PSYCHOLOGY 110: GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY
WINTER 2007
M-F 10:00AM– 10:50AM
Location: CC 3357
Instructor: Melissa Grinley
Office: IB 2422A
Office Phone: (206) 526-7017
Email: mgrinley@sccd.ctc.edu
Office Hours: M-Th 12-1, T&Th 3:30-5 and by appointment
Required Texts (available at bookstore):
Ciccarelli, S. K., & Meyer, G. E. (2006). Psychology. New
Jersey: Pearson/Prentice Hall.
Sayre, G. & Grinley, M. (2006). Finding Meaning through the
Method (supplement). Pearson/Prentice Hall.
“Education is the acquisition of the art of the utilization of knowledge.”
-A. N. Whitehead
Course Description:
Introduction to the scientific study of human behavior, including learning and thinking,
development, perception, motivation, emotion, personality and individual differences, social and
abnormal behavior, and research methods.
Course Goals:
Psychology is the study of human beings, their mental processes and behavior. The field is a
fascinating one because it is personal: it is a study of ourselves, of relationships, of culture and
everything in between. Yet learning about psychology, the science of our mental activity and
behavior, and experiencing psychology in the real world are two different things. I hope in this
course to help you ‘acquire the art of the utilization of knowledge’ of psychology by guiding your
achievement toward the following goals:
1. Acquisition of Knowledge: By learning about psychology in this course, you will
 Understand the difference between psychology and “pop” psychology
 Challenge your beliefs about how and why people think, feel and behave the way they do
 Learn the varied approaches to psychology and the important theories and psychological
principles within each approach
 Be encouraged to take an active part in your own learning by keeping up with the
readings and bringing your own experience and knowledge to class, asking questions and
taking part in class discussions
2. Expansion of Skills: This class aims to increase your skills in
 Critical thinking: Pop psychology is everywhere, and as consumers you are exposed to
‘psychological truths’ all the time. However, the field of psychology is a science, and
uses evidence to support its claims. Through learning its methods, you will gain skills in
critical thinking and evaluation, vital to the examination of any theory or finding.
 Writing: there are several written assignments in this course which will challenge you to
express your ideas clearly and in an organized way. You will receive feedback on how to
improve your writing.
3. Recognition of Psychology in the Real World: Psychology is the study of humans. This
means you, the people around you, the community you live in, and the culture you come from. In
this course I hope to
 Encourage exploration of our diversity and provide mutual respect as well as empathetic
speaking and listening in class.
 Help you to become a better observer of yourself and the world around you, and create a
compassion and empathy in further understanding your fellow humans.
 Enable your own recognition of psychological principles in your everyday life.
This course addresses the following NSCC General Education Learning Outcomes:
 Think critically in reading and writing
 Communicate creative and critical ideas in writing
 Understand the individual and his/her relationship to community
Course Content and Format:
Classes will consist of some lecture, films, discussions, and activities. Because of the vast
amount of information in this dynamic field, we will be moving very quickly through a lot of
material. You are expected to have done the readings before the class they are required for, so
that you may be an active participant in class discussion and activities. The text has quiz
questions throughout the chapters and tests at the end of each chapter that I highly recommend
you make use of. There is also a helpful website that accompanies the text at
http://wps.prenhall.com/hss_ciccarelli_psychology_1 which contains further quizzes and study
aids. Expect to spend at least 4-6 hours a week on reading assignments and study quizzes
alone. Some material covered in the textbook will be covered in lecture, since there are certain
concepts, terms, and theories that are central to understanding the field of psychology. However,
the amount of overlap between class material and the textbook will vary depending on the topic.
The lectures are not designed to repeat the same material from the book. Some lectures elaborate
on and provide examples of material in the book, and other lectures will include new material not
available in the text. Therefore it is very important for you to attend class every day and on time.
Grading:
Exams: There will be four exams given over the course of the quarter covering information
received only since the last exam (not cumulative). Exams will be worth 40 points each, and will
include a combination of multiple-choice, matching, modified true-false questions, and short
answer questions, covering material presented in class and the assigned reading. There are no
make-up exams. If you miss an exam for a legitimate reason, you may (upon request) be given
an extra credit assignment as an alternative. There will be an optional final exam which will be
cumulative, all multiple-choice, and can be taken to replace your lowest exam grade. The final
exam is not optional in lieu of one of the exams, it is only useful in dropping your lowest exam
grade. This means if you miss an exam, you will receive a 0 and your final will replace the
lowest exam score of the exams you did take.
Appeals: If you feel your answer to an exam question is correct even though it was
marked incorrect, you may appeal to me in writing within one week of receiving your
exam grade. In your appeal, state why you think your answer is correct. It is best to back
up this argument with sources of information. Note that appeals should be based on the
contents of the book or lecture (or possibly a legitimate outside source), and not on your
personal opinion. You may or may not receive credit for an appeal depending on your
justification.
Assignments: In addition to exams, your grade will also be based on 4 assignments that will be
distributed throughout the quarter. Most assignments will consist of an out-of-class activity as
well as a written component, and are meant to enhance your active learning of course material.
All assignments must be typed and turned in during class on the day they are due (assignments
turned in after class will be considered late). I do not accept assignments over email.
-Critical Thinking assignment (due 1/10) = worth 10 points
-Behaviorism assignment (due 2/5) = worth 20 points
-Deviation from Norms assignment (due 2/20) = worth 30 points
-Mental Disorders in Film assignment (due 3/12) = worth 40 points
Late Assignment Policy: Assignments turned in late will be marked down 10% for
every day they are late (including non-class days).
Participation: Due to the nature of the class material, class participation is an important aspect of
the learning process and is part of your grade. This includes coming to class every day on time,
paying attention in class, and participating in class activities and discussions, as well as keeping
up with the readings. Because to a certain degree, participation is subjective, you will be asked to
assess your own class participation at exams.
Grade Assessment: To assess performance in this course, I will be utilizing a point system as
follows:
Exams (4) @ 40 points each = 160 points
Assignments = 100 points
Participation = 40 points
Total Points Possible = 300
Final grades will be assessed by the following point totals:
Total Points Received and Corresponding Grade:
285-300
4.0
254-256
3.0
224-226
2.0
194-196
1.0
280-284
3.9
251-253
2.9
221-223
1.9
191-193
0.9
277-279
3.8
248-250
2.8
218-220
1.8
186-190
0.8
274-276
3.7
245-247
2.7
215-217
1.7
180-185
0.7
272-273
3.6
242-244
2.6
212-214
1.6
0-179
0.0
269-271
3.5
239-241
2.5
209-211
1.5
266-268
3.4
236-238
2.4
206-208
1.4
263-265
3.3
233-235
2.3
203-205
1.3
260-262
3.2
230-232
2.2
200-202
1.2
257-259
3.1
227-229
2.1
197-199
1.1
You are responsible for keeping track of how you are doing in the course. I recommend
you keep a running total of your points as the quarter progresses.
Assignments
Points
Overall Grade
Critical Thinking (10)
Exam 1 (40)
Learning Assignment (20)
Exam 2 (40)
Deviation from Norms (30)
Exam 3 (40)
Disorders in Film (40)
Exam 4 (40)
Total (100)
Participation (40)
Points
Assignments (100)
Total (300)
Plagiarism and Cheating
Though I dislike having to give this section its own heading, I have learned from the past that it is
important to address the issue of academic dishonesty. The Seattle Community College District
takes its Academic Honesty Code very seriously and so do I. If a student is found cheating on an
exam or using other’s work without proper citation in an assignment, a zero will be given and
further disciplinary action may be taken (per Washington Administrative Code 132F-121-120).
Cell Phones (and other sundries)…
should be turned off (even ‘vibrate’ mode is distracting) before class begins, and should not be
turned on again until class ends. Please be courteous to your fellow students by making sure that
anything that might ‘go off’ or make noise is turned off so that there are no disruptions.
A Note About Attendance
Due to the amount of material in the class and the short length of class time, it is important that
you come to class every day on time. The class will start on time every day, and if you are tardy
you may miss important information. If you must miss class, please notify me by phone or email
that you will be absent. If you miss class more than 2 days for unexplained reasons, you will be
requested to meet with me to discuss your progress in the course.
Study Skills/Resources:
This course covers a great deal of information, both from class material and the lectures. If you
need assistance, you have the following resources at your disposal:
Class Blog: There is a blog for this course. The URL is: http://grinley110.blogspot.com/ The
blog contains this syllabus, which you can download if you lose this copy. Also, I will post any
PowerPoint slides presented in class lectures that you may download before class to cut down on
note-writing time. The site also contains links to important websites you might need to access
(e.g. the Library, the Loft) and current headlines in psychology news. I will periodically post
supplementary material that may be of interest to you, such as news articles or links to websites
connected with topics discussed in class. You have the opportunity to respond to any post I
make, and I hope you feel free to add comments or thoughts. The website also contains a link to
a discussion board which I hope will be well utilized by all of us- you may post observations,
study group meetings, further discussion and/or questions related to class material on this board.
I encourage the use of this forum as a chance to connect with fellow students and further delve
into topics that might be too limited by our class time.
Counseling Center: Located in the College Center Room 2446B, 527-3676. The Counseling
Center provides an array of free academic support services, including consultations on study
skills, test taking, and concentration issues. They also are available to help students with career
counseling, stress management, and offer support for both academic and personal issues. Their
website: http://www.northseattle.edu/services/counseling/
The Loft Writing Center: Located in the top floor of the Library, if you need assistance with your
writing, they can help. They offer free one-on-one help with everything from ESL issues to
brainstorming and revising term papers. They also have a nice website that has some handouts on
writing: http://www.northseattle.edu/services/loft/ Click on “Online Resources”. Another good
website is the UW Psychology Writing Center: http://web.psych.washington.edu/writingcenter/
Disability Services: Website: http://www.northseattle.edu/services/ds.htm Located in College
Center Room 2445B, 527-3697. Disability Services provides services and assistance to students
with permanent or temporary physical, mental, learning, or sensory disabilities. The American
Disabilities Act is designed to ensure that students with disabilities have an equal opportunity to
access academic programs and successfully complete their studies. Any student with special
needs must bring documentation to Disabilities Services before any academic adjustments will be
made. Any contacts and/or information will remain strictly confidential. If you have a
documented disability, register with DS, and speak to me as soon as possible about any course
adaptations or accommodations you might need, or if you have emergency medical information
or special arrangements in case of an evacuation so that I can be aware of your needs.
ME: Obvious but often overlooked! I have office hours, please do not hesitate to use them. If
you cannot meet during the times listed at the top of the syllabus, please send me an email and we
can arrange a time to meet. I am here for you, please don't hesitate to let me know if you are
having trouble understanding a concept or studying for exams, etc. If you get through the first
exam and are worried about your grade, please come to me and we can work on areas that need
improvement. Don't wait until the end of the quarter to sort out grade issues or try to make it upit will be too late.
Other Students: I encourage study groups. Getting together with fellow classmates outside of
class to discuss material not only helps you remember but also gives you a chance to articulate
points and concepts, which will promote better understanding. You can also offset your
weaknesses with others’ strengths and vice versa.
I am looking forward to a fun and thought-provoking quarter. Welcome to class!
Tentative Course Outline (Note: please have reading done prior to the class it is scheduled for):
Days
1/2-1/12
1/15
1/16-1/17
1/18-1/23
Topic
Introduction to the Perspectives of
Psychology
Scientific Method
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
BIRTHDAY: NO CLASSES
Qualitative Methods
The Biological/Evolutionary
Perspectives: the Nervous System
Stress and Health
Ciccarelli
Introduction
Ch. 1
Assignments Due
Critical Thinking due 1/10
Supplement
Ch. 2 (42-59),
Ch 11
1/24
1/25-1/29
1/30-2/5
EXAM #1
Biological Perspective: The Brain
The Learning Perspective
Ch. 2 (60-81)
5
2/6-2/8
Applying perspectives: Motivation
9
2/9
EXAM #2
2/12-2/16
2/19
2/20-2/27
The Cognitive Perspective: Memory
PRESIDENTS’ DAY: NO CLASSES
The Sociocultural Perspective
2/28
EXAM #3
3/1-3/6
Personality theories: Psychoanalytic and
Humanistic Perspectives
3/7-3/15
Applying Perspectives: Disorders and
Treatment
3/16
EXAM #4
Behaviorism assignment
due 2/5
6
13
12
4 (p. 139-140;
p. 142-145)
14, 15
Deviation from Norms due
2/20
Mental Disorders in Film
due 3/12
OPTIONAL FINAL EXAM: MONDAY, MARCH 19, 10:30AM -12:30PM