Rhode Island College
Department of Psychology
Psychology 110 - Introduction to Psychology
Thomas E. Malloy Ph.D.
Office: Horace Mann 068
E-Mail: tmalloy@ric.edu
Nature of the Course: This course will introduce students to theory and research in scientific
psychology. Emphasis will be placed upon the most important scientific findings in some,
though not all, of the sub-disciplines of the field.
Required Text: David G. Myers (2005) Exploring Psychology. Worth Publishing. The book is
available at the Rhode Island College bookstore.
Topics of the Course:
Week
Topic and Reading
1
Thinking Critically With
Psychological Science
Myers Chapter 1
2
Neuroscience and Behavior
Myers Chapter 2
pp. 37-46
3
Neuroscience and Behavior
Myers Chapter 2
pp. 46-59
4
Sensation and Perception
Myers Chapter 5
5
Nature and Nurture
Myers Chapter 3
6
Human Development
Myers Chapter 4
99-129
7
8
9
Learning - I
Classical and Operant Learning
Myers Chapter 7
pp. 225-247
Learning - II
Myers Chapter 7
Rotter and Bandura's Social Learning
pp. 248-249 and material only
from the lecture
Memory and Information Processing
Myers Chapter 8
10
Thinking and Intelligence
Myers Chapter 9
pp. 293-302 and 315-336
11
Personality
Myers Chapter 12
12
Social Behavior
Myers Chapter 15
13
Culture and Behavior
Lecture Only
14
Summary and Integration
Lecture Only
Course Requirements
Attendance: Students are encouraged to attend class regularly. Research shows that class
attendance is associated with higher grades on exams and grades in college courses.
Exams: There will be three exams in the course. All exams will be objective with a multiple
choice format. Please bring a Number 2 pencil to all exams because responses will be made on
answer sheets that will be computer scored. Exams must be taken at the scheduled time. In the
case of serious illness or an event that precludes taking an exam at the scheduled time, the
student must notify the professor prior to the administration of the exam to get approval to miss
the exam. If an exam is missed without prior approval, the exam will not be administered and a
grade of zero will be recorded.
Exam 1 will cover the material from weeks 1 through 5, exam 2 will cover material from weeks
6 through 8, and exam 3 will cover material from weeks 9 and 14. The professor will announce
the exact dates for exams in class and reserves the option of adjusting the material for or time of
an exam if warranted.
Opportunities for Research Participation
There may be opportunities for students to participate in psychological research being conducted
at Rhode Island College or elsewhere. If such opportunities become available I will announce
them to the class. Participation in research offers an excellent opportunity to see directly how
psychologists conduct scientific investigations.
Grades:
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
090606
1/3 of final grade
1/3 of final grade
1/3 of final grade