SPRING 2012

PSY 112: General Psychology II

Stephen Weiss, Ph.D.

Office: D 205.6W

Office Phone #: 860-823-2819

Office Hours:

 

MW 4:00-5:00 PM

TUTH 10:00-11:00 AM

& by appointment

E-Mail: sweiss@trcc.commnet.edu

Class Room: D 224

Class Schedule:

TUTH 1:00-2:15 PM

Website: http://smw15.org/

This page last updated: 05/08/12 – 9:00 PM

PowerPoint Presentations                                            

Modules: 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11/12, 13/14, 15, 31/32, 33/34/35, 45, 46/47, 48, 49, 50, 51 [I have included the treatments for the specific disorders (Modules 53-55), in PowerPoint Presentations 49-51], 56/57, 58, 59

Course Description: This introductory course provides an overview of the applied and social aspects of scientific psychology with an emphasis on: cognition, human development, personality theory and assessment, abnormal behavior, psychotherapy, sexuality and gender, social psychology, consciousness, and workplace psychology.

Student Learning Outcomes: The goals and objectives for General Psychology II are integrated with the College’s general education goals.  After completing this course, the successful student will have the following knowledge and skills.

Critical Thinking:  Utilize critical thinking skills to analyze psychological theories and research data   

·      Develop an understanding of the interrelationship between human biology and psychology

·      Describe the interrelationship between stress, coping and health 

·      Develop an understanding of how social psychology informs a respect for diversity and humanity

 

Information Literacy:  Assess what information is needed to answer questions as well as evaluate the quality of information

·      Demonstrate the skill of identifying information needed to answer questions pertaining to psychological terms and concepts

·      Recognize and evaluate information sources for a specified purpose

·      Develop an understanding of how to apply ethical principles when using information pertaining to abnormal behavior, mental illness and psychotherapy

 

Communication:  Understand and express ideas about psychology through reading and writing

·      Demonstrate the ability to comprehend and interpret written passages

·      Write clearly

·       Develop the ability to articulate one’s viewpoint in verbal or electronic discussions

 

Systematic Inquiry:  Understand social science research methods used in psychological research

·      Demonstrate the ability to describe the science of psychology 

·      Develop an understanding of the different research methods used in psychological science

·       Describe various theories of personality and the research methods to measure personality attributes

Required Text: Psychology: Ninth Edition in Modules by David G. Myers

 

Grading Criteria

Points

Percentage

5 Tests (lowest dropped; other four worth 100 pts each)

400

80%

Research Paper

100

20%

Total

500

100%

Note: Above grading criteria is not subject to change. No extra credit assignments will be offered.


Grading System:

 

Grade

%

Total Points

A

94+

470+

A-

90-93

450-469

B+

87-89

435-468

B

84-86

420-467

B-

80-83

400-419

C+

77-79

385-399

C

74-76

370-384

C-

70-73

350-369

D+

67-69

335-349

D

64-66

320-334

D-

60-63

300-319

F

-60

-300

 

Notes:

(1)  While class attendance will not be calculated into the above grades, excessive absences (6-7) will result in a decrease of a full letter grade (for example from C to D). 8-9 absences will cause your grade to be reduced by two full letters (for example from B to D). 10 or more absences will result in failure of the course.

 

(2)  If you DO NOT complete this course, you must formally withdraw at the registrar’s office by May 7th. Failure to do so will likely result in you receiving an F on your transcript for this course.

 

Tests: All tests will be part multiple choice, true/false and short answer format. There will be no make-ups for these exams - since I am dropping the lowest, if one is missed it will count as your low grade (unless, there is an emergency and I am informed immediately).

Reading Assignments: The majority of the readings will come from the textbook. Additional readings will be assigned as well.

Research Paper:

Copy of article: A copy of one journal article must be handed in (for my approval). There will be a five-point penalty attached to Paper 1 if this is handed in late. Due date: February 14.

Paper: You will be required to write a 7-9 page paper (maximum nine pages) during this semester. For this paper, you will need to determine a topic with psychological implications (positive attribute or mental disorder) to investigate and then write a brief summary of past research and a section with conclusions and opinions. You must also conduct a structured interview with at least one individual and then include in your paper a summary of this interview. Papers must be written in APA format. Since you have these assignments well in advance of the due date, I will strictly enforce a 10-point penalty for each day a paper is late (including weekends). Due date: April 5.

v   Hard-copy submission of papers is required in class on day paper is due. However, on certain occasions I will allow for an electronic submission. Two rules must be followed concerning electronic submissions: (1) file submitted is attached as plain Word document (no zip files, etc.); (2) your submission is not official unless I have sent a confirmation return email of its receipt.

v   If a hard-copy of your paper is left in my mailbox or office (and thus has not been handed to me in person) you must also send me an email informing me of this and your submission is not official unless I have sent a confirmation return email of its receipt.

The following links will be helpful in your preparation for research papers:

Paper Guidelines

 

Sample Paper

 

APA Guidelines

 

 

Policy on Cheating and Plagiarism: Academic integrity is essential to a useful education. Failure to act with academic integrity severely limits a person’s ability to succeed in the classroom and beyond. Furthermore, academic dishonesty erodes the legitimacy of every degree awarded by the College. In this class and in the course of your academic career, present only your own best work; clearly document the sources of the material you use from others; and act at all times with honor.

 

If I have determined that you have copied from another student or other source, you will receive a grade of zero on that assignment or exam. This zero cannot be counted as your lowest exam grade (it cannot be dropped). A second offense will result in failure of the course. See your student handbook for additional information concerning academic integrity.

Disabilities Policy: Students with a documented disability are provided supportive service and accommodations to assist them with their academic objectives. Services are strictly confidential. Disability services may include individualized accommodations, advising, advocacy, counseling, technical assistant and referral information. For further information read this policy in your student handbook.

 

Article to be read for Test 2:

 

Bouchard’s “Jim Twins”

 

Article to be read for TEST 3:

Implicit Learning

Article to be read for TEST 5:

Antidepressants

 

 Schedule of Classes

Date

Tentative Topics

Modules

Jan 19

Syllabus; Research Issues and Techniques; Library Database Tutorial

Module 3

Jan 24

The Brain & Consciousness

Module 7

Jan 26

Sleep and Dreams

Module 8

Jan 31

In-class assignment

 

Feb 2

College Professional Day – No Class – Enjoy!

 

Feb 7

Hypnosis

Module 9

Feb 9

Drugs & Consciousness

Module 10

 

Reminder: Copy of Journal Article is due next class (Feb 14th)!

 

Feb 14
TEST 1: Modules 3, 7-10

 

Feb 16

Paper Guidelines; APA Publication Manual (6th edition)

Nature & Nurture: Behavioral Genetics; Evolutionary Psychology; Environmental Influences

 

 

Modules 11-12

Feb 21, 23

Life Span Development: Prenatal through Childhood

Modules 13-14

Feb 28

Life Span Development: Adolescence, Emerging Adulthood

Module 15

Mar 1

TEST 2: Modules 11-15

 

Mar 6, 8, 13

Paper Guidelines; APA Publication Manual (6th edition)

Intelligence

 

Modules 33-35

Mar 13, 15

Thinking & Language

Modules 31-32

Mar 15

Personality Psychology: Psychoanalytic Perspective

Module 45

Mar 18-25

Spring Break – Enjoy!

 

Mar 27

Personality Psychology: Humanistic Perspective

Personality Psychology: Contemporary Research

Module 46

Module 47

Mar 29

TEST 3: Modules 31-35; 45-47

 

 

Reminder: Paper is due Apr 5th!

 

Apr 3, 5

Social Thinking/Social Influence

Modules 56-57

Apr 10, 12

Prosocial Relations: Attraction, Altruism, Peacemaking

Module 59

Apr 17, 19

Antisocial Relations: Prejudice; Aggression

Module 58

Apr 24

TEST 4: Modules 56-59

 

Apr 26, May 1

Introduction to Psychological Disorders

Anxiety Disorders

  Treatments for Anxiety Disorders

      CBT (pp.656-657)

      EMDR (pp. 665-666)

      Meds: Antianxiety Drugs (p. 672)

Module 48

Module 49

 

Module 53

Module 54

Module 55

May 3, 8       

Somatoform Disorders

Dissociative Disorders

Personality Disorders

  Treatments for Personality Disorders

     Group & Family Therapies (pp.657-658)

     Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Module 50

 

 

Module 53

May 8

Depressive Disorders (Dysthymic Disorder; Major Depression)

        Bipolar Disorders will not be on the exam

   Treatments for Mood Disorders

     Humanistic Therapies (pp.649-650)

     Cognitive Therapies (pp. 654-656)

     Light Exposure Therapy (p. 666)

     Meds: Antidepressants; Mood Stabilizers (pp. 673-674)

     ECT (pp. 675-676)

     Alternative Neurostimulation (pp. 676-677)

Module 51

 

Module 53

Module 53

Module 54

Module 55

Module 55

Module 55

May 10

TEST 5: Modules 48-51; portions of 53-55