PSYCHOLOGY 100-001: BASIC CONCEPTS IN PSYCHOLOGY
Fall 2015
Instructor: Michael D. Anderson, Ph.D.
Phone: (703) 380-2707
Office: David King Hall, Room 2063
Email: manders1@gmu.edu
Office Hours: Wednesdays 12:00-1:00pm
Course Meeting Times: Mondays & Wednesdays 10:30-11:45, Enterprise Hall 80
Required Materials
Myers, D., & DeWall, C. N. (2015). Psychology (11th Ed.). Macmillan.
*Note: You can purchase the “soft” (bound version) which includes a free learning program (Launchpad), a “looseleaf” (non-bound
version) with the same program, or you can buy access to Launchpad, which includes an electronic copy of the book
(http://www.macmillanhighered.com/launchpad/myers11e/1857323). The prices for these three options are around $200, $130, and $85,
respectively. If you are waiting on financial aid, you can also get free electronic access for 21 days. Please note that Launchpad is
required for this course.
Course Overview
This course will provide a general overview of the field of psychology, which at its core, focuses on explaining people’s
thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The class will not just be about learning this information – it will also be about
beginning to learn how to think critically about the science on which it is based. Psychology is very broad; therefore, this
course will cover a great deal of information. It will be impossible to go over all of the information during class, so
keeping up with readings will be important. Lecture will be used primarily to illustrate and explain the important
concepts and themes of psychology, which will be done through lectures, demonstrations, and examples. Because you
are responsible for information covered in lectures and in the textbook, and because this information will not always
overlap, it is important to keep up with the readings and to attend class regularly.
My approach to lectures is interactive and I will ask you to engage in activities such as introspection, discussions with the
student sitting next to you, and open Q&A with the entire class. I expect to maintain a supportive and inclusive
classroom, and welcome and value individuals and their differences including race, economic status, gender
expression and identity, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, first language, religion, age, and
disability.
Course Goals
1. Students will understand each of the primary areas within the field of psychology and the similarities and differences
among them.
2. Students will know and understand fundamental concepts within each area of psychology, and be able to apply these
concepts to basic novel situations.
3. Students will understand why empirical research is an essential part of every area of psychology.
4. Students will know and understand fundamental concepts of research in the behavioral sciences, and be able to apply
these concepts to basic novel situations.
5. Students will be aware of basic informational resources within the field of psychology.
Technology Usage
Important announcements and study questions may be distributed by email. You are required to check your Mason
email account to receive these [and to keep your mailbox maintained so that messages will not be rejected for over
quota]. Emails to me MUST come from your Mason account, as I cannot verify your identity from other accounts. See
masonlive.gmu.edu for more information.
The course Blackboard site will be used for posting basic copies of slides used during lecture (note that these slides are
NOT COMPLETE). Practice assignments and discussion questions will also be posted on Blackboard. Finally, grades will be
posted on Blackboard. Blackboard is accessed via the mymasonportal.gmu.edu. After logging in, click on the Courses tab,
and choose PSYC-100-001.
The Sona Systems website is used for signing up for research experiments/alternatives (see Research Requirement).
You will undoubtedly be tempted to text, tweet, FB and google during lectures. Please consider the influence that these
behaviors have on your learning and the learning of the students around you. And keep in mind that if your phone rings,
I reserve the right to answer it! (But fair is fair; you can do the same if my phone rings.)
Requirements and Grading
Exams
There are 3 NON-cumulative exams during the semester. In addition, there will be a final exam, which IS cumulative. All
exams are multiple choice. Your total exam grade will be calculated based on the average of the BEST THREE OF THE
FOUR exams. If you are satisfied with your average after the 3 exams during the semester, you are not required to take
the final. This approach also means that there will be NO make up exams. I’m going to say it again: NO MAKE UP
EXAMS. If you miss a test, please consider that to be the one that will be automatically dropped from your final grade.
Research Requirement
The psychology department believes that participation in psychological research can enhance your learning about the
field. Thus, for 7% of the grade, all students are required to serve for 7 hours as participants in psychological research.
For students who choose not to participate, attendance at alternative lectures also meets this requirement. The main
website for signing up for studies or alternative lectures is: http://gmu.sona-systems.com/. There is also a youtube video
posted on this site describing how to complete this requirement. Your 7 hours must be completed by the last day of
classes, 12/9.
Extra Credit Opportunities
Throughout the semester, up to 3 optional assignments will be posted on Blackboard to provide you the opportunity
to practice applying certain concepts. THESE ARE NOT REQUIRED. For students who choose to complete these
assignments, credit is assigned based on effort, not performance. You will receive 1 extra credit point toward your final
overall grade for each of the 3 assignments you complete satisfactorily. This means that if you are at the “borderline”
between grades (e.g., an 87 average, or a B+), you can complete the assignments and bump your grade up to the next
letter point (e.g., a 90 average, or an A-). These assignments MUST be completed by the last day of class, 12/9.
Final Grade
Grades will be calculated as follows: 93%- Average of 3 Best Exam Scores, 7%- Research Hours Completed, + Up to 3%
Extra Credit points. Final letter grades are assigned based on the standard format (scores ending in .5 or higher are
rounded up; scores ending in anything less than .5 are rounded down).
A+ 97%-100% B+ 87%-89% C+ 77%-79% D+ 67%-69%
A 93%-96%
B 83%-86% C 73%-76% D 60%-66%
A- 90%-92%
B- 80%-82% C- 70%-72% F < 60%
Honor Code
George Mason University has an honor code that states the following: To promote a stronger sense of mutual
responsibility, respect, trust, and fairness among all members of the George Mason University community and with the
desire for greater academic and personal achievement, we, the student members of the University Community have set
forth this: Student members of the George Mason University community pledge not to cheat, plagiarize, steal, or lie in
matters related to academic work.
I encourage you to learn the material taught in this course in any and all ways that best fit your learning style (e.g.,
studying in groups, recording lectures, discussing material with me, or each other). However, your performance on
exams, optional assignments, and in the research requirement MUST BE YOUR OWN, INDEPENDENT WORK. For
example, there is to be no communication (verbal, texting, reading, etc.) during exams, and you should never have
someone else perform a required task in this course (e.g., completing an assignment, taking an exam for you). Any
violations such as these will be reported to the Honor Code Committee. Cheating of any kind on an examination will
result in a grade of 0.00 (F) for the exam. In addition, misrepresenting yourself in a research study (e.g., completing an
online study that is for women when you are male, saying that you are in a relationship when you are not) can be
considered fraud. Please respect the process of research by not misrepresenting yourself.
Disabilities
If you are a student with disability and you need academic accommodations, please see me and contact the Disability
Resource Center (DRC) at 703-993-2474. All academic accommodations must be arranged through that office. Please
note that accommodations MUST BE MADE BEFORE assignments are due or exams are given. I cannot adjust your grade
after the fact.
Important Dates
Registration Dates: Apr 07, 2015 to Sep 08, 2015
Drop without Tuition Penalty Dates: Apr 07, 2015 to Sep 08, 2015
Drop with Tuition Penalty (and final drop deadline) Dates: Sep 09, 2015 to Oct 02, 2015
Labor Day, no class: 9/7
Columbus Day, class meets on Tuesday: 10/12 & 10/13
Thanksgiving, no class: 11/25
Last day of class: 12/9
Final Exam: 12/16
Course Schedule
Unanticipated changes to this schedule will be announced via Blackboard and email.
Date
Lecture Topic
Reading
M 8/31
Welcome!
M&D Preface
How to Succeed in this Class
W 9/2
History & Overview of Psychology
M&D Prologue
Thinking Critically with Psychological Science
M&D Ch. 1
M 9/7
NO CLASS- LABOR DAY
W 9/9
Thinking Critically with Psychological Science
M&D Ch. 1
M 9/14
W 9/16
Biology of the Mind
Biology of the Mind
M&D Ch. 2
M&D Ch. 2
M 9/21
W 9/23
Consciousness
Consciousness
M&D Ch. 3
M&D Ch. 3
M 9/28
W 9/30
Nature, Nurture, and Human Diversity
Nature, Nurture, and Human Diversity
M&D Ch. 4
M&D Ch. 4
M 10/5
W 10/7
Exam #1
Developing through the Life Span
M&D Ch. 5
M 10/12
T 10/13
W 10/14
NO CLASS- COLUMBUS DAY
Make up Class
Developing through the Life Span
Sensation & Perception
M 10/19
W 10/21
M 10/26
W 10/28
Learning
Memory
Thinking & Language
Intelligence
Optional Activities
Check out: www.apa.org
LP: How would you know if
there is a hot hand in
basketball?
LP: Video activity on
competition and aggression
LP: Assess your sleep
activity
LP: Exam Practice Questions
(Ch 1-4 quizzes)
Observe or interview
someone at a different life
stage than you
M&D Ch. 5
M&D Ch. 6
M&D Ch. 7
M&D Ch. 8
M&D Ch. 9
M&D Ch. 10
LP: Living in a Colorful
World, Sense of Smell,
Auditory Pathway
LP: Lab- Levels of Processing
LP: Exam Practice Questions
(Ch 5-10 quizzes)
M 11/2
W 11/4
Exam #2
Motivations: Hunger, Sex, Friendship, Achievement M&D Ch. 11
M 11/9
W 11/11
Social Psychology
Social Psychology
M&D Ch. 13
M&D Ch. 13
M 11/16
W 11/18
Personality
Emotions, Stress & Health
M&D Ch. 14
Ch. 12
M 11/23
W 11/25
M 11/30
NO CLASS- THANKSGIVING
Emotions, Stress & Health
Psychological Disorders & Therapy
W 12/2
Psychological Disorders & Therapy
M 12/7
W 12/9
LP: How would you know if
using larger dinner plates
can make us gain weight?
LP: When will people help
others?
Try a positive psychology
intervention over the
holiday
Ch. 12
M&D Ch. 15 & 16 Listen to a podcast from
www.thepsychfiles.com
M&D Ch. 15 & 16 LP: Exam Practice Questions
(Ch 11-16 Quizzes)
Exam #3
Last Day of Class
Wrap-Up and Exam Prep
Weds 12/16 FINAL EXAM
Note: M&D refers to the required textbook (Myers & DeWall, 2015); LP refers to the online platform (Launchpad) that
accompanies the text.