South Portland, Maine 04106
Title: Introduction to Psychology
Credit Hours: 3
Instructor: Jim Gorham, MS
Email : jgorham@smccme.edu
Catalog Number: PSYC 100
Total Contact Hours: 45
Office Hours: By appointment
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
Topical Outline of Instruction (See class schedule below)
Content Standards
Introduction and Research Methods – 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 Basis 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
Life Span 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 (Optional)
1. Defining sex and gender
2. Theories of gender development
3. Gender differences
4. Sexual orientation
5. Sexuality
Personality and Assessment – 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 and Cultural Dimensions of Behavior – 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
Treatment of Psychological Disorders – 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.
Intro to Psychology Core Requirements
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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.
Metacognition – A major goal of this class is to strengthen your ability to be an engaged and
motivated learner. An assignment involving Attribution Theory/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.
Class Schedule - Fall 2015
Week
Date
1
9/1
9/3
2
9/8
9/10
3
9/15
9/17
4
9/22
9/24
5
9/29
10/1
6
10/6
10/8
7
10/13
10/15
10/20
10/22
8
9
10/27
10/29
10
11/3
11/5
11
11/10
11/12
12
11/17
11/19
13
11/24
11/26
14
12/1
12/3
15
12/8
12/10
16
12/15
12/17
Topic
Introduction – Review Syllabus
History of Psychology
Research Methods
Continued
Biological Foundations of Behavior
Continued
Sensation and Perception
Experimental Design Project (5%)
States of Consciousness
Continued
Learning
Continued
Memory
Continued
Thinking, Intelligence and Language
Exam 1
Human Development
Continued
Motivation and Emotion
Locus of Control – Activity (5%)
Personality
Continued
Social Psychology
Continued
Psychological Disorders
Thanksgiving – No Class
Psychological Disorders
Research Symposium (10%)
Therapies and Treatments
Continued
Class Review
Exam 2
Class
Activities
Chapters to
be read
Quiz 1 Due
1
2
Quiz 2 Due
3
Quiz 3 Due
Group Project
Quiz 4 Due
4
Paper 1 Due
Quiz 5 Due
Quiz 6 Due
6
5
7
8
Exam 1
9
Quiz 7 Due
Paper 2 Due
Locus of Control
Quiz 8 Due
LOC Paper Due
Quiz 9 Due
Blackboard
Assignment (5%)
10
12
13
15
15
Research Symposium
Quiz 10
16
Exam 2
Note: Course schedule and learning activities are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.
Course Requirements
Attendance
Participation
Locus of Control
Quizzes
Exam 1
Exam 2
Writing Assignments
Research Symposium
Blackboard Discussion
Total
5%
10%
10%
23%
10%
15%
12%
10%
5%
100%
Student Evaluation and Grading
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Attendance (5%): You must arrive on time for each class and stay for the entire length of the class. A late
arrival or early departure of more than 15 min may be considered an absence. Cell phones must be set on
either mute or vibrate. No text messaging or photos are permitted. Laptops are permitted in class only for the
purpose of taking notes. If you ignore a request to stop texting or using your phone during class by the
instructor, you will be asked to leave.
Attendance grade is based on 3 missed classes = 4%, 4 missed classes = 3%, 5 missed classes = 2%, 6
missed classes = 0%. Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of class sessions. Attendance at less
than 80% of class sessions may result in failure of this course. A student who misses 2 consecutive classes
will receive a warning email from the instructor. Three or more consecutive absences from regular class
meetings without notifying the instructor will be reported to Enrollment Services, and you will be assigned a
grade of “AF” for Academic Failure or be advised to withdraw from the class. Note: If you miss the first two
weeks of class, you will be reported as a NO SHOW to the administration and dropped from the class.
Missing class does not excuse the late submission of assignments or permit make-up of an exam. Grade
penalties for assignments turned in late will be reviewed in class. Email the instructor pertaining to absences
related for illness, holiday or other reasons.
Participation (10%): Participation in classroom discussions is important to enhance your learning. During such
discussions, it is essential to maintain RESPECT and CONSIDERATION for all, and Students are expected to
follow the SMCC Code of Conduct during all interactions with other students and instructors. Detailed info
about this is found in the student handbook. Participation grade is based on evaluation of participation during
a scheduled in class project (5%) and overall participation (5%). Grading rubrics will be discussed in class.
Assessment of Textbook Reading: This learning component will be met primarily through 10 Quizzes (23%)
about weekly reading from the text and answering questions in the text assigned by the instructor.
Exams: There is a midterm (10%) and a final exam (15%) in class. They are closed book. Each exam will be
cumulative and cover information from the text and in lectures. There are NO make-up exams. If you miss an
exam, you cannot retake it.
Critical Thinking Requirement: Introduction to Psychology has been designated by the college as a critical
thinking course. There are two article analysis writing assignments (12%) to address this learning component.
This assignment must be typed, and completed on time. Specific guidelines and penalties for late work will be
discussed in class.
Information Literacy: Information Literacy is a requirement for this course set by the college. Students in this
course must be able to critically evaluate information and discern credible from non-credible material. This
criteria will be addressed primarily through Writing Assignments, Research Symposium (10%) and Blackboard
Assignment. Details to be discussed in class.
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 (10%) will be utilized
during the semester to address this requirement.
The Global Citizenship competency will be addressed through discussion opportunities and general participatiin
during class sessions.
SMCC Grading Scale
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
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. 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 twelve-week 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.