 _____, Exam #3 _____, Exam #4 _____,
MyPsychLab (% of total) _____ , Extra Credit = _______ Total = _______
(Finding this total on the Grading Scale in this syllabus will give you your final grade).
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Outcome
This course will give you the knowledge to:
* Understand the nature of the individual, of human values and of the relationship
between the self and the community.
Note: Often people have had traumatic experiences or have strong feelings on certain
topics. If you feel any of the topics in the text or class will be emotionally damaging to
you, or difficult to learn about or discuss, or would create a “hostile environment” for you
- do not take this course.
Materials for the course:
1. Text:
Myers - Psychology 10th. Ed. Paperback text
ISBN# 1-4641-0855-2
Using older editions: You may use any edition you wish, however, there
may be some changes from one edition to another.
2. “MyPsychLab:
“MyPsychLab” Entry code: May be purchased from the publishers
at: http://www.mypsychlab.com
or from the NSCC Bookstore
You can see a video about how to register in the “Start Here” section of the class website.
NOTE: Choose the MyPsychLab without the e-book. It is cheaper, and we
are using a different text. This website is used for the required 100 points of
video activities and quizzes, not the text.
MyPsychLab: Log In = http://www.mypsychlab.com
MyPsychLab Technical support = 800-677-6337
Computer (PC or Mac) with good internet connection, internet browser, ability to view
power Point and PDF files.
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MyPsychLab (Required)
“MyPsychLab” is a website that provides the videos to view and take a short
multiple choice quiz based on the material. This will add interest to the class, and enable
you to be exposed to material we do not have time to cover in class. It will also give you
one hundred points in the class (one third of the total points). These are designed so you
can view the activity, take the quiz, or view the video again and change your quiz
answers as needed before submitting your answers. Therefore, you should get 100% on
this portion of the course.
The activities are seen on the right side of the Course Calendar at the back of this
syllabus. All the activities are available from the first day of class, and will turn off on
the Saturday indicated in the Course Calendar and the MyPsychLab calendar. Both
calendars have the same dates. If you have not completed the quiz by that time, you will
receive a zero for that activity, which cannot be made up – please believe me. Missing
five points will reduce your final grade in the class 1-2 decimal grades. Please complete
these activities on or before the scheduled date in the Course Calendar.
To register for “MyPsychLab”
You must use Internet Explorer (PC) or Safari (Mac) browser,
Firefox is not supported
The steps below are also presented in a video with screen
shots under “Start Here” in your Angel course website
1. Go to:
2. Under “Register” select student
3. Check “Yes, I have a Course ID
4. Enter Course ID: (Find course ID on the first page of this syllabus – atkins*****)
5. Select, “Create a Pearson Account” – Create
6. Complete the account information, check “I accept the license agreement”
7. Click “Create Account”
8. If you purchased an access code from the NSCC bookstore, under “Use an Access
Code” click “Access code”. If you have not purchased an access code from the
NSCCbookstore, you may purchase one directly from the publisher on this page under
“New MyPsychLab”
9. Enter your access code and click “Finish”.
10. Click “Go to your course” (I suggest printing this page with the account information
and order details)
11. You should now see the title of your course, which is the entry point for all the
MyPsychLab materials.
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Overview of “MyPsychLab”
1. Click on the name of your course, “General Psychology - 100”
2. Before you do anything else:
Click on “Tune up your browser” and follow the directions
This will solve 90% of the technical problems you will have later if you
do not do this
Click on “Set your time zone” and follow the directions for Pacific Time.
The time may be set automatically.
Click on “View user guides” and read the materials
3. On the left hand side you will find the following items:
Assignment Calendar:
Click the title, and then click “Enter”
This will give you the due dates for each of the “MyPsychLab”
assignments. This is the date the assignments turn off. Please do
them on or before this date.
To change months, click on the right or left facing triangle on either side
of the month.
Clicking on the clock icon in each date will give you the activities that will
turn off at 11:00 on that date. This is the date also listed in the
Course Calendar at the back of your syllabus. You may complete
that activity on or before that date, but not after that date. If not
completed by that date, you will have a zero for that activity.
Student Grades
Click on “Student Grades”, > “Enter”> “Custom View” (in the navigation
bar at the top) to see your grades.
4. MyPsychLab video (Watch) assignments with quizzes:
I suggest watching the video through once, then take the quiz. You may watch
the video again as often as you want while taking the quiz.
You may change your answers as often as you wish before submitting the quiz.
My expectation is that all students will get 100% correct on all the quizzes.
Scoring for MyPsychLab quizzes
The percentage correct on the video quizzes equals the points received (out of 100) on
this portion of the course. For example, if you average a score of 85% on all the
MyPsychLab video quizzes you have 85 points on this part of the course.
My expectation is that all students will get 100% correct on all the quizzes.
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Exams
There are four multiple choice midterm exams (50 pts. each) and the website
activities(100 pts.). The four midterm exams are not cumulative and cover only the
chapters for that exam. The exams will test your knowledge of concepts, terms, and
findings. You will also be asked to apply some of the fundamental concepts to new
situations.
How to do well on the exams
The exams come from the text and many additional items to help you understand
the material. Use the Course Calendar at the end of this syllabus to keep yourself on
track so you will have covered the material and understand it before you take the exam.
To understand each topic, read the text, listen to the class presentation, take notes, review
the chapter diagrams, and complete the study guides.
The “How to Study” sheet in this syllabus discusses the best strategy for doing
well in the course.
Scoring exams
The score you receive will be the grade indicated by the computer. I feel this is
the fairest for the largest number of students. While I am glad to discuss the exam with
you, it will not change your score. Any changes in question wording, etc. will be
considered for next quarter, but will not be used to change scores this quarter.
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Make-up exams:
You need to take the exams on or before the date indicated in the Course
Calendar. If you wait until after that date, and the exam is not available, you need to take
a make-up exam. These make-up exams are designated with a “B”, and are available
throughout the quarter, until the last day indicated on the Course Calendar.
The closing dates will not be extended. If you have not completed an item by the last
day, and have not made it up, you will receive a zero for that item – believe me.
The Course Calendar in the back of this syllabus gives you a suggested schedule for the
quarter, including the last date for completing the exams.
Make-up exams are more difficult
I recommend you take the exams as scheduled, because the make-up exams are
more difficult. The difference is that I "teach to the test" for the scheduled exams.
The make-up exams are only from the text. I ask the computer to randomly select
questions from a database of questions (e.g. randomly select 50 questions from chapters
1-4). These exams look the same (e.g. 50 multiple choice questions), however, they will
have different questions than the originally scheduled exam.
Take only one exam:
Do not take (or view) both the original exam and the retake exam for the same
test. If you do, you will receive the LOWER of the two scores because I do not want you
viewing the questions from both exams. This is done to reduce people cheating by
working together to see questions before taking the exam.
When you click “Begin” you must take the exam:
Do not click “Begin” (even by accident) and look through the exam without
answering the questions because the computer will automatically submit a zero into the
grade book, which will be your grade for that exam. This is done to reduce cheating.
If you want to take Exam 1, be certain you do not click on Exam 1B, which is the makeup exam, and will be harder. If you are not paying attention, and click “Begin” for Exam
1B, you will need to take that exam.
Simply take the exams as scheduled.
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Grading
Your final grade will be based on the total questions you answered correctly on all
four exams and the website materials.
TOTAL
POINTS
300-270
269-240
239-210
209-180
179-0
%
90
80
70
60
GRADE
"A"
"B"
"C"
"D"
"E"
4.0-3.5
3.4-2.5
2.4-1.5
1.4-0.
0.0
(See the "Grading Scale" page for a more detailed grade distribution)
Exam #1 = 50 pts.
Exam #2 = 50 pts.
Exam #3 = 50 pts.
Exam #4 = 50 pts.
“My Psych Lab” website = 100 pts.
Total = 300 points
(See the “Grading Scale” page for a more detailed grade distribution)
Extra credit is simply added to your total points above.
Avoid procrastination:
The freedom to take exams when you are ready lends itself to procrastination by
less disciplined students. This can result in a last minute panic to take the exams,
resulting in less study and understanding of the material, therefore, lower grades.
Do not wait until the last possible day to take the exams. Emails like, “I forgot
what the last day was”, or ”I tried to take the exams, and my computer (or internet) had
problems”, or, “My electricity turned off”, or “I tried to open the last exam, and it was
not there (emailed after the last day)”, now it is past the last day and the class is over,
how do I make it up? The answer is, you don’t. Any exams not completed before the
exams turn off have a score of zero – believe me. Please complete all exams before the
very last possible day.
Therefore, I recommend at least following the suggested course calendar at the
back of the syllabus to avoid this procrastination.
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Grading Scale
Total
Points
300 (100%)
299
298 4.0
297
296_____
295
294
293 3.9
292
291_____
290
289
288 3.8
287
286
285_____
284
283
282 3.7
281
280_____
279
278
277 3.6
276
275_____
274
273
272 3.5
271
270____(90%)
A
269
268 3.4
267_____
266
265 3.3
264_____
263
262 3.2
261_____
260
259 3.1
258_____
257
256 3.0
255_____
254
253 2.9
252_____
251
250 2.8
249_____
248
247 2.7
246_____
245
244 2.6
243_____
242
241 2.5
240____(80%)
B
239
238 2.4
237_____
236
235 2.3
234_____
233
232 2.2
231_____
230
229 2.1
228_____
227
226 2.0
225_____
224
223 1.9
222_____
221
220 1.8
219_____
218
217 1.7
216_____
215
214 1.6
213_____
212
211 1.5
210____(70%)
C
209
208
207 1.4
206
205
204_____
203
202
201 1.3
200
199
198_____
197
196
195 1.2
194
193
192_____
191
190
189 1.1
188
187
186_____
185
184
183 1.0
182
181
180____(60%)
179 0.0
D
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The grading scale is the same for everyone:
After all grades are in, students come to my office wanting me to make a new, easier,
grading scale just for them that does not apply to the rest of you.
These requests sound like this: “I only need one more point to get the next higher grade
… please.” “I am failing the class, so don’t give me the grade I earned, give me an NC
(or an Incomplete) instead.” “If you give me the grade I earned, I can not get into the
university.” “I need a 2.0, or I will be deported.” “I will lose my financial aid.” “I
forgot to take the test when it was scheduled with everyone else, so can I take it now
(several days later)?” “I tried (or I learned a lot) so you should give me a higher grade.”
“I did not know I was registered in the class and did absolutely nothing, so I should not
receive a 0.0 grade.” “I had personal problems during the quarter, so you should increase
my grade (or any deadlines should not apply to me).” “I did not remember it was due
then, so can I turn it in now?” I can not grade based on any of these factors. You need to
do the best you possibly can from the first day of class, and feel confident the grade you
receive at the end was the best you are capable of.
If you need help with anything, please see me. I want you to do very well in class and
have established many items to help you do so. These include:
(1) “How To Study” sheet in this syllabus,
(2) Class Presentations
(3) Power point slides,
(4) The text
(5) Study Guides,
(6) Chapter Diagrams
(7) My office hours if you need additional help understanding the material.
With all this support, please remember, the grading scale is the same for everyone.
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**Instructor created support materials:
Class Presentations (Videos):
To view the presentation, click on the file. After the introductory slide appears, click on
the right pointing triangle in the center. This will start the presentation. Be certain the
volume is on (mute turned off) and the volume is turned up to a comfortable level. You
may then simply sit back and listen to the presentation as if you were attending the class
which created these presentations. However, you have the advantage of being able to
pause or rewind and review the presentation using the controls at the bottom of the
screen.
These recordings have been made “live” in class.
When listening to the recordings and watching the slides, it is good to have the Study
Guide, Chapter Diagram, and text in front of you to use as guides to what will be on the
exam. If you wish to print out the slides, they are available in a file entitled “Power Point
Slides”.
These recordings, and the related Power Point slides, have been included for the
following reasons:
1. It gives you a feeling of being in class, complete with stories, examples, and
comments.
2. You get to know your instructor on a more personal level
3. You get to hear explanations of topics that may be difficult to comprehend
otherwise.
Power Point slides:
The Power Point slides are not “canned” from the textbook, they have been made by your
instructor specifically to help you with the exams, and are the same ones used in the class
presentations.
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Chapter Diagrams:
Chapter diagrams are “Concept Maps” of the key concepts being discussed in
lecture, test, and exams. The theory behind these maps is that you can remember a
diagram (or photograph or drawing) better than written text or an outline. This is
particularly true of visual learners.
How to use them:
The best way to use these is to print them out on a color printer and have them in
front of you (along with the study guides) when you listen to the lectures. When listening
to the lectures, or reading the text, you can take notes and transfer the key ideas to the
concept diagrams for later study.
When writing the notes into your diagram, ask yourself if you understand them;
then explain it to yourself (or someone else). It will work even better if you can say this
aloud to yourself so you can hear it.
How to study with them:
1. Add any notes you want to the diagram
2. Develop a mental image of the diagram
3. Try to reproduce that image on a blank piece of paper without looking at the
original diagram.
4. Compare your diagram to the original.
A. The missing items are the ones you need to concentrate on
B. Repeat this process.
Finally, these are just study aids. You do not need to use them if you do not want, and
there is nothing to complete or hand in.
Study Guides:
This file gives you a study guide for each chapter. These are designed directly from the
exams. While you read the text, listen to the class presentations, and view the Power
Point slides, keep these sheets with you, and work toward being able to answer each of
the questions. These will then help you during the exams.
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How to study:
Look at the course calendar to see what materials need to be covered that day.
MyPsychLab:
Complete these items before the date they turn off as indicated in that calendar.
All activities are available from the start of class. However, this will eliminate
any computer problems preventing you from receiving credit after the assignment turns
off.
Class materials (for each chapter):
1. Print out the study materials. This includes the power points (3-6 to a page), chapter
diagrams, and the study guide.
This will help you focus your studying on the most important items.
2. Spread out the text and all the materials in front of you, then listen to the lecture video.
Pause the video to make notes on the study materials.
This will help you recall the lecture material.
3. In the text, highlight and review the “Terms and Concepts to Remember” at the back of
the chapter that are covered in the power points. Also, turn to Appendix B, Complete
Chapter Reviews, and read about the items covered in the power points. Finally, read
that section of the chapter for a more detailed discussion of each item.
Use the text as a reference book, do not read page after page.
This will help you review the class material, and see how it relates to the text.
4. After listening to the video and reading the text:
A. Add to any notes you may have made on the power points, diagrams, etc.
B. Complete the study guide questions. They do not need to be handed in.
This will help you further understand the material presented in the video and
focus your study time on what is most apt to be on the exam.
Each day:
Take about fifteen minutes per chapter to review the materials presented since the last
exam.
Learning research tells us that many short reviews helps you remember the
material much better than one long review.
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Miscellaneous items
Extra credit: You may receive up to ten points extra credit (one point each) for making
five postings, and five replies to a post on the discussion board during the quarter.
A post or reply must be at least one thoughtful paragraph. A reply post is not something
like “I agree”. If you agree, discuss why you agree with that position, and disagree with
others. You could also add critical thinking questions to be considered.
An original posting can be your thoughts on a topic in lecture or the text. You may also
respond to a suggested discussion question. A posting is not simply rewording one of the
discussion questions I have provided. If you do that, include your thoughtful answer to
that question and perhaps further questions to be considered.
You may provide these posts until the day all the exams turn off. However, I suggest
doing them throughout the quarter. You may provide additional postings if you want to,
or feel previous postings may not receive credit.
If you use “copy and paste” in an attempt to avoid thoughtful postings, you will receive a
zero on the entire posting portion of the class.
Incompletes: No “Incomplete” (I) grades will be given.
No Credit “NC” grades and Withdrawals: You must request an "NC" grade or
withdraw by the “last day to withdraw” indicated on the course calendar. If you
have not, you will receive a decimal grade for this course.
************************************************************************
When the Registrar’s office says you can get an “NC” grade up until the end of the
quarter, they mean they will process it. What they tend not to tell you is that you
can only receive an NC if requested by the instructor based on the criteria for
assigning an NC grade. My criteria are that you can only receive an NC grade if it
is requested prior to the last day to withdraw. After that date you will receive a
decimal grade. Do not tell me the Registrar said you could get an NC grade up until
the end of the quarter – you cannot.
************************************************************************
Cheating: Any cheating on exams will result in a score of zero (“0”) for that exam (which
can not be retaken). Copying an exam, sending an exam to another student, or keeping
an exam is considered cheating. Facilitating the cheating of another student is also
considered cheating, and both parties will receive a zero.
Posting Final Grades: Final grades will not be posted. You may check your grades via
the internet at: NSCC home page > Online Services > Look Up Your Grades.
Guidelines for Student Conduct: Students are expected to comply with student conduct
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policy and procedures. Information on student responsibilities and rights is available at
the following website: www.seattlecolleges.com/services
Americans with Disabilities Act: If you need course adaptations or accommodation
because of a disability; you must contact Disability Services at phone 527-3697, or TTY:
526-0079 or on the web at http://access.northseattle.edu/services/ds.htm
Academic Honesty: Academic honesty is highly valued at NSCC. A student must
always submit work that represents his/her original words or ideas.
How to check your internet browser if you are having problems
1. Go to the class website and log in.
3. Often, simply turning off “pop-up blockers” on your web browser will solve problems.
4. Another way to check your browser is to try all the class activities, such as the Power
Points, the recordings, and the class materials. If these all work, you are ok. If you still
have questions, contact the eLearning office on the first page of this syllabus.
How to see your final course grade:
You may check your grades via the internet at: NSCC home page > Online
Services > Look Up Your Grades. Put in your Student ID and Student PIN, then click on
“Get My Transcript”.
How to withdraw from the course:
You may withdraw from a course via the internet at: NSCC home page > Services >
Online Services > Register/Add/Drop Classes, and follow the directions
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Course Calendar
You may schedule your time as you wish. However, please take all exams and do the
activities on or before the date they turn off. All exams and activities are open when class
starts. Exams turn off as indicated; activities turn off the Saturday of that week, and
cannot be made up.
Date
3
Class Presentation Videos & Exams
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Download and read the syllabus
Listen to videos in “Start Here”
1 – Thinking Critically
5
2-Biology of the brain-1
April 1
6
8
10
12
13
15
17
19
“My Psych Lab” Activities
Tuesday & Thursday
Register for MyPsycLab
See “Start Here” in class website
Scientific Research Methods
Thinking Critically
Resolving conflict
How am I being Influenced
My Brain made me do it
How the brain works Part 1
How the brain works Part 2
Saturday
2-Biology of the brain-2
3-Consciousness
Brain imaging
States of consciousness
Rhythms of consciousness
4-Nature - Nurture
Saturday Week 1 & 2 activities turn off
Review
Exam #1 (Turns off at 11:00 pm)
5-Development & Life Span
20
22
6-Sensation & Perception
24
7-Learning-1
26
27
29
May 1
3
4
6
8
7-Learning-2
8-Memory-1
8-Memory-2
Review
Preschool years: Egocentrism
Attachment
Conservation of liquids
Erikson’s first four stages
Erikson’s last four stages
Saturday This week’s activities turn off
Managing Pain
Five well known illusions
Classical conditioning
Operant conditioning
More tips for studying
Saturday This week’s activities turn off
Making it stick
Cramming
Saturday This week’s activities turn off
Exam #2 (Turns off at 11:00 pm)
9-Thinking & Language
The mind is what the brain does
Theories of intelligence
Intelligence testing then and now
Intelligence tests and success
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Robert Sternberg on intelligence
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11
13
15
17
18
20
22
24
25
27
29
31
June 1
3
5
7
8
10
12
13
10 - Intelligence
Saturday This week’s activities turn off
11-Motivation
Basic theories of emotion and motivation
Eating disorders
12-Emotion, Stress & health-1
Detecting lies
Sex and gender differences
Sexual orientation
12-Emotion, Stress & health-2
Sexual problems & dysfunction
Eating Disorders
Saturday This week’s activities turn off
Review
Exam #3 (Turns off at 11:00 pm)
13-Personality
Personality theories
Measuring personality
Locus
Saturday This week’s activities turn off
Holiday – Memorial Day
14-Social Psychology
Attribution
Cognitive dissonance – Need to justify our actions
Conformity and influence in groups
Helping a stranger
Internal and external attributions
15-Psychological Disorders-1
What does it mean to have a mental disorder?
Diagnosing mental disorders
Saturday This week’s activities turn off
15-Psychological Disorders-2
Major Depression
Obsessive-compulsive disorders
Phobias
Schizophrenia
16-Therapy-1
Therapies in action
16-Therapy-2
Cognitive behavioral therapy-1
Cognitive Behavioral therapy-2
Saturday This week’s activities turn off
All activities are now turned off.
Review
Exam #4
(Turns off at 11:00 pm)
Class ends
Class ends
Above dates may vary
May 24th. is the last day to withdraw