University of Massachusetts Lowell
Department of Psychology
GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY -- PSYCH 101
(Course 47.101.220 & 47.101.217)
Monday and Wednesday 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM
Monday and Wednesday 9:30 AM – 10:45 AM
Mahoney Hall – room 108
COURSE SYLLABUS -- Spring 2013
Instructor: Marie Murphy, MA
Email: mailto:marie_murphy@uml.edu
Phone: (978) 270-4173 (cell)
Availability outside of class: By appointment
Required Text: Rathus, Spencer A. (2012, 2009). PSYCH (3rd Ed.) Wasdworth, CENGAGE
Learning.
Communication – Getting Important Class Announcements: I will send important emails
regarding the course to your U Mass Lowell (UML) email accounts. If you do not check your
UML account, be sure to have it forwarded to an account that you do check regularly so that you
will receive my emails.
Course Website: I will upload all handouts and class materials, if they are in an electronic
format, to the class website, which can be located at http://marie-murphy-win13.wiki.uml.edu/. I
will let you know when I have added materials to the site.
Course Description:
This course surveys the major areas of Psychology including the nature of Psychology as a
science, research methods, the relationship between physiological and psychological processes,
principles of learning, sensation and perception, cognitive processes, including language and
intelligence, child development, adjustment and behavior disorders, as well as social behavior.
Course Objectives:
1) Understand the importance of research and scientific method in the development of
psychological knowledge
2) Know the major principles and terminology within the various areas of psychology
3) Critically consider ground breaking theories and studies within the field of psychology
and their impact
4) Apply concepts and findings in psychology to gain a greater understanding of human
behavior
5) Participate in psychological research
General Education Goals
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General Psych Syllabus – Spring 2013
This is one of the University’s General Education courses, and one key course goal is to help
meet two of the University’s overarching General Education learning objectives:
First, students should meet the CRITICAL THINKING standard, which requires students to
demonstrate the ability to synthesize information, discover connections, differentiate between
facts and opinions, assess evidence, draw conclusions, construct arguments on both sides of a
debate using the best available evidence, solve problems, and develop and test hypotheses.
Second, students should meet the CLEAR COMMUNICATION standard, which requires
students to demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively: to articulate, support, and defend
a position using appropriate modes of communication.
Course Requirements
Class Attendance and Participation: Regular class attendance is an important part of this
course and is required. In addition to lectures, classroom presentations will include videos,
demonstrations, small group exercises, and other activities designed to help you understand the
material. You are allowed 3 unexcused absences. Attendance is required and is worth 10% of
your grade. Please note: tardiness will be noted and will be considered when determining your
final attendance percentage.
You will be expected to have read the material required for that day and be prepared to
participate in a discussion of that material as well as any in-class assignments. In-class
assignments include reading and writing exercises designed to facilitated discussion and thinking
about the course material. These cannot be made up. Participation is worth 10% of your grade.
Grading:
Attendance
Classroom Participation
Quiz 1
Quiz 2
Quiz 3
Quiz 4
Final Exam (Quiz 5)
Research Participation
Written Assignment
%
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
20
Quizzes: Each quiz is worth 10% of your grade. There will be four quizzes during the 26
scheduled class meetings, consisting of multiple choice and short essay questions. Each quiz will
be based on material covered in the class (which may not be in the textbook), and material
covered in the textbook (which may not have been covered in class). You must bring a pencil for
all quizzes.
Final Exam: The final ("Quiz 5") is worth 10% of your grade. The final/Quiz 5 will be held
during the final exam period, and is not cumulative (i.e. does not cover material from the whole
course). It will consist of multiple choice and short essay questions.
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General Psych Syllabus – Spring 2013
Quiz Make-up Policy: You are expected to be in class on the day and time that the
quizzes are scheduled. If you do not attend a quiz you will receive an F for that quiz.
Make-up quizzes will only be allowed if you can provide documentation of a legitimate
medical or family emergency. You must notify me of this within 24 hours of missing the
quiz and provide documentation within 72 hours of the quiz. Make-ups are scheduled
through the Psychology department on a limited basis.
Research Participation Requirement: This requirement is based on the number of participation
hours, and is worth 10% of your grade (see last two pages for details).
The Department of Psychology requires all students enrolled in a section of General Psychology
to complete the Research Participation Requirement. This involves taking part in four research
activities currently underway by faculty and students at UML, each requiring around an hour.
Those who complete 4 hours of participation will receive 100 points (10% of your grade), 3
hours will receive 75 points, 2 hours will receive 50 points, 1 hour will receive 25 points, and 0
hours will receive 0 points. Individuals under the age of 18 will have an alternate assignment.
Further details explaining this assignment can also be found at:
http://dragon.uml.edu/research_participation.html
Written Assignment: You will be expected to write a paper on the subject area listed below,
and is worth 20% of your grade. This paper is not simply an opinion or summary, but a written
application of your critical thinking skills. Papers need to be at least four pages in length
(double-spaced, Times New Roman font, size 12, one-inch margins). I will provide resources for
using APA format to write your paper.
I do not accept late papers. They must be on my desk at the beginning of class, on its scheduled
deadline. There are no exceptions. If you know you won’t be able to make it, please submit it
early to have it put in my mailbox in the psychology office in Mahoney Hall.
Student Paper Topic: Analyze a Famous Psychological Experiment
There have been many fascinating and groundbreaking experiments throughout the history of
psychology. For this topic, you must pick a famous experiment (see below for examples) that
you are interested in and write a paper, including the following elements:
• a detailed summary of the experiment
• an analysis of the ethics of the research
• an evaluation of the study's implications on psychology, then and now
Possible experiments that you might consider include:
• The Milgram Obedience Experiment
• The Stanford Prison Experiment
• The Little Albert Experiment
• Pavlov's Conditioning Experiments
• The Asch Conformity Experiment
• Harlow’s Rhesus Monkey Experiments
• Bandura's Bobo Doll Experiments
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General Psych Syllabus – Spring 2013
Students with Disabilities. Reasonable modifications will be made for students with disabilities.
Please be sure to register with the Office of Disability Services. See further on for more details.
Final Grades:
Your final grade will be determined using the following scale:
A
93-100
C+ 77-79
F
0-59
A90-92
C
73-76
B+
87-89
C70-72
B
83-86
D+ 67-69
B80-82
D
60-66
Contacting me: The best way to contact me is by email. I usually try to respond to emails within
24 hour period (excluding weekends).
Incompletes and Withdrawals: The University has strict deadlines for withdrawal from a
course. Tuesday, February 4th is the last day to drop a “Course without Record” or choose “PassNo Credit” or Audit options. Wednesday, April 10th is the last day to withdraw with a grade of
“W.”
Incomplete grades are strongly discouraged by the Department and are available only to students
who have kept up with the work throughout the semester. They will be allowed only for
exceptional circumstances, such as serious illness, and they require consultation with the Chair
of the Psychology Department.
Class Policies and Expectations
Courtesy and Respect: Students are expected to express themselves in a way that is courteous,
mature, and respectful. It is all right to express ideas or opinions that don’t always agree with
what is in the text, lectures, or videos – or in the views of classmates. However, students must
always treat others in a respectful manner.
Cell Phones and Other Portable Electronic Devices: If you bring a phone or other device to
class, please turn it OFF. Do not send or check text messages during class. Using phones or
other devices during class is rude and distracting to others. If you have a special reason, such as
a medical emergency, that requires leaving your cell phone on or leaving class, check with me
before class. Laptops will only be allowed with the permission of the instructor.
Arrive on Time: It is distracting to everyone when a student arrives late or leaves early. Please
come to class on time and leave when class is over.
University Policies
Accommodations and Resources for Students with Disabilities: If students need
accommodation for a disability, they should make an appointment to see the Office of Disability
Services is on the South Campus, in 363 McGauvran Hall. Their website is
http://www.uml.edu/student-services/disab/.
For questions about services regarding learning disabilities, call 978-934-4574. For questions
about services regarding other disabilities, contact the Counseling Service at 978-934-4338.
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General Psych Syllabus – Spring 2013
There are also many resources available through the UML Centers for Learning, including peer
tutors.
I will be glad to provide needed assistance and to protect confidentiality as is necessary, but
before I can do this, I need to have advanced notice and receive the appropriate certification from
the Disabilities office. If you think you will need accommodations, please start working on this
at the beginning of the semester. Don’t wait until an exam of paper is due, because it may take
weeks to get certification approved.
Dishonesty, Cheating and Plagiarism: The University takes a very firm stance against any
kind of cheating. You must work independently on all requirements. Any exam or paper that
shows evidence that you have collaborated with one another, or have copied from someone else's
work, will receive a 0, and you will be referred for disciplinary action, in accordance with
university policies as set forth at:
http://www.uml.edu/catalog/undergraduate/policies/academic_dishonesty.htm
Note: Cheating includes writing another student’s paper or plagiarizing (copying from another
source, whether a website, book, or journal article, without proper citations). If you are having
difficulties with a course, there are many resources on campus available to help students,
including free tutoring (see section on Campus Resources for Students). If you are concerned
about your grade, you may have an opportunity to earn extra credit. Please see me if you are
interested in earning extra credit points.
Student Complaints: UMass Lowell is committed to the fair treatment of all its students by
faculty, staff, and other students. If you feel you have been unfairly treated, your rights are
described at: http://www.uml.edu/catalog/undergraduate/policies/student_complaints.htm
Safety: UMass Lowell strives to provide a safe and secure environment for all its students and
employees. In any emergency, UMass Lowell police can be reached by dialing x2911 or e-mail
to police@uml.edu.
Campus Resources for Students
Free Tutoring and Computer Lab: For help with coursework, contact The Centers for
Learning and Academic Services (CLASS). Their website is: http://class.uml.edu/. Tutoring
and computer lab are free! You can either make an appointment or just drop in to their office on
North Campus in Southwick, Room 308, or the South, in O’Leary Library, 3rd floor.
Career Counseling: Contact the Career Services Office in Southwick, Room 205. Their phone
is 978-934-2355. Their website is: http://www. uml.edu/student-services/counseling
University Library Services: The Lydon Library on the North Campus and the O’Leary
Library on the South campus both have staff glad to help you search for books and other
materials. Their website is: http://library.uml.edu /home/. They offer not only library tours and
workshops, but individual assistance at the reference desk, and individual consultations by
appointment. For questions or appointments, call the Lydon Reference Desk at: 978-934-3213
or the O’Leary Reference Desk at 978-934-4554.
Free Personal and Mental Health Counseling: The Counseling Center in the McGauvran
Student Center (3rd floor), on South Campus provides free and confidential counseling and
referrals on a variety of issues, including those involving mental health and personal or academic
success. Their website is: http://www.uml.edu/student-services/counseling/
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General Psych Syllabus – Spring 2013
Class Schedule
Course Calendar and Changes in Syllabus Dates: The scheduled dates on the syllabus for
lecture topics and assignments may change over the course of the semester. If there are any
changes, I will announce them in class and by email. You are responsible for keeping aware of
any changes to the dates, so please check your email regularly.
Week
Dates
Class Topic
#1
WED
1/23
Optional Reading-Available on the Course Website
Introduction to the Science of Psychology
What is it, where does it come from, and who does it?
#2
MON
1/28
Research methodology of the science of psychology;
How do psychologists study people?
Chapter 1, pp. 12-21
WED
1/30
Biology and Psychology
The Nervous System and the Brain.
Chapter 2, pp.26-44
MON
2/4
WED
2/6
QUIZ 1
Chapters 1, 2
Sensation and Perception.
How our bodies enable our senses and more.
Chapter 3, pp. 57-76
MON
2/11
Consciousness, Psychoactive drugs.
What happens when you are sleep deprived? What are dreams?
Chapter 4, pp. 84-104
WED
2/13
Learning – Classical and Operant Conditioning
How do animals learn? How do people learn? The basic principles and
application of them. (Pavlov, Watson, Skinner)
Chapter 5, pp. 110128
MON
2/18
TUES
2/19
President’s Day – NO CLASS!
Learning – Classical and Operant Conditioning
How do animals learn? How do people learn? The basic principles and
application of them. (Pavlov, Watson, Skinner)
Chapter 5, pp. 110128
WED
2/20
MON
2/25
QUIZ 2
Chapters 3, 4, 5
Memory.
What factors influence the reliability of eyewitness testimony? What is
the “repressed memory controversy”?
Thinking, Language and Intelligence
Can animals think? How does language develop? Can intelligence be
influenced?
Chapter 6, pp.134155
MON
03/04
Chapter 7, continued
How do you measure intelligence? What is Emotional Intelligence?
Chapter 7
WED
3/6
MON
3/11
MON
3/18
QUIZ 3
Chapters 6, 7
The Voyage through the Life Span
Prenatal Development, Infancy, Attachment, Parenting Styles,
Temperament. (Harlow, Ainsworth, Baumrind.)
Chapter 9, pp. 216237
WED
3/20
Chapter 9, continued
Theories of Human Development. (Piaget, Kohlberg, Erickson. Gender
Role Development, Peer Groups)
Chapter 9,
MON
3/25
Stress, Health & Coping
What is stress? How do you measure stress? What is resilience? Is social
Chapter 11, pp. 266280
#3
#4
#5
#6
WED
2/27
#7
#8
#9
Reading
Assignment
Chapter 1, pp. 1-10
Chapter 7
SPRING BREAK WEEK
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General Psych Syllabus – Spring 2013
support important?
#10
#11
#12
#13
#14
WED
3/27
Personality Theory
Freud: Unconscious, anxiety, and defense
Chapter 10, pp. 242252
MON
4/1
Personality Theory continued.
(Maslow, Rogers; Five-factor model; Valliant’s study; Self-efficacy and
locus of control)
Chapter 10, pp. 253261
WED
4/3
MON
4/8
Quiz 4
Chapters 9, 11, 10
Psychological Disorders
What are they and how are they classified? (Anxiety and Dissociative
Disorders)
Chapter 12, pp. 284293
WED
4/10
Psychological disorders continued.
(Mood Disorders, Schizophrenia and Other Psychological Disorders)
Chapter 12, pp. 294303
MON
4/15
WED
4/17
MON
4/22
WED
4/24
Patriot’s Day/SCHOOL CLOSED!
MON
4/29
Social Psychology, continued
How do groups influence individual decision making? What factors
contribute to the development of prejudice and discrimination? (Asch,
Bystander Intervention)
Review for Final
Chapters 12, 13, 14
Final Exam
Cumulative
WED
5/1
Exam Time
Methods of Therapy
Chapter 13, pp. 384402
Methods of Therapy, continued
PAPER IS DUE!
Social Psychology
How do we form opinions of others? (Milgram’s Prison Experiment)
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Chapter 14