WESTERN UNIVERSITY
LONDON
CANADA
Department of Psychology
2014-2015
Psychology 1000 Section 003
Introduction to Psychology
1.0 CALENDAR DESCRIPTION
An introductory survey of the methods and findings of modern scientific psychology. The
following topics will be covered: history and methodology, biological psychology, sensation and
perception, learning and motivation, verbal and cognitive processes, developmental psychology,
social psychology, individual differences (intelligence and personality), and clinical psychology.
Antirequisites: Psychology 1100E, the former Psychology 1200
Antirequisites are courses that overlap sufficiently in content that only one can be taken for
credit. So if you take a course that is an anti-requisite to a course previously taken, you will lose
credit for the earlier course, regardless of the grade achieved in the most recent course.
3 lecture hours, 1.0 course
2.0
COURSE INFORMATION
Instructor:
Dr. Laura Fazakas-DeHoog
Office and Phone Number: 519-472-8430
Office Hours: after class and Wednesdays 6:30 p.m. by appointment
Email: lfazakas@uwo.ca or llfazakas@hotmail.com
Course Coordinator: Dr. Mike Atkinson
Teaching Assistants: TBA
Time and Location of Lectures: Thursdays 7:00-10:00 p.m. in NS 145
COURSE WEBSITE
The course website is located at: https://owl.uwo.ca/portal
Here you will find class information, study suggestions, and lecture notes. The lecture notes are
missing important information that you can acquire throughout the lectures. Please print these
notes off prior to every lecture and bring them to the lecture to minimize note taking.
If you or someone you know is experiencing distress, there are several resources here at Western to
assist you. Please visit: http://www.uwo.ca/uwocom/mentalhealth/ for more information on these
resources and on mental health.
Please contact the course instructor if you require material in an alternate format or if you require any
other arrangements to make this course more accessible to you. You may also wish to contact Services
for Students with Disabilities (SSD) at 519-661-2111 ext 82147 for any specific question regarding an
accommodation.
3.0
TEXTBOOK
Passer, M.W., Smith, R.E., Atkinson, M.L., Mitchell, J. B., & Muir, D.W. (2014). Psychology: Frontiers
and Applications. Fifth Canadian Edition. Toronto: McGraw Hill Ryerson
4.0
COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course is an introductory level survey of the methods and findings of modern scientific psychology.
The goal is to provide students with an overview of various topic domains within the realm of psychology.
As such, students will be exposed to diverse theoretical viewpoints and various methods and procedures
for the scientific investigation of psychological issues. Note: Modern psychology is scientific in nature.
Consequently, we will spend a lot of time discussing science-related topics such as research design,
research findings, neural functioning, sensory mechanisms, etc.
5.0
EVALUATION
October Midterm will consist of 75 multiple choice questions based on both the text
(Chapters 1-4 and Appendix A) and lecture material. The October midterm is worth ………………. 20%
December Exam will consist of 75 multiple choice questions based on both the text
(Chapters 5-8) and lecture material. The December midterm is worth …………………..……………. 20%
March Midterm will consist of about 75 multiple choice questions based on both the text
(Chapters 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13) as well as lecture material. The March midterm is worth ...…….…. 20%
The Final Exam will consist of 100 multiple choice questions based on material from the text
(chapters 14 -17) as well as the lecture material. The Final exam is worth ……..……………….…… 30%
Assignment Component is worth (Details will be posted on OWL) .................................................10%
___________________________________________________________________________
Assignment:
Students are expected to complete (an) assignment(s) worth 10%. Further details, deadlines, and grading
criterion will be covered in lecture and posted on OWL.
___________________________________________________________________________________
REQUIRED RESEARCH COMPONENT
In addition to the exams and the assignment, there is a research participation requirement. Please note
that this is a Department of Psychology requirement and does not add marks to your grade. Failure to
meet the research requirement will result in a loss of 10 points on your final grade.
To fulfil this research requirement, students must either
(i) participate in 6 research studies in the department of Psychology (i.e., obtain 6 full research
credits). Instructions for this research component will be reviewed in the lectures.
OR
(ii) Complete a written one page review of 6 different research articles in the area of
Psychology. Packages of articles and related questions may be obtained from:
Daniella Chirila (SSC 7416) 519-661-2111 (x84690) or from the research participation website.
NOTE: It is also possible to combine participation and article review (e.g., do 5 studies and review 1
article).
ALSO NOTE: a maximum of 2 of the research credits may be earned through online research studies.
Although the Psychology Department does not require instructors to adjust their course grades to
conform to specific targets, the expectation is that course marks will be distributed around the following
averages:
70% 1000-level and 2000-level courses
72% 2100-2990-level courses
75% 3000-level courses
80% 4000-level courses
The Psychology Department follows the University of Western Ontario grading guidelines, which are as
follows (see http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/general/grades_undergrad.pdf).
A+
A
B
C
D
F
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
50-59
below 50
One could scarcely expect better from a student at this level
Superior work that is clearly above average
Good work, meeting all requirements, and eminently satisfactory
Competent work, meeting requirements
Fair work, minimally acceptable
Fail
POLICY ON MAKEUP EXAMS
Students are entitled to a rescheduling of exams or an extension of deadlines for legitimate medical or
compassionate grounds. However, it is the student's responsibility to inform the instructor prior to the
due date, to arrange a timely makeup, and, if requested, to provide acceptable documentation to support
a medical or compassionate claim.
In the case of a final examination or assignment in the course, the student must arrange for a Special
Examination or Incomplete through their Dean's office, for which you will be required to provide
acceptable documentation.
If you feel that you have a medical or personal problem that is interfering with your work, you should
contact your instructor and the Faculty Academic Counselling Office as soon as possible. Problems may
then be documented and possible arrangements to assist you can be discussed at the time of the
occurrence rather than on a retroactive basis. In general, retroactive requests for grade revisions on
medical or compassionate grounds will not be considered.
In order to write a make up for a midterm exam you must contact me. I will request that official
documentation be brought in. No one will be allowed to write a make-up unless they have first cleared it
through me. If you miss a term test or exam due to an illness, you will have to abide by the university’s
policy on accommodation for medical illness, found at:
http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/handbook/appeals/accommodation_medical.pdf.
Failure to contact Dr. Laura Fazakas-deHoog within one week of a missed exam will result in a score of
zero on the missed test or exam. Any request to write the make-up must be supported by written
documentation outlining the reasons for your absence. NOTE. In fairness to all students in Psych 1000,
we cannot give special consideration to personal commitments (e.g., work-related trips, vacation flight
bookings, etc.) which conflict with scheduled tests and exams. Note as well that it is your responsibility to
check and confirm the examination timetable as set by the Registrar.
For each test or exam, there will be one and only one formally scheduled make-up. Typically, the makeup will be offered within 7 days of the original test or exam date. The format for the make-up will be
multiple choice or a combination of multiple choice and short answer questions.
6.0
TEST AND EXAMINATION SCHEDULE
OCTOBER EXAM
Saturday October 18 from 9-11 a.m.
DECEMBER EXAM
During December examination period in December- TBA
MARCH MIDTERM
Saturday March 7 from 3-5 p.m.
FINAL EXAM
During the final examination period in April - TBA
7.0
LECTURE SCHEDULE
LECTURE
CHAPTER
TOPIC
Thursday Sept. 04
Thursday Sept. 11
Thursday Sept. 18
Thursday Sept. 25
Thursday Oct. 02
Thursday Oct. 09
Thursday Oct. 16
1
2/Appendix
3
3
4
5
5
Introduction/History of Psychology
Methodology/Data Analysis/Statistics
Brain/Nervous System/Neurophysiology
Brain/Nervous System/Neurophysiology
Genetics & Evolution
Sensation/Perception
Sensation/Perception
SATURDAY OCTOBER 18
OCTOBER EXAM
Thursday Oct. 23
6
Consciousness
Thursday Oct. 31
-
NO CLASS (READING PERIOD)
Thursday Nov.
Thursday Nov.
Thursday Nov.
Thursday Nov.
6/7
7
8
8
Drugs and Consciousness/Learning
Learning
Memory
Memory
06
13
20
27
TBA
DECEMBER EXAM
Thursday Jan. 08
Thursday Jan. 15
Thursday Jan. 22
Thursday Jan. 29
Thursday Feb. 05
Thursday Feb. 12
9
10
11
12
12
13
Thursday Feb. 19
-
Thursday Feb. 26
Thursday Mar. 05
13
14
Language & Thinking
Intelligence
Motivation & Emotion
Development (Prenatal/child Development)
Development (Adolesecence/Adulthood)
Behavior in a Social Context
NO CLASS (READING WEEK)
Behavior in a Social Context
Personality
SATURDAY MARCH 07
Thursday Mar. 12
Thursday Mar. 19
Thursday Mar. 26
Thursday Apr. 02
FINAL EXAM
MARCH EXAM
16
16
17
17/15
Psychological Disorders
Psychological Disorders
Psychological Treatment
Psychological Treatment/Stress Health Coping
(Date TBA)
____________________________________________________________________________________
LEARNING INFORMATION EFFICIENTLY
You will be expected to know the assigned chapters VERY WELL!
Many of the multiple-choice questions in this course are based on material from the chapters that is not
explicitly covered in lecture. To be able to answer these questions correctly you will need to know and
understand each of the concepts and processes described in the assigned chapters. This a major
learning task and many students run into difficulties because they do not know how to handle this learning
task efficiently.
Just reading the assigned chapters is NOT enough!
For most people the process of reading something, or even re-reading it, does not mean that they
remember it. This is especially true for "heavy" course content such as that found in the psychology text.
If you wish to learn the material from the text efficiently, you will need to approach it in a different manner.
Learn the text chapters using ACTIVE reading/learning strategies.
Strategies recommended for efficient learning of text material can be divided into three types: prereading, reading for comprehension, and post-reading.
a. Pre-reading. Learn the headings and subheadings.
Instead of diving immediately into reading the chapter, spend a few minutes learning the headings and
subheadings. The headings and subheadings tell you the important ideas that will be covered in the
chapter. In the text they are laid out for you on the first few pages of the book in the table of contents.
Look at these headings and subheadings, think how they have been ordered, try reciting them from
memory, and then write them out on a separate sheet of paper.
b. Reading for comprehension. Read a few pages and THEN summarize.
Don't try to read most of the chapter in one sitting. It is much easier to learn the material in small chunks.
Read a few pages carefully and THEN make a summary of the important points. Continue doing this until
you have summarized about 10 pages - then take a break. You can summarize by highlighting sparingly
AND making marginal notes, or by making separate written notes.
Note that much of the information in psychology comes in the form of arguments. Here are some the
important kinds of information that are crucial to knowing and understanding an argument: i) definitions of
new terms, ii) essential explanations of the specific argument, iii) examples, iv) results of studies.
If you make separate summary notes, try using point form and keywords. This has 2 advantages: the
notes are made more quickly and they are easier to read. As you record key terms and definitions
ALWAYS relate them to the arguments of which they are a part.
c. Post-reading. Test yourself.
After actively reading 10 or more pages in the manner described above, try reciting (i.e., recalling from
memory) all the important points under each heading and subheading that you have studied. This will
reinforce the ideas you know and identify those that you need to review. Doing the study guide questions
and relevant old exam questions after you have finished the entire chapter can also be very helpful.
8.0
STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC OFFENCES
Students are responsible for understanding the nature and avoiding the occurrence of plagiarism and
other scholastic offenses. Plagiarism and cheating are considered very serious offenses because they
undermine the integrity of research and education. Actions constituting a scholastic offense are
described at the following link:
http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/appealsundergrad.pdf
As of Sept. 1, 2009, the Department of Psychology will take the following steps to detect scholastic
offenses. All multiple-choice tests and exams will be checked for similarities in the pattern of responses
using reliable software, and records will be made of student seating locations in all tests and exams. All
written assignments will be submitted to TurnItIn, a service designed to detect and deter plagiarism by
comparing written material to over 5 billion pages of content located on the Internet or in TurnItIn’s
databases. All papers submitted for such checking will be included as source documents in the reference
database for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of papers subsequently submitted to the system. Use of
the service is subject to the licensing agreement, currently between The University of Western Ontario
and Turnitin.com (http://www.turnitin.com).
Possible penalties for a scholastic offense include failure of the assignment, failure of the course,
suspension from the University, and expulsion from the University.
9.0
OTHER INFORMATION
Office of the Registrar web site: http://registrar.uwo.ca
Student Development Services web site: http://www.sdc.uwo.ca
Please see the Psychology Undergraduate web site for information on the following:
http://psychology.uwo.ca/undergradresponsibilities.htm
- Policy on Cheating and Academic Misconduct
- Procedures for Appealing Academic Evaluations
- Policy on Attendance
- Policy Regarding Makeup Exams and Extensions of Deadlines
- Policy for Assignments
- Short Absences
- Extended Absences
- Documentation
- Academic Concerns
- 2014 Calendar References
No electronic devices, including cell phones, will be allowed during exams.