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General Psychology
9604-PSYC&100.D3
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 NSCC bookstore, or the
publishers at: http://www.mypsychlab.com
“MyPsychLab” Course ID is: atkins21266
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 (10 Pts. from
syllabus quiz).
My Grades:
Exam #1 _____, Exam #2 _____, Exam #3 _____, Exam #4 _____,
MyPsychLab (average % correct) _____ , 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: (Recommended)
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: (Required)
“MyPsychLab” Entry code: May be purchased from the NSCC bookstore or 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 near
the end of the quarter as 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”
Internet Explorer (PC) and Safari (Mac) are the preferred browsers.
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:
A. Click the title “Assignment Calendar”, then click “Enter”
B. Go to the last month of the quarter. To change months, click on the
right or left facing triangle on either side of the month.
C. On the last day of the course you will see a clock icon. Click that date.
Here you will find all the MyPsycLab activities for the entire
quarter, since they all turn off at 11:59 pm (Pacific time) 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 attempted after that date, the
computer will give you a zero for that activity (which will not be
changed). All the quarter’s activities turn off at that time.
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 average 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:
General description:
The four mid-term exams (50 points each) are not cumulative and cover only the
chapters for that exam. The exams are all multiple-choice, and will test your knowledge
of concepts, terms, and findings. You will also be asked to apply some of the
fundamental concepts to new situations.
All exams are available from the first day of the quarter, and close near the last day of the
quarter as indicated on the Course Calendar in this syllabus. I suggest completing all
exams prior to the day they close in case your internet or computer crashes. This gives
you some time to solve any problems. The exams will not be extended. If you have not
completed an exam by the day they turn off, you will receive a zero for that exam –
believe me.
Other exam concerns:
1. Take the exams on a stable internet connection. If your internet crashes, try repeatedly
to restart the connection during the 50 minutes you have to take the exam. The test will
return at the same place you left off, however, the timer will keep going.
2. Once you start an exam you must complete the 50 questions in 50 minutes. You
cannot pause an exam to look up the answer and come back to it later.
3. The exam labeled, “Practice Exam (Not graded)” is the only practice exam. All others
are real exams. This is to familiarize you with the test taking system. You may take this
exam unlimited times. The real exams can only be taken once. You are not expected to
know the answers to this practice exam, and it is not graded. This is just a trial run to be
sure you know how to take an exam.
4. You may use any notes, study guides, text, or other materials provided in the class
during the exams. You may not use any other source of help.
5. To reduce cheating, you can only see one question at a time. You cannot go back to
previous questions. If you simply looked at the questions without answering them, you
will receive a zero on that exam. Do not look at all the questions, then tell me your
computer crashed and ask me to reset the exam. I can see everything you do when you
open an exam, and if this is what you did, it will not be reset. Also, you may only take
each exam once.
6. I suggest you make notes on topics you are unsure about during the exam if you wish
to restudy those items. To protect the exam, I will not email you the questions you
missed. With online digital questions it is easy to copy the exam questions and send
them to other students, friends, relatives or archive them for future reference.
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7. If an answer option is “All the above” and it is in position “B” for example, it means
all the other answers. This option may occur in other than the last (“D” or “E”) position
because the questions and answers are scrambled for each student.
8. 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.
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.
Avoid procrastination:
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 as indicated in the course calendar have a score of zero – believe me.
Therefore, I recommend at least following the suggested course calendar at the back of
the syllabus to avoid this procrastination. Please complete all exams before the very last
possible day.
My hope is that having the exams and study materials available at the start of the quarter
will let you progress at your individual pace and make it more convenient for family and
work schedules, thereby making the class more enjoyable for you.
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Taking the exams:
When taking the exams on line you may use the study guides, text, dictionary, and
chapter diagrams. You may not have anyone else helping you in any way. When taking
the exams, you must answer one question before going on. You may not go back. Also,
If you skip a question you may not go back to answer it. It is best to have an answer for
each question.
NOTE *** Turn off the pop-up blocker in your web browser
To turn off the pop-up blocker. With Firefox, go to tools > Options >Content,
and uncheck the "Block pop up window". With Explorer, go to Tools > Pop-up blocker >
Turn off pop-up blocker.
1. Log in and go to your course home page.
2. Click on “Quizzes” > then quiz (exam) number > then “Take the quiz”.
(Note the time remaining on the right side)
3. Answer the first question >then click “Next” (Answer all questions) >
4. Finally, when all questions are answered, click “Submit” then “OK”.
Note: Your time remaining is shown in the upper right hand corner. At the end of that
time, the exam will automatically stop and will not be reset. Therefore, please watch
your time remaining.
********************************************************************
YOU MUST CLICK “SUBMIT” FOR ALL EXAMS BEFORE 11:00 pm PACIFIC
TIME ON THE DAY THEY TURN OFF AS INDICATED IN THE COURSE
CALENDAR. AT 11:00 pm THE EXAMS TURNS OFF AND YOU WILL NOT
RECEIVE CREDIT FOR TAKING ANY REMAINING EXAMS. I SUGGEST YOU
END ALL YOUR EXAMS PRIOR TO THAT DAY JUST TO BE SURE, IN CASE
THE CLOCKS ARE DIFFERENT, OR YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS.
The Course Calendar gives you a suggested schedule.
*********************************************************************
You need to take the exams on or before the date indicated in the Course
Calendar. The closing dates will not be extended. If you have not completed an item by
the last day, 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.
When you click “Take this quiz” you must take the exam:
Do not click “Take this quiz” (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.
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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 (10 pts. from the syllabus quiz) is simply added to your total points above.
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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, some students want 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.
A fun way to listen to the videos:
Rather than listening to the videos alone, if you have friends in the course it may
be more fun to get together with pizza and popcorn and listen to them (like going to the
movies). Pause the tape at the “Do You Remember” questions and discuss them among
yourselves to see if you understand them. This is also a good time to take a break before
continuing. CAUTION: Do not take the exam immediately afterward with the other
students. You could be accused of helping each other with the answers, which is
cheating, and everyone would receive a zero for the exam.
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 on or before the date they are scheduled in the course calendar.
All activities are available from the start of class. However, this will keep you on
schedule, and eliminate any computer problems preventing you from receiving credit
after the assignment turns off near the end of the quarter.
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 for the syllabus quiz.
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
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.
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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
PSYC&100- Fall 2013
All exams and activities are open when class starts, and close (turn off) near the end of
the quarter as shown below. The closing date will not be extended. I suggest you at least
follow this schedule. You may complete the course early if you wish.
Date
Week of:
September 23
Class Presentation Videos &
Exams
Download and read the syllabus
Listen to videos in “Start Here”
1 – Thinking Critically
2-Biology of the brain-1
September 30
October 7
October 14
2-Biology of the brain-2
3-Consciousness
4-Nature - Nurture
Extra credit syllabus quiz turns off
at 11:59 - October 5
Saturday
Review
Exam #1
5-Development & Life Span
6-Sensation & Perception
7-Learning-1
7-Learning-2
October 21
8-Memory-1
8-Memory-2
Review
October 28
Exam #2
“My Psych Lab” Activities
All are listed on Dec. 6th, when they turn off
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
Brain imaging
States of consciousness
Rhythms of consciousness
Preschool years: Egocentrism
Attachment
Conservation of liquids
Erikson’s first four stages
Erikson’s last four stages
Managing Pain
Five well known illusions
Classical conditioning
Operant conditioning
More tips for studying
Making it stick
Cramming
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9-Thinking & Language
The mind is what the brain does
Theories of intelligence
Intelligence testing then and now
Intelligence tests and success
Robert Sternberg on intelligence
10 - Intelligence
November 4
11-Motivation
12-Emotion, Stress & health-1
12-Emotion, Stress & health-2
November 11
November 18
Review
(Veterans Day)
Exam #3
13-Personality
15-Psychological Disorders-2
16-Therapy-1
16-Therapy-2
December 2
December 6
Personality theories
Measuring personality
Locus
14-Social Psychology
15-Psychological Disorders-1
November 25
Basic theories of emotion and motivation
Eating disorders
Detecting lies
Sexual orientation
Sexual problems & dysfunction
Attribution
Cognitive dissonance – Need to justify our actions
Conformity and influence in groups
Helping a stranger
Internal and external attributions
What does it mean to have a mental disorder?
Diagnosing mental disorders
Major Depression
Obsessive-compulsive disorders
Phobias
Schizophrenia
Therapies in action
Cognitive behavioral therapy-1
Cognitive Behavioral therapy-2
Finding a Therapist
Review
All activities have turned off by 11:59
Exam #4
All exams have turned off by 11:59
December 9 Class ends (There is no final exam)
November 15th. is the last day to withdraw