South Portland, Maine 04106
Title: Introduction to Psychology
Credit Hours: 3
Instructor: Jeremy J. Kendall
Office Hours: As Needed
Catalog Number: PSYC 100 M1
Total Contact Hours: 45
Office :
Email : jkendall@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, 3nd (2011). New York, McGraw-Hill
Week
1
2
3
Dates
01/12
01/14
01/19
No Class
01/21
4
01/26
01/28
5
6
02/02
02/04
02/09
02/11
Agenda
Course / Class Introduction
What is Psychology?
Homework: Due Next Week
Chapter 1
Introduction and
Research Methods
Chapter 1:
1.Contemporary perspectives used by
psychologists to understand behavior and
mental processes in context
2. Major subfields and career opportunities
that comprise psychology
Chapter 2
1.Research strategies used by psychologists
to explore behavior and mental processes
2. Purpose and basic concepts of statistics
3. Ethical issues in research
6. Development of psychology as an
empirical science
Chapter 3
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
Chapter 4
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
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
Chapter 6
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
Chapter 2
Research Methods
Chapter 3
Biological Basis of
Behavior
Chapter 4
Sensation and Perception
Chapter 5
States of Consciousness
Critical Thinking
Assignment #1
Chapter 6
Learning
Chapter 7
Memory
Chapter 8
Thinking Intelligence and
language
determining learning
Chapter 7
1.Encoding, or getting information into
memory
2. Sensory, working or short-term, and longterm memory systems
3. Retrieval, or getting information out of
memory
4. Biological basis of memory
5. Memory constructions
6. Methods for improving memory
7
8
9
10
11
12
02/16
No Class
02/18
02/23
02/25
03/02
03/04
03/09
03/11
03/16
03/18
03/23
03/25
Chapter 8
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
Chapter 9
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)
Chapter 10
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
Spring Break
Chapter 11
1. Defining sex and gender
2. Theories of gender development
3. Gender differences
4. Sexual orientation
5. Sexuality
Chapter 12
1. How to distinguish between personality
and personality constructs
Chapter 9
Human Development
Critical Thinking
Assignment #2
Chapter 10
Motivation and Emotion
Chapter 11
Gender Sex, and
Sexuality
Spring Break
Chapter 12
Personality
Critical Thinking
Assignment #3
Chapter 13
Social Psychology
2. Personality approaches and theories
3. Assessment tools used in personality
13
03/30
04/01
Chapter 13
1. Social judgment and attitudes
2. Social and cultural categories
3. Social influence and relationships
Locus of control
assignment
Chapter 14
Industrial and
Organizational
Psychology
Chapter 15
Psychological Disorders
14
04/06
04/08
15
04/13
04/15
16
04/20
04/22
17
04/27
04/29
18
05/04
05/06

Chapter 14
1. Origins of Industrial and organizational
psychology
2. Organizational culture
Chapter 15
1. Characteristics and origins of abnormal
behavior
2. Classifying abnormal behavior
3. Major categories of abnormal behavior
4. Impact of mental disorders
Chapter 16
1. Prominent methods used to treat
individuals with disorders
2. Types of practitioners who implement
treatment
3. Challenges involved in delivery of
treatment
No Class
Chapter 16
Therapies
Chapter 17
Health Psychology
No Class
Chapter 17
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
Final Critical Thinking
All Students are expected to attend and participate in each session of Student Presentations
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. 25% of a student’s grade
must be derived from critical thinking assignments.
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
Grading – All assignments must be completed in order to successfully complete the course. It is your
responsibility to keep track of your progress in this course. Should you feel you need extra help, do not
understand the required material or a given assignment it is up to you to make arrangements to meet with me.
Email Assignments: From time to time I may email the class for assignment distribution, class
announcements, or schedule/syllabus changes. I will only send emails to SMCC email accounts. ALL
email correspondence will only be conducted through the given SMCC email address. If you do not
have a SMCC email address or are having technical challenges please notify the appropriate personal as
soon as possible. Without prior approval any assignment that is emailed to myself and not passed in
as a hard copy on the assigned due date will not be accepted, no exceptions.
If permission is granted to email me an assignment you do so at your own risk. If you do not receive an email
back from me stating that the assignment was received within the assigned due date assume that I did not
receive it. Emails must be received in accordance with the outlined late assignment policy. Meaning, if you
choose to email an assignment it may be any later that the end of class that the assignment is due. This can
only be achieved by ensuring that your email is date and timed stamped. If it is not sent by an SMCC email
address I will assume it is junk email, I will not open it. Assignments can only be sent in word or PDF format. If
an assignments are send in anything other formats (i.e . Works, notepad, GIF, or any Apple processing
programs) assignments will not be opened and marked as late.
ATTENDENCE AND MAKE-UP POLICY
Students who are late (after attendance is taken) or leave early will only be able to receive a maximum of ½
class attendance. Students who arrive after attendance is taken are responsible for informing the instructor
immediately after class in order to assure that they receive credit for partial attendance. It is understood that
students will have situations at times which make attendance difficult – health issues, family emergencies,
weather and transportation problems, etc., and it is assumed that students will make responsible choices to care
for themselves as well as their schoolwork and other responsibilities. Permission from the instructor to miss
any given class, however, is a courtesy only, and does NOT mean that you will receive credit for
attendance at that class.
Make-up exams require the permission of the instructor and serious extenuating circumstances must be
demonstrated for the permission to be given. Papers and projects will not be accepted more than one week
beyond the due date without special permission of the instructor. Papers and projects accepted up to
one week late will automatically be reduced by one grade. If you know that you will not be able to be in class
on the day an assignment is due, you may turn that assignment in early to in order to receive your full grade
earned.
Classroom Disruptions
In order to maintain best possible environment for learning, students are expected to minimize classroom
disruptions. In practice this means:

Students may not use cell phones or other electronic devices in class. Studies consistently show that
these devices undermine the academic performance of all students in the classroom.

Students may not bring guests to class without the instructor’s prior authorization.

Students may not bring children under the age of twelve to class for any reason.

Students must be respectful of their classmates and the instructor by arriving on time and staying for the
entire class period.
CLASS PRINCIPALS AND EXPECTATIONS
Academic Standard:
All course work will be graded against an expected standard of college level work (See Human Services Rubric.)
No other considerations will be used in the grading process. No matter what your personal circumstances, you
will be judged by this standard.
Effort and Enthusiasm:
It is expected that you will put in an appropriate amount of time and effort to be successful in the course. A good
student is one who demonstrates interest in the material as well as active engagement in the class.
Respect:
Respect for the class and for other students is important. This includes getting to class on time to avoid
interruptions, not distracting the class with talking, texting, use of electronics or other disruptive behavior, and
treating other students and their comments respectfully. Students who appear in class to be under the influence
of alcohol or other substances may be asked to leave or reported to appropriate authorities. Students may also
be asked to leave if they exhibit inappropriate conduct according to SMCC Human Services Student Conduct
policies
Student Evaluation and Grading
3 Critical Thinking Assignments – 25%
Final Critical Thinking Paper – 15%
Locus of control / Attribution Theory Assignment – 10%
Weekly Objective Quiz - 25% (2 lowest quiz grades dropped)
Attendance/participation – 25%
All assignments must be typed, not hand written assignments will be allowed. All written assignments must be
double spaced, size 12 fonts, with 1-inch margins.
Weekly quizzes cannot be made up if missed. Quizzes can be corrected and passed in the following week for
increased grade. Half of the lost points can be gained if the quiz is brought to 100%
All assignments must be completed in order to successfully complete the course. It is your responsibility to keep
track of your progress in this course. Should you feel you need extra help, do not understand the required
material or a given assignment it is up to you to make arrangements to meet with me.
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
Final Thoughts: The Instructor reserves the right to correct, change, and/or modify any of the contents of
this document at any time.
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.