Psychology 150A Section 001:
Structure of Mind & Behavior
Fall Semester 2011
Instructor: Julie Feldman, Ph.D.
Office: Psychology Building 444
Phone: 626-9682
Office Hours: Tuesdays 3:30-5:30pm or by appointment
Email: julief@u.arizona.edu
D2L course web site: http://d2l.arizona.edu
Graduate Teaching Assistants:
TA
picture
Office Location &
Office Hours
TA grading
papers with
last names:
Email
A-E
zjhohman@email.arizona.edu
F-Ke
smjwa@email.arizona.edu
Psychology 123
Zachary Hohman
Thursdays
10-12
Psych 133
Soo Min Jwa
Tuesdays
2-4
Psych 409
Anya Kogan
Fridays
Ki-Mc
apovzner@email.arizona.edu
Me-Sa
shikark@email.arizona.edu
Sc-Th
emimack@email.arizona.edu
10-11
Psych 157
Shikhar Kumar
Mon & Wed
2:30-3:30
Psych 527
Emily Mackelprang
Tuesdays
8-9
Psych 127
Janelle Wohltmann
Wednesdays
9-10
Ti-Z
jjw@email.arizona.edu
Messages: Written messages can be placed in our mailboxes on the third floor of the psychology
building (room 312) or sent via Email.
Lectures: Tuesday and Thursday, 12:30-1:45, Social Sciences 100
Course Overview: I have four goals for this course. First, by the time you have completed this
class, I want you to understand what psychology truly is, including all of the different areas that
psychologists study. Although some of you may have a sense of what psychology is all about, many
people think that all psychologists do is "help people" either through therapy or counseling. While it
is true that therapy and counseling are part of psychology, they represent just the tip of the iceberg.
Different types of psychologists study many different things, and my guess is that you will be
surprised at some of the topics that fall under the heading of "psychology." Second, I want you to
understand that psychology is a research science, and to realize that research psychologists test their
assumptions using the scientific method (i.e., generating predictions, collecting data, and then
seeing if the data supports or refutes the hypothesis). I hope to dispel some of the myths you might
have about human behavior and to understand why psychology is more than "common sense."
Third, although this class will be fast-paced, I do want it to be fun, enjoyable, and thoughtprovoking and I want us to have interesting conversations. Above all, I hope to get you to think
about what you’re reading and learning. Finally, I hope that you will find some part of this course
relevant to your own lives. Although I can't promise that you'll gain any great insights, you will
hopefully be armed with more knowledge about psychology than when you started.
Class will cover the high points of the chapters, and will provide information beyond the content of
the text. I will not go over all of the chapter contents. You will be responsible on tests for things
covered in the text even if they are not mentioned in class. So please do the reading. I recognize the
fact that you all have lives outside of this class, and have geared the assignments to what I hope is a
reasonable, if slightly challenging level. If for some reason you have a problem, please come and
talk to me. I am willing to work with you ahead of time to avoid problems before they occur;
however, there tend to be fewer options available afterwards.
Required Text:
Rathus, S. A. (2011). PSYCH. 2nd Edition, Wadsworth.
Each chapter includes a detachable card for convenient, quick review and class preparation.
Student cards include key terms, definitions, learning objectives, and section summaries. Students
can access downloadable flashcards at the textbook companion web site:
http://login.cengagebrain.com (use the CourseMate access code that accompanied your text to
access these interactive resources). This is a very nice web site that includes many study aids (e.g.,
chapter overviews, build-a-summary activities, quizzing, weblinks, glossary and a variety of study
games) which can help you gauge how well you understand the material. I highly encourage you to
take advantage of this free site.
D2l course web site: You can access the web site for the course at d2l.arizona.edu. Visit often.
This will have the most up-to-date information about the course at all times. The web site contains
an online version of this syllabus that will be updated should topics or readings be changed. It will
also:
 Serve as the means for you to turn in your papers; your papers must be turned in via the web
site; no paper copies will be accepted
 Provide up-to-date grade information & announcements
 Allow you to track your attendance points
 Post slides covered in lecture (not a substitute for lectures, but very useful to print in advance of
lecture so that you do not need to write so much)
 Provide a link to the textbook web site, which contains several tools that will aid your studying
 Provide a link to the clicker registration site
 Post study tips and study guides for exams
 Post additional information about the research participation requirement
 Provide a checklist to track course requirements and due dates
Course Requirements:
1. Exams (220 points) – There will be four exams: three during the semester (September 27,
October 25 & November 17) and one during the scheduled Final Exam period (December 13
from 10:30-12:30). Exams will cover class lectures and required reading. All exams during the
semester will consist of 30 multiple choice questions and will be worth 60 points. The final
exam will be cumulative (with an emphasis on the most recently covered material) and will
consist of 50 multiple choice questions worth 100 points. The exam on which you score lowest
during the semester will not be counted towards your final grade. If you miss an exam during
the semester, it will be treated as your lowest exam score. You must take the final exam, and it
may not be dropped as your lowest exam.
In order to do well on the tests, you should keep current on the readings and attend class. It is
very easy to get behind on the readings; strive to have the readings completed prior to the class
period for which they are assigned. I must also caution you against a strategy that I have been
known to use all too often: procrastination. I find that reading an entire chapter in a single
sitting can be rather overwhelming. You would be best advised to read fewer pages more often.
“Cramming” is an especially poor strategy for mastering the material you will need to know for
the exams. Exam review sessions will be conducted by a TA outside of class.
Appeal Procedure: If your answer to an exam question is marked incorrect, but you feel that it
is correct, then you may write an appeal based on why you think your answer is correct. Please
base your appeals on course material. Appeals need to be turned in within 1 week after the
exam scores are posted. I will review your appeal, and if I think it justifies your answer, you
will receive credit. If not, I’ll explain why.
2. Assignments (60 points)
To receive full credit, assignments MUST be
turned in on or before the due date at the d2l web site “dropbox” on the blue navigation bar
(except for the syllabus quiz – see instructions below). Assignments turned in after 11:59pm on
that day will lose 10% per day. No paper copies will be accepted. No emailed papers will be
accepted. NO .pages files will be accepted.

Syllabus Quiz (5 points) Due September 1 – you will need to download and print the
course syllabus to complete this assignment. To do this, go to d2l.arizona.edu, select
“Content” from the blue navigation bar, and select “Course syllabus” under “Course
information.” Print the syllabus, read it carefully, and use it to answer the quiz questions.
When you are ready to take the quiz, select “Quizzes” on the blue navigation bar, then select
“Syllabus Quiz” followed by “Start Quiz.” You have one hour to complete the quiz (there
are 5 multiple-choice questions on the quiz worth 1 point each).

Small projects: During this course you will complete 2 small projects (15 points each). The
two projects will essentially be activities accompanied by a short paper. The papers will all
be just 2 pages long (1” margins, double-spaced, 12-point font, with name and title of the
assignment at the top). Because the papers are so short, they will be graded on clarity and
succinctness. Keep in mind that it is often more difficult to fill up 2 really good pages than
10 pages of rambling.
o Project #1: Personality Test (Due September 13) Find a personality test in a
magazine (e.g., Cosmopolitan, GQ) or on a web site (e.g., search for “personality
test”). This test could be a “serious” test or a “funny” test. Take the test and address
the following issues in your paper:
 What aspect of personality is the test addressing?
 How does it relate to something covered in the course?
 Is it a credible test? Does it measure what it claims to? Explain your answer.
 What are the test’s faults? Its strengths?
 Copy and paste the personality test at the end of your paper (you may have to
type in the questions if you can’t copy it from the web site). You do NOT
have to include your responses or results of the test.
o Project #2: Break a Social Norm (November 8) In our complex society, there are
many social norms (e.g., don’t chew with your mouth open, hold the door for others,
face the front of the elevator). Some norms are explicit, while others are not. For
this project your assignment is to break a social norm. Important: YOU CANNOT
CAUSE INJURY TO ANYONE OR BREAK THE LAW!! (For example, if you
plan to invade someone’s personal space, do not do it in a dark parking garage.)
However, find a norm and break it. Write about your experience:
 Page 1 should be a detailed description of your motivation.
What norm did you pick?
Why did you pick it?
How did you learn about it?


Page 2 should be a description of your experience in breaking the norm.
What happened?
What were people’s reactions?
What was your reaction?
How did you feel? How do you imagine others felt?
Written Assignment (25 points) – Review a pop-psychology book (Due December 1)
One goal of this course is to help you to become more critical consumers of how psychology
is depicted in popular books, magazines, and newspaper articles. Some of these writings are
excellent summaries of psychology today, while others have little to do with anything that
has been discovered through psychological research. Your task is to select a BOOK on a
psychological topic that has been written for the general public (NOT for an academic
audience). The university library is generally NOT a good source for a pop-psychology
book. A suitable book can be found in the psychology section of most bookstores (e.g., selfhelp books like “How to boost your self-esteem in 5½ days” or books about psychological
disorders like “ADHD in adults”). Just browse these sections for a while until you find a
book that looks interesting. Be sure to use a book published AFTER 1980, and DON’T use
a MEMOIR, BIOGRAPHY, or a NOVEL. Then, read your book and write a review of it.
Your review should include:
A summary of the main thesis of the book.
An assessment of whether the thesis is supported or contradicted by research we
covered in the course.
Is this book based in psychological science? (For example, is there any research
cited supporting claims made in the book?) Explain your answer.
Do you think this book can be helpful to people? If so, in what way? If not, explain
why not.
Your paper should be 4-5 pages (1” margins, double-spaced, 12-point font, Times New
Roman). Provide citations in the paper to all sources and an “APA Style” reference list at
the end (examples are posted on the d2l web site). Generally, better grades on this
assignment are given to students who go beyond the assigned readings for this course and
find at least one or two empirical papers on the topic that have been published in
psychological journals.
3. Attendance: Your attendance will be tracked using the clickers beginning August 30 (except
on exam days). There are 25 class sessions remaining (including August 30). It is expected that
you will attend at least 80% (20) of the remaining class lecture sessions, and you will receive 20
points (about 7% of your grade) for doing so. Students attending more than 50% but less than
80% (between 13 and 19) of the sessions will receive 10 points. Students attending less than
50% (12 or fewer) of the sessions will receive zero points. So you need to miss no more than 5
class lecture sessions to get full attendance credit (20 points). If you miss two or fewer of the
class sessions, you will receive 10 extra credit points. Attendance is counted on a given day
only if you answer questions with your clicker throughout the lecture.
Grading: Points toward the final grade will be counted as follows:
2/3 exams (lowest dropped), 60 points each
Final
Assignments
Attendance
Extra Credit
120 points
100 points
60 points
20 points
(10 points)
300 points total
Course grades will be based on total points earned at the end of the semester out of a possible 300
points. Grading will be based on percentages with guarantees. You must earn at least 180 points to
pass (60% and a grade of D). 210 points (70%) or better guarantees a C. 240 points (80%) or better
guarantees a B. 270 points (90%) or better guarantees an A. Grades for these point totals may be
higher but will not be lower.
A Final Note on Grading: Grades in this course will be based solely on the system discussed
above. There won’t be any possibility of doing “extra” reports, papers etc., to raise your grade. If
you have trouble with the course material or aren’t doing as well on the exams as you think you
should be, then be sure to seek help right away. I will make sure that I and all TAs devote
tremendous energy to those students who plan ahead and use office hours for clarifying concepts
and help with developing effective study habits, so please take advantage of this excellent
opportunity.
Participation & Clickers: In this class we will use remote transmitters to answer questions
during lectures. You need to purchase a TurningPoint clicker from the bookstore (a rebate for the
clicker is included with the purchase of the textbook) and bring it to class every day (except exam
days). Attendance is counted on a given day only if you answer questions with your clicker
throughout the lecture.
You must register your clicker at student.turningtechnologies.com. Use your NetID when it asks for
“other info.” Your NetID is the part of your email address before the @email.arizona.edu
part. Use of a clicker registered to another student is considered a violation of the Student Code of
Conduct. All responses collected during class are being permanently recorded beginning August
30. If you register your clicker after August 30, you will receive full back-credit for all responses
collected. From this date forward, you will be asked several questions (3-7) throughout each class
(except on exam days). Using your clicker will give you immediate feedback about your
understanding of the material we are covering in class and will help guide your studying.
Course Policies:
•
Attendance and Participation: Class attendance has routinely been shown to be one of the
best predictors of final grades, with students who attend frequently doing much better on the
exams. Please be on time for class. Recurrent lateness disrupts the class and the flow of
discussion. If you need to leave early, please sit in the back. Please do not talk or whisper to
your neighbor – consider writing short notes. Thank you for you cooperation.
•
If you miss a class you are responsible for any material covered, announcements made, or
assignments given. Feel free to ask questions and make comments during class. Your
participation is helpful to the class and can provide me with feedback about how well I am
communicating with you.
•
Cell phones: Please turn off cell phones or other electronic devices that make sounds at the
beginning of class.
•
Plagiarism and cheating: I understand that there can be pressure for some students to cheat
on exams or to plagiarize on their papers. The University of Arizona places a high value upon
the integrity of its students. Any student found guilty of an act of academic misconduct
(including, but not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, or using another student’s clicker because
they are absent) may be subject to having his or her grade reduced in the course, being placed
on probation or suspended from the university, or being expelled from the university – or a
combination of these (please see the academic code of integrity and the student code of
conduct; http://dos.web.arizona.edu/uapolicies)
Plagiarism is taking quotes from the material you read or any other material (e.g., web site)
without identifying the source. Key points: quote and cite others’ work and write original
prose. All papers submitted to d2l are automatically checked for plagiarism. Cheating
includes copying someone else’s exam answers or using notes during an exam. If you are
unsure of whether something would constitute cheating or plagiarism, please ask the instructor
or a TA. I assume all of you are bright students so do not jeopardize your academic careers.
Students with special needs: Students requiring special accommodations for note-taking or
testing should see the instructor at the beginning of the course or any time the need arises.
Best wishes for an excellent semester!
(see below for course outline/schedule & information about research requirement)
Tentative Course Outline and Guidelines for Required Reading:
Reading assignments are closely tied to the lecture schedule and should be completed before the
class on the date listed.
Date
8/23
8/25
Topic Schedule
Introduction to psychology
SURVEY
Readings & Assignments
8/30
9/1
Intro to Clicker & booksite & begin Personality
Personality Theories
Chapter 10
Syllabus quiz due
9/6
9/8
Personality Assessment
Psychological disorders
Chapter 12
9/13
9/15
Psychological disorders
Disorders/Therapies
Project #1 due
Chapter 13
9/20
9/22
Therapies
Therapies cont.
9/27
9/29
EXAM #1
Psychological science
Chapters 10,12,13
Chapter 1
10/4
10/6
Psychological science
Biology & Behavior
Chapter 2
10/11
10/13
Biology & Behavior
Sensation & Perception
Chapter 4
10/18
10/20
Sensation & Perception
Sensation & Perception
10/25
10/27
EXAM #2
Social Psychology
Chapters 1, 2, 4
Chapter 14
11/1
11/3
Social Psychology
Learning
Chapter 6
11/8
11/10
Learning
Memory
Project #2 due
Chapter 7
11/15
11/17
Memory
EXAM #3
Chapters 14, 6, 7
11/22
11/24
GUEST LECTURE
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
11/29
12/1
Child & adolescent development
Child & adolescent development
12/6
Development & wrap up
12/13
FINAL EXAM: 10:30-12:30
Chapter 3
WRITING ASSIGNMENT DUE
Chapters 1-4, 6, 7, 10,11-14
Departmental research participation requirement
(A more detailed description of the Research Participation Requirement is available at D2L)
Participating in experiments: The research participation requirement is meant to provide students with an
opportunity to experience psychological research firsthand and to benefit from the ongoing research within
our department. Most students enrolled in PSYC 150 fulfill this requirement by spending 6 hours
participating as subjects in ongoing research projects. This is a departmental requirement; failure to complete
the full 12 experimental credits will automatically result in a grade of "I" (incomplete). To remove the
"incomplete" students will need to complete the experimental credits during the following semester &
EMAIL me to let me know. The incomplete will turn into a failing grade (E) at the end of one year.
http://experiments.psychology.arizona.edu
How do I sign up for an experiment?
1. First step is to create an account
Go to http://experiments.psychology.arizona.edu
Click on the link that reads: Request an account here
Complete the form using your University email user name (NetID)
(The part of your email address before the @email.arizona.edu part)
Once you request your account – your password will be mailed to you at your University email account
2. The second step is to log onto the account you created using the password emailed to you
3. You can use this account to sign up for experiments, find out information about experiments and
experimenters, and check your credits earned
What happens if I do not show up for an experiment? Failure to show up for an experiment that you have
signed up for will result in the deduction of credits from your total. You will be deducted the number of credits the
experiment was worth. If this happens, you will need to make up the missed credits. If you contact the
experiment leader at least one hour prior to the experiment and provide a reasonable excuse for your absence,
credit will not be deducted. If you cannot notify the experimenter before the experiment, you have
48 hours to email an excuse to the experimenter.
How do I cancel an appointment?
1. You can cancel participation up to 2 hours before the scheduled time by using the web site.
2. You can cancel participation up to 1 hour before the scheduled time by phoning the experimenter or
by phoning 621-7448, or by emailing the experimenter.
What happens if I show up on time but there is no experimenter? If you show up for an experiment on time
and it is canceled without warning, you are entitled to one credit for having shown up. In this instance, send an
email to the experimenter or contact the Psychology Department Office, Room 312 in the Psychology Building.
How can I find the Psychology Building? The Psychology Building is located across the mall from the
Main Library.
Not participating in experiments: Very few students prefer to meet this requirement by writing a "journal article
review" paper (3-5 pages in length). If you choose to write the journal article paper, rather than participate in research
studies, you will need to submit a copy of the article you intend to discuss and an outline of your journal article
review paper by the date of the second exam – OCTOBER 25.