Course Overview

Introduction to Psychology

Mrs. Kelliher

kkelliher@sau49.org

569-2055 Ext:  1208

Course Description:  Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.  This course is a survey course that will explore the various aspects of the field of psychology.  Throughout this study of human behavior and the mind, students will develop the ability to think critically about what causes humans to behave the way they do. 

We will explore historical, as well as contemporary, theories and issues in areas such as: cognition, learning, memory, consciousness, personality, wellness, human development, and psychological disorders.

Course Enduring Understandings: 

·         Psychology is a social science that continues to evolve in a socio-historic content.

·         Psychology uses the scientific method to understand human behavior.

·         Ethics is important in both scientific research and the practice of psychology

·         The physiology of the body and brain can have a strong influence on a person’s behavior.

·         Human development is a series of  cognitive, physical and social changes that happen throughout a person’s lifetime

·         There are various theories regarding the causes of human behavior and personality development.

·         Social factors can influence an individual’s behavior.

·         There are causes, manifestations and treatments for common psychological disorders.

·         Maintaining optimal mental health is important to an individual’s quality of life.

Students will be able to:

·         Critically examine and evaluate research (portrayed in the media or elsewhere)

·         Describe the different approaches to the study of behavior

·         Apply theory to practice in the context of case studies

·         Develop their ability to discuss issues in psychology

Nuts and Bolts:

Preparation:  Students are expected to be prepared for class each day with a notebook (3-ring binder or spiral notebook with a separate notebook for handouts), their textbook, and a pen/pencil.

Each student will be issued a textbook; textbooks must be covered at all times.  Bring your textbook to class each day unless otherwise instructed.

Organization of the Course:  This course will consist of lecture, videos, class demonstrations, discussions, small group work and independent work.  The required reading will be in the Understanding Psychology textbook, case studies and supplemental articles.  Students are expected to come to class prepared to discuss any reading that is given as homework.

Grading: 

Participation:                                   10%

Quizzes:                                              15%

Classwork/ HW:                              15%

Writing Assignments                     20%

Tests                                                     20%

Project/Performance Tasks      20%

Oh… and by the way:

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

Or….

According to a researcher (sic) at Cambridge University, it doesn't matter in what order the letters in a word are, the only important thing is that the first and last letter be at the right place. The rest can be a total mess and you can still read it without problem. This is because the human mind does not read every letter by itself but the word as a whole.