Introduction to Psychology 2015-2016
Grafton High School
Teacher: Mr. Michael Dowdle
dowdlem@grafton.k12.ma.us
Course Overview:
This course will allow students to acquire a greater understanding of human behavior and the mind.
Students will utilize critical thinking skills and develop a better understanding of themselves and the forces
acting upon them.
Mission
The mission of Grafton High School is to prepare our students intellectually, physically, and socially for
their role as lifelong learners and responsible citizens.
Core Values and Beliefs
Students Learn Best:
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When provided with a comprehensive, challenging and engaging curriculum, to meet all learning
styles.
In an environment that fosters high expectations for one’s own actions, motivation, and
responsibility.
When they are encouraged to think, work and communicate effectively.
In a safe and accepting learning environment that fosters respect and tolerance.
When health and wellness are promoted and encouraged.
By working independently and collaboratively to accomplish goals.
When given equal opportunity to succeed academically and develop socially.
When the entire Grafton community supports their learning in all regards.
Academic Expectations
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Read, write, and speak effectively
Demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge to complete tasks effectively
Utilize critical thinking
Enhance knowledge and skills with technology
Exhibit behaviors that promote personal physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle
Social Expectations
 Practice responsible and appropriate social behaviors
 Recognize and respect diversity
Civic Expectations
 Understand and demonstrate the duties and responsibilities that come with citizenship
Course Objectives:
 Students will define the term psychology.
 Students will gain knowledge and understanding of past and present psychological approaches.
 Students will identify and analyze the important themes of psychology.
 Students will comprehend the methods psychologists use to create hypotheses.
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Students will be able to identify the basic structure of the nervous system.
Students will gain an understanding of the sensory process.
Students will grasp and discuss perception and consciousness.
Student will write and produce various experiments using classical and operant conditioning.
Students will make scientific connections between remembering and forgetting.
Students will discern differences in measured intelligence.
Students will gain an appreciation for their higher cognitive functions.
Students will master the stages of developmental psychology.
Students will comprehend various theories of personality, and human sexuality and gender.
Students will determine the various causes for motivation, emotion, and stress.
Students will realize the importance of understanding the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of
abnormal mental disorders.
Students will understand the aspects of social psychology that can be used to help understand the
world’s various cultures.
Students will improve their oral and written communication skills.
Students will use technology to enhance their study of psychology.
Course Content:
The following topics will be covered in Psychology.
 The nature of psychology
 Biological bases of behavior
 Sensory process
 Perception and consciousness
 Memory
 Higher cognitive processes
 Intelligence and psychological testing
 Developmental psychology
 Personality theory
 Motivation, emotion, and stress
 Abnormal psychology
 Social psychology
Required writing:
 Homework assignments
 Essay assignments (persuasive and descriptive) on selected topics.
 Research papers and projects on selected topics
Evaluation per quarter:
 Tests/Major Papers and quizzes= 70% (tests and major papers count twice as much as a quiz)
 Writing and Communications=30%
Text: Psychology: Principles and Practice, Rathus, Spencer A., Holt, Rhinehart and Winston, Boston,
1998. COST: $63.00.
Books must be covered at all times!
Course expectations:
 Class Preparation: Supplies (iPad, notebooks and writing utensil) must be brought to class
everyday. Notes will be given during class periods. You will benefit from class notes, which will
include outlines and graphic organizers. You will also practice taking notes independently.
 Homework: Please see attached homework policy.
 It is your responsibility to find out which assignments and material you have missed.
 Class rules: You are expected to adhere to all classroom rules, as well as rules outlined for you in
the student handbook. Rudeness, disrespect, and irresponsibility of any type will not be tolerated.
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Class Absences: You will not receive credit for this course, regardless of your final average, if
you miss ten classes. Please refer to the student handbook for details. If you miss a class due to
illness, work is expected to be completed two days from the day of the absence. For example,
“Sue is ill on Monday.” She is expected to pass in her work on Wednesday if she was in school
Tuesday. Also, if Sue had an assignment due Monday, she is expected to pass in the assignment
on Tuesday. (Even if she does not have my class that day.) If you are in school and must be
dismissed before my class, you must pass in your assignments to me before you leave. Never
leave an assignment on my desk. If you cannot see me personally, place the assignment in my
office mailbox down in the main office.
Extra help is gladly given in the media center. Please make an appointment with me and come
prepared to the extra help session. Tuesdays and Thursdays are the best days for extra help.
Social Studies Homework Grading Rubric
Homework is assigned to help students understand concepts and skills that are discussed in class. No late
homework will be accepted for credit.
Homework requirements:
1. All homework must be legibly completed in pencil, blue ink, or black ink.
2. All homework should be completed on white or yellow lined paper, unless otherwise specified.
3. Most teachers have roughly 130 students per year. If we multiply 130 by the number of
assignments given per year, and that number will easily reach into the tens of thousands of items
needed to be corrected and accurately recorded. Therefore, to correctly manage this task all
homework assignments require the following heading at the top of the paper:
 Name
 Date
 Page number or brief description of the assignment
 Period number
It is the responsibility of the student to find out what assignments were missed in the event of an absence.
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A “check” indicates that a student has received full credit for an assignment. The
following is needed for full credit. (100%)
o The heading is complete.
o The assignment is passed in when due.
o The assignment is neat, legible, and well organized.
o The student has followed any verbal or written directions given by the instructor.
o The assignment has been entirely completed.
o There has been a strong effort made to have all answers, or aspects of the
assignment, correct based on what is in the text and what is taught in class.
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- A “check minus” indicates that a student has received half credit for an assignment.
The following is needed for half credit. (50%)
o The assignment is passed in when due.
o The assignment is missing one of the above components listed to get full credit. (For
example, any aspect of the heading is missing, or if only 5 out of 6 questions were
answered.)
o The assignment must be at least half completed and correct.
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A “zero” indicates that a student did not receive credit for an assignment.
The following is needed for a student to earn no credit. (0%)
o The assignment was not passed in.
o The homework was late without permission from the instructor or a school
administrator.
o Less than half of the assignment is complete and correct.
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More than one requirement is missing to earn full credit.
The Social Studies Department believes that the above rubric is fair. It clearly shows a student what they
need to do to earn full credit for a homework assignment. We also understand that anyone can have a
“bad day” or make a crucial mistake in following the above rubric, which could lead to a good student
earning a “check minus” for 50%, or a “zero” for no credit at all. Therefore, we allow students the
opportunity to earn extra credit on homework assignments only. If the below rubric is followed, a
student can earn a “check plus.” This grade is equal to 150%, or “an assignment and a half.”
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+ A “check plus” indicates that a student has received credit and a half for an
assignment. The following is needed for credit and a half (150%).
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All requirements are met and the assignment is neat and legible. All directions,
verbal and written, are followed.
The assignment clearly demonstrates extra effort. (For example, additional questions
are completed, a map assignment or graph analysis has extra aspects on it that were
created by the student, an essay is exceptional, the assignment contains additional
outside research, etc.)
The student should see the instructor to discuss ways in which earning extra credit is
possible, as assignments may vary.
A student’s homework average may not exceed 100%.
PSYCHOLOGY
Student/Parent Acknowledgement:
Please read and discuss these expectations with your student. This course involves more mature subject
matter such as, drugs, anxiety and personality disorders, human sexuality and gender, and social
influences. These subjects are an important part of “the scientific study of behavior and mental
processes.” It is important to understand that students must be able to treat these topics with respect and
dignity.
I thank you for your cooperation. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Thank You,
Mr. Michael Dowdle
Social Studies Department
dowdlem@grafton.k12.ma.us