Metropolitan Community College
COURSE OUTLINE FORM
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Course Title: Introduction to Psychology
Course Prefix & No.:
LEC: LAB:
PSYC 1010
4.5 0
Credit Hours:
4.5
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Students learn a broad overview of the field of psychology's fundamental principles and methods. Topics include
physiological psychology, learning, memory, human growth and development, personality, motivation and emotion,
social psychology, abnormal behavior, and therapeutic approaches.
COURSE PREREQUISITE (S):
None
RATIONALE:
This is the introductory course to the scientific study of psychology and its specializations. This course is recommended
for students who plans to matriculate at a four-year institution.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK (S) and/or MATERIALS:
Title:
What Is Psychology?
Author:
Pastorino
Edition:
2012, 2nd
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
ISBN:
9781285156019
Attached course outline written by: Social Science Faculty
Date: NA
Reviewed/Revised by: Cohen, Moore, Newton, Ociepka, Ramet, Sample, Vaughn, and Bradman
Date: 08/2012
Effective quarter of course outline:
Date: 2012/Winter
Academic Dean:
Date: 09/12
Jane Franklin
Course Objectives, Topical Unit Outlines, and Unit Objectives must be attached to this form.
AAO Revised 3-13-01
Metropolitan Community College
COURSE OUTLINE FORM
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TITLE: Introduction to Psychology
PREFIX/NO: PSYC 1010
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the successful completion of this course students will be able to:
1.
Differentiate between different historical and contemporary theories of psychology; describe the steps involved
with the scientific method; and evaluate the efficacy of various research methods, emphasizing the experimental
design.
2.
Describe the form and function of the human nervous system, and demonstrate understanding of the basic
structure and function of the human brain.
3.
Differentiate between the processes of sensation and perception.
4.
Explain and apply basic principles of learning and memory, and evaluate contemporary theories in these areas.
5.
Demonstrate understanding of how language influences thinking and problem solving, and of the capabilities and
the limitations of intelligence and personality tests.
6.
Assess the bio-psycho-social processes which may influence a person's development and functioning.
7.
Describe the theories and processes associated with motivation and emotion.
8.
Discuss the role of sleep and effects of psychoactive drugs.
9.
Distinguish bio-psycho-social theoretical models of psychological disorders and evaluate etiology,
symptomology, and therapeutic intervention pertaining to these disorders.
10.
Identify and analyze processes of social interaction and influence.
TOPICAL UNIT OUTLINE/UNIT OBJECTIVES:
I.
Introduction to Psychology
A. Research
B. History and theory
II.
Physiological Psychology
A. Biological psychology
B. Sensation and perception
C. Consciousness
III.
Learning and Cognition
A. Learning
B. Memory
C. Intelligence
IV.
Developmental Psychology
A. Infant and child development
B. Adult development
AAO Revised 3-13-01
Metropolitan Community College
COURSE OUTLINE FORM
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V.
Personality
A. Personality assessment
B. Emotion
C. Motivation
VI.
Maladjustment
A. Psychological disorders
B. Therapeutic intervention
VII.
Social Psychology
A. Group influences
__________________________________________________________________________________________
UNIT OBJECTIVES:
I.
II.
Introduction to Psychology
A.
List and explain the goals of psychology.
B.
Identify the steps involved with the scientific method.
C.
Explain and contrast the basic tenants of the following psychological models: psychodynamic, behaviorism,
humanism, social learning and cognitive theory.
D.
E.
Compare and contrast the subject matter of psychology and the other social sciences.
Distinguish between the scientific study of psychology and pseudopsychology.
F.
Review the typical research methods used by psychologists and describe the ethical implications for
conducting such research.
Physiological Psychology
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
III.
Identify the major divisions and functions of the nervous system and the brain.
Describe the interaction between nature and nurture.
Distinguish between sensation and perception.
Review individual and cultural influences on perception.
Differentiate among drug abuse, psychological dependence, and physiological addiction.
Examine the characteristics of several levels of consciousness.
Learning and Cognition
A.
B.
C.
D.
Explain the terminology and the process of classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and social learning.
Identify the models of memory.
Compare and contrast the theories of forgetting.
Describe the major characteristics of language, thinking, and intelligence.
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COURSE OUTLINE FORM
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IV.
Developmental Psychology
A.
B.
V.
Identify and compare the major areas of debate in developmental psychology.
Evaluate and contrast the major theories of development.
Personality
A.
B.
C.
D.
Distinguish between primary motives and psychological motives.
Describe and evaluate the theories of motivation.
Evaluate and contrast the major theories of emotion.
Define and describe the main characteristics of the term “personality”.
VI. Maladjustment
A.
B.
C.
Describe the contemporary views of psychological disorders.
Evaluate the use of the current DSM to diagnose psychological disorders.
Differentiate among the methods and goals of the various forms of bio-psycho-social therapies.
VII. Social Psychology
A.
B.
Identify the factors that affect social behaviors.
Describe the aspects of behavior studied by social psychologists.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS/EVALUATION
Students are required to successfully complete tests and out-of-class assignments as specified by the instructor in the
course syllabus. Evaluation will be based on written work, and appropriate class participation. Upon successful
completion of this course, students will have acquired basic comprehension of the concepts of psychology and will have
developed the ability to apply, analyze, and evaluate certain aspects of the major psychological theories and the issues
inherent in them.
AAO Revised 3-13-01
Metropolitan Community College
COURSE OUTLINE FORM
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INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY – PSYC 1010
COURSE OBJECTIVES
ASSESSMENT MEASURES
1.
Differentiate between different historical and
contemporary theories of psychology; describe the
steps involved with the scientific method; and
evaluate the efficacy of various research methods,
emphasizing the experimental design.
Test (i.e., written, oral, open book, take home, multiple
choice), and/or oral survey/ discussion on last class day, and/or
assignment/paper.
2.
Describe the form and function of the human nervous
system, and demonstrate understanding of the basic
structure and function of the human brain.
Test (i.e., written, oral, open book, take home, multiple
choice), and/or in class diagram assignment, and/or
assignment/paper.
3.
Differentiate between the processes of sensation and
perception.
Test (i.e., written, oral, open book, take home, multiple
choice), and/or discussion (i.e., in class, outside of class, field),
and/or assignment/paper.
4.
Explain and apply basic principles of learning and
memory, and evaluate contemporary theories in these
areas.
Test (i.e., written, oral, open book, take home, multiple
choice), and/or discussion (i.e., in class, outside of class, field),
and/or assignment/paper.
5.
Assess the bio-psycho-social processes which may
influence a person's development and functioning.
Test (i.e., written, oral, open book, take home, multiple
choice), and/or assignment/paper.
6.
Discuss the role of sleep and effects of psychoactive
drugs.
Test (i.e., written, oral, open book, take home, multiple
choice), and/or assignment/paper.
7.
Demonstrate understanding of how language
influences thinking and problem solving, and of the
capabilities and the limitations of intelligence and
personality tests.
Test (i.e., written, oral, open book, take home, multiple
choice), and/or assignment/paper.
8.
Describe the theories and processes associated with
motivation and emotion.
Test (i.e., written, oral, open book, take home, multiple
choice), and/or assignment/paper.
9.
Distinguish bio-psycho-social theoretical models of
psychological disorders and evaluate etiology,
symptomology, and therapeutic intervention
pertaining to these disorders.
Test (i.e., written, oral, open book, take home, multiple
choice), and/or assignment/paper.
10.
Identify and analyze processes of social interaction
and influence.
Test (i.e., written, oral, open book, take home, multiple
choice), and/or assignment/paper.
AAO Revised 3-13-01