South Portland, Maine 04106
Title: Introduction to Psychology
Credit Hours: 3
Instructor: Katie Mccoy
Office Hours: upon request
Catalog Number: PSYC 100
Total Contact Hours: 45
Office : n /a
Email : kmccoy@smccme.edu
Course Syllabus
Course Description
This course is designed to provide a broad overview of the field of Psychology. Special attention will be given to helping the
student become a better thinker, by learning to take charge of ideas one has about psychology. The goal of this course is to
think consciously, deliberately and skillfully about human behavior. Topics such as physiological psychology, perception,
learning, cognition, emotions, health psychology, psychological disorders, as well as others are included.
Prerequisite(s): none Corequisite(s): ENGL-050, ENGL-075
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Define psychology as a discipline and explain its history, and how it is distinct from and related to other disciplines.
2. Explain how psychology is a science and become familiar with the research methods used by psychologists, including
different
research designs, limitations of research findings, and APA ethical principles.
3. Explore the subject matter of the field of psychology and become familiar with the vocabulary, major concepts, theories, and
research findings of psychology.
4. Further develop critical thinking skills by applying them to the field of psychology
5. Become a cautious and analytical consumer of psychological information that is proclaimed to be scientific or based on
research and
recognize the usefulness and limitations of research findings.
6. Understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organization issues.
7. Become aware & respectful of diversity issues which affect behavior & psychological processes and recognize that
sociocultural
contexts may influence the development and application of psychological principles.
Learning Outcomes Competencies:
Critical Thinking: Upon Completion of this course students will have:
1. Read and demonstrated an understanding of complex ideas by identifying key concepts in the field of psychology.
2. Applied theory to practice using problem solving techniques and data analysis.
3. Analyzed and evaluated research data to produce a well-reasoned argument or position on an issue.
Global Citizenship: Upon Completion of this course students will be able to use psychology concepts to:
1. Explain how social interactions are influenced by local, regional, national, and/or global cultures.
2. Recognize cultural and individual differences that underlie the complexities of human behavior and social interaction.
3. Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of cultures that are diverse from their own.
Text, Tools and / or Supplies
King, L. A., The science of psychology, 3rd (2011). New York, McGraw-Hill
Online component: www.mcgrawhillconnect.com
Topical Outline of Instruction
Content Standards
Introduction and Psychology’s Scientific Method – Chapter 1 & 2
After concluding this unit, students understand:
1.Contemporary perspectives used by psychologists to understand behavior and mental processes
in context
2. Major subfields and career opportunities that comprise psychology
3. Research strategies used by psychologists to explore behavior and mental processes
4. Purpose and basic concepts of statistics
5. Ethical issues in research
6. Development of psychology as an empirical science
Biological Foundations of Behavior – Chapter 3
After concluding this unit, students understand:
1. Structure and function of the neuron
2. Organization of the nervous system
3. Hierarchical organization of the structure and function of the brain
4. Technologies and clinical methods for studying the brain
5. Structure and function of the endocrine system
6. How heredity interacts with the environment to influence behavior
7. How psychological mechanisms are influenced by evolution
Sensation and Perception – Chapter 4
After concluding this unit, students understand:
1. Basic concepts explaining the capabilities and limitations of sensory processes
2. Interaction of the person and the environment in determining perception
3. Nature of attention
States of Consciousness – Chapter 5
After concluding this unit, students understand:
1. Nature of consciousness
2. Characteristics of sleep and theories that explain why we sleep
3. Theories used to explain and interpret dreams
4. Basic phenomena and uses of hypnosis
5. Categories of psychoactive drugs and their effects
Learning – Chapter 6
After concluding this unit, students understand:
1. Characteristics of learning
2. Principles of classical conditioning
3. Principles of operant conditioning
4. Components of social, observational, and cognitive learning
5. Roles of biology and culture in determining learning
Memory – Chapter 7
After concluding this unit, students understand:
1.Encoding, or getting information into memory
2. Sensory, working or short-term, and long-term memory systems
3. Retrieval, or getting information out of memory
4. Biological basis of memory
5. Memory constructions
6. Methods for improving memory
Thinking, Intelligence and Language – Chapter 8
After concluding this unit, students understand:
1. Basic elements comprising thought
2. Strategies and obstacles involved in problem solving and decision-making
3. Influence and interaction of heredity and environment on intelligence
4. Nature of intelligence and intelligence testing
5. Structural features of language
6. Theories and developmental stages of language acquisition
7. Links between thinking and language
Human Development – Chapter 9
After concluding this unit, students understand:
1. Development as a lifelong process
2. Research techniques used to gather data on the developmental process
3. Theories of development
4. Issues surrounding the developmental process (nature/nurture, continuity/discontinuity,
stability/instability, critical periods)
Motivation and Emotion – Chapter 10
After concluding this unit, students understand:
1. The role of biology and learning in motivation and emotion
2. Major theories of motivation
3. Interaction of biological and cultural factors in emotions and motivations
4. Role of values and expectancies in determining choice and strength of motivation
5. Physiological, social cultural, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of emotions
6. Effects of motivation and emotion on perception, cognition, and behavior
Gender, Sex, and Sexuality – Chapter 11
1. Defining sex and gender
2. Theories of gender development
3. Gender differences
4. Sexual orientation
5. Sexuality
Personality – Chapter 12
After concluding this unit, students understand:
1. How to distinguish between personality and personality constructs
2. Personality approaches and theories
3. Assessment tools used in personality
Social Psychology – Chapter 13
After concluding this unit, students understand:
1. Social judgment and attitudes
2. Social and cultural categories
3. Social influence and relationships
Psychological Disorders – Chapter 15
After concluding this unit, students understand:
1. Characteristics and origins of abnormal behavior
2. Classifying abnormal behavior
3. Major categories of abnormal behavior
4. Impact of mental disorders
Therapies – Chapter 16
After concluding this unit, students understand:
1. Prominent methods used to treat individuals with disorders
2. Types of practitioners who implement treatment
3. Challenges involved in delivery of treatment
Health Psychology – Chapter 17
After concluding this unit, students understand:
1. Sources of stress
2. Physiological reactions to stress
3. Psychological reactions to stress
4. Cognitive and behavioral strategies for dealing with stress and promoting health
Intro to Psychology Core Requirements
Critical Thinking Requirement: Introduction to Psychology is designated as a Critical Thinking course. There
may be several critical thinking assignments during the semester.
 Information Literacy – One way to improve IL skills is through assignments. Students in this course must be
able to critically evaluate information and discern credible from non-credible material. For example, an
assignment utilizing the pod casts that are located on the Library “On-line Tutorials” may be included during
the semester.
 Metacognition – One of the major goals of this class is to strengthen your ability to be an engaged and
motivated learner. An assignment involving Attribution Theory and Locus of Control will be utilized during the
semester.
 Assessment of Textbook Reading – Students should be able to locate and integrate information using
advanced analysis of the meaning and form of the text. Students should be able to provide specific text
support for inferences, informative statements, and comparisons within and across readings.

Course Requirements
Attendance Policy
Student attendance of class is essential. Attendance and participation are highly necessary in this course. Students are
expected to attend all classes unless excused by the instructor due to unusual circumstances. Absences require prior
approval by the instructor. Grade points will be deducted from the participation component of the course grade for
absences. If you must miss a class, it is your responsibility to discover what you missed and be prepared to participate fully
upon your return. Any late assignments will have their grade reduced by a letter grade per day. You are also expected to be
at class on time. 3 consecutive absences can result in the failure of the class. Frequent tardiness without my prior approval
will result in a lower class participation grade.
Course Requirements

Complete all reading assignments and be prepared to discuss them in class:
Reading comprehension will be randomly tested through oral questions & Quizzes

Complete oral presentation:
The oral presentation will be completed in groups of 4-5 students. You will provide a 20 minute presentation of a
common mental health disorder or psychology related topic.

Complete 2 Exams :
You must be on time for class on exam days! There will be no admittance to class late on exam days!!!! You will
get a zero if you are not present for the start of the exam. Prepare for everything, pretend you are catching a plane
and get there early.

Critical Thinking
Several times throughout the semester there will be assignments to test critical thinking. These assignments will be
short essays to answer questions about topics from the book and how they relate to class discussions.
Student Evaluation and Grading
A letter grade will be given for the course with your direct input considered. The grade components are as follows:
Class Participation = 25%
Oral Presentation = 25%
Critical Thinking = 25%
Exams
= 25%
A
93-100
A-
90-92
B+
87-89
B
83-86
B-
80-82
C+
77-79
C
73-76
C-
70-72
D+
67-69
D
63-66
F
Failure
Class Calendar
TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE (Note: this outline may change over the course of the semester)
#
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Date
Week of 1/12
Topic(s)
Assignments
Introduction to Class, Syllabus Review
(MWF)
Week of 1/19
(WF)
Week of 1/26
(MWF)
Week of 2/2
(MWF)
Week of 2/9
(MWF)
Week of 2/16
(WF)
Week of 2/23
What is Psychology?
Psychology’s Scientific Method
(MWF)
Week of 3/16
(MWF)
Week of 3/23
(MWF)
Week of 3/30
Chapter 1 & 2
Biological Foundations of Behavior
Chapter 3
Sensation and Perception
Exam # 1 (F)
Chapter 4
States of Consciousness / Research Prep
Chapter 5
Learning
Memory
Thinking, Intelligence, and Language
(MWF)
Week of 3/2
Discussion and Introductions
Human Development/ 1st article and write-up
due Mon
Motivation and Emotion
Oral Presentations
Chapter 6 & 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
MWF
Gender, Sex, and Sexuality
Chapter 11
(WF)
Psychological Disorders/ Articles 2& 3 and
write-ups due Mon
Chapter 15
Week of 4/13
Therapies
(MWF)
Week of 4/6
(MWF)
Week of 4/20
Personality
(WF)
Week of 4/27
(MWF)
Week of 5/4
(MW)
Social Psychology/ Comprehensive essay due
Mon
Exam # 2 (W)
Exam Prep
Chapter 16
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Wrap Up
SEE STUDENT HANDBOOK FOR OTHER ACADEMIC POLICIES.
End-of-Course Evaluation
In order to gain access to final course grades, students must complete evaluations for each course attended at SMCC.
Evaluations are submitted online and can be accessed through the student portal site. Students can access the course
evaluation report beginning two weeks before the end of classes. The deadline for submission of evaluations occurs 24
hours after the last day of classes each semester. Instructors will announce when the online course evaluation is available.
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act): Southern Maine Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action
institution and employer. For more information, please call 207-741-5798. If you have a disabling condition and wish to
request accommodations in order to have reasonable access to the programs and services offered by SMCC, you
must register with the Disability Services Coordinator, Sandra Lynham, who can be reached at 741-5923. Further
information about services for students with disabilities and the accommodation process is available upon request at this
number. Course policies about online testing are modified to suit each individual’s accommodations.
SMCC Pay-for-Print Policy
In an effort to control the escalating cost of supplies and to encourage students to conserve resources, SMCC charges for
printing. Students receive a $20 credit every semester. This credit resets for each semester and extra credit is not rolled
over to the next semester. Per page costs are as follows:

8.5"x11" black and white: $0.10 per page

8.5"x11" color: $0.50 per page

8.5"x14" and 11"x17" black and white: $0.20 per page

8.5"x14" and 11"x17" color: $1.00 per page
Duplex (two-sided) pages are discounted 50% from the listed page costs.
Students can monitor their remaining credit and number of pages printed by visiting the IT Help tab on MySMCC or by
checking the Printing Information icon in the lower right corner of the screen while logged in to an SMCC computer.
More information about the Pay-for-Print Policy is available on the IT Help tab on MySMCC.
Add-Drop Policy
Students who drop a course during the one-week “add/drop” period in the fall and spring semesters and the first three days
of summer sessions receive a 100% refund of the tuition and associated fees for that course. Please note any course that
meets for less than the traditional semester length, i.e., 15 weeks, has a pro-rated add/drop period. There is no refund for
non-attendance.
Withdrawal Policy
A student may withdraw from a course only during the semester in which s/he is registered for that course. The withdrawal
period is the second through twelfth week of the fall and spring semesters and the second through ninth week of twelveweek summer courses. This period is pro-rated for shorter-length courses. To withdraw from a course, a student must
complete and submit the appropriate course withdrawal form, available at the Enrollment Service Center (no phone calls,
please). The designation “W” will appear on the transcript after a student has officially withdrawn. A course withdrawal is an
uncompleted course and may adversely affect financial aid eligibility. Failure to attend or ceasing to attend class does not
constitute withdrawal from the course. There is no refund associated with a withdrawal.
Plagiarism Statement
Adherence to ethical academic standards is obligatory. Cheating is a serious offense, whether it consists of taking credit for
work done by another person or doing work for which another person will receive credit. Taking and using the ideas or
writings of another person without clearly and fully crediting the source is plagiarism and violates the academic code as well
as the Student Code of Conduct. If it is suspected that a student in any course in which s/he is enrolled has knowingly
committed such a violation, the faculty member should refer the matter to the College’s Disciplinary Officer and appropriate
action will be taken under the Student Code of Conduct. Sanctions may include suspension from the course and a failing
grade in the course. Students have the right to appeal these actions to the Disciplinary Committee under the terms outlined
in the Student Code of Conduct.