Prince George's Community College
General Psychology
Professor: Dr. Fridy
Voicemail: (301)322-0538
Office: Marlboro Hall 2032
Email:FRIDYTL@pgcc.edu
Course Description
The course will survey the historical and current perspectives throughout the field of
psychology. Students will explore: psychophysiology, memory, intelligence, sensory
and perception, research methods and principles of learning, developmental and social
psychology, personality theories, abnormal behavior, psychological measurements,
psychotherapy, human sexuality, and applied psychology.
Course Objectives
The objectives of the course are to familiarize students to the various aspects within the
field of psychology. Students will demonstrate adequately their knowledge objectively
and subjectively through class participation, examinations and report writing.
The Evaluation Components are:
5 Chapter Exams: (50%), to be announced
Comprehensive Final Exam: (20%), final exam week
3 Research Journal Reviews: (20%), to be announced
Class Participation: (10%), actively participates in class discussions
Exams will be announced at least 2 weeks prior to exam date.
No exams or assignments will be accepted after the date scheduled unless the student
presents verified documentation of an emergency preventing their availability.
Late assignments and exams are subject to a 10% reduction in grade.
Class attendance and participation is crucial and required towards obtaining the course objectives;
more than five unexcused class absences or eight unexcused tardiness and/ sleeping will result in
10% reduction of class grade.
Professionalism and mutual respect for the instructor and the diversity of other students will
strongly be encouraged. Any discipline matter will result in three formal warnings by the
instructor, prior to being dismissed from the class.
Reminder: The last day to withdraw from the class is November 20, 2009
College Bookstore Website http://www.pgccbookstore.com/
Textbook(s): Psychology in Action in Modules, 8th Edition, Huffman, Karen ISBN:
13 978047008363-5 www.wiley.com/college/huffman
ISBN: 10 047008363-8 Textbook with Wiley Plus (study materials) www.wileyplus.com
URL: http://edugen.wiley.com/edugen/class/cls97133/
Prince George's Community College
General Psychology
Dr. Fridy
Course Outline for the General Psychology Exams and Concern Paper Project
All dates are subject to change and may be modified by the instructor as necessary
Weeks 1-3
Exam 1
The Psychological Perspectives
Experimental Psychology Concepts, Research Methods & Designs
The Scientific Method in Psychology, Ethical Issues in Research
Weeks 4-7
Exam 2
States of Consciousness: Stages of Sleep and Sleep Disorders
Altered States of Consciousness: Alcohol and Drugs
The Brain and Nervous System: Neuropsychology
Motivation in Eating & Emotions
Weeks 8-11
Exam 3
Learning Theories: Classical Conditioning, Operant Conditioning,
Social Learning theory and Cognitive Behavioral theory.
Memory and Strategies for Memory Enhancement
Weeks 12-14 Concern Paper Project begins.
Exam 4
Human Development: Infancy, Childhood, Adolescence,
Young, Middle and Older Adulthood, Parenting Styles, Temperament Styles
Attachment Theories, (Ainsworth),
Developmental Theories: Cognitive, (Piaget) Social development, (Erickson),
Moral development, (Kholberg),
Weeks 15-16 Concern Paper Due
Exam 5
Personality & Personality Theorists, Culture & Gender Related Issues
Perspectives in Abnormal Psychology & Psychological Disorders:
Thought, Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Human Sexuality: The Human Sexual Response Cycle of males and females, (See the Motivation
Chapter), The Triangular Theory of Love, Sexual Dysfunctions and Sexual Disorders
Social Psychology Theories: Persuasion, Obedience, Conformity, Prejudice
Stress, Health and Coping
Altruism and Prosocial Behavior
December 11-17
Final Exam Week (See college final exam schedule for the date.)
The final exam will be comprehensive: Please see the Appendix A : Psychology 101:
Expected Course Core Learning Outcomes for core learning goals of the course.
***An outline for the final exam will be distributed separately.
Psychology 1010 Course Learning Outcomes:
Upon the completion of the Psychology 1010 course you should be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of major contributions to the field of psychology
in terms of research and theories.
2. Identify, explain, and apply the major psychological principles in the
following areas of psychology: biopsychological, developmental,
learning/cognitive, personality/abnormal and social.
3. Compare and contrast how the major perspectives of psychology explain
behavior.
4. Describe the scientific method and tools used by psychologists to
understand and explain behavior; and describe the ethical principles inherent
in research, teaching, and practice in the field of psychology.
5. Apply basic quantitative reasoning to understand, interpret and manipulate
data from psychological sources.
6. Use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and, when appropriate,
the scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior and mental
processes.
7. Apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational
issues.
8. Demonstrate informational literacy and apply technological proficiency to
access data and evaluate psychological research in order to prepare written
and oral reports.
9. Examine the role of culture as it influences perception, thinking and
behavior in order to facilitate good citizenship and effective participation in
the global community.
Academic Calendar
August 31
Monday
Classes begin for fall 2009
Mon.-Fri.
Late registration and schedule adjustment period
Sept. 5 - 7
Sat.-Mon
COLLEGE CLOSED—Labor Day
September 9
Wednesday
Refund deadline for full semester classes
October 21
Wednesday
Midterm/ End of 1st half-semester classes
October 22
Thursday
Beginning of 2nd half-semester classes
October 27
Tuesday
College Enrichment Day—NO CLASSES
November 20
Friday
Last day to withdraw from full semester classes
November 23
Monday
Advance registration for Spring 2010 begins
November 25
Wednesday
Begining of Holiday. College open/ No classes
November 26-
Thur.-
29
Sun.
November 30
Monday
August 31-Sept.
4
Nov. 30-Dec. 2 Mon.-Wed.
COLLEGE CLOSED—Thanksgiving Vacation
Colllege re-opens and classes resume; Last day to withdraw from
second half-semester classes
Advance registration for spring 2010
December 3
Thursday
Begin open registration for spring 2010
December 10
Thursday
Last day of regular class schedule for fall semester
Fri.-Thur.
Final examination period/last week of classes
December 1117
December 18
Friday
Dec. 19-Jan 3 Sat.-Sun.
January 25
Monday
Registration for Intersession ends. Spring registration closes.
Registration resumes Monday, January 4.
COLLEGE CLOSED—Winter Break
Spring 2010 credit classes begin