Psychology is a multifaceted discipline with many different perspectives as well as areas of research. The purpose of this course is to introduce you to the range of research areas and the primary ways in which research has been conducted in these areas.  Embedded in this knowledge is an understanding of the scientific method as it is applied within psychology, as well as other types of research methods. Bi-weekly laboratory sessions will highlight seminal research studies, theory, and methodology in psychology.  Laboratory sessions will be comprised of group demonstrations, in addition to data collection and analysis exercises. 

 

• Characterize the nature of psychology as a discipline.

a)      Explain why psychology is a science

b)      Identify and explain the primary objectives of psychology: describing, understanding, predicting, and controlling behavior and mental processes

• Describe the basic characteristics of the science of psychology.
• Explain different research methods used by psychologists.
• Use the concepts, language, and major theories of the discipline to account for psychological phenomena.

a)      Describe behavior and mental processes empirically, including operational definitions

b)      Identify antecedents and consequences of behavior

c)      Interpret behavior and mental processes at an appropriate level of complexity

• Recognize the necessity of ethical behavior in all aspects of the science and practice of psychology.
• Demonstrate reasonable skepticism and intellectual curiosity by asking questions about causes of behavior.

 

            This hands-on course will hopefully excite and inspire you, as well as challenge and surprise you.  Through your participation in the labs, you will gain a more realistic understanding of the study of psychology and how psychological knowledge is gained. This course is a “W” designated course which means that you will be expected to write! 

 

To this end, by the end of this course, you are expected to be able to:

a)      Demonstrate writing conventions (e.g., grammar, audience awareness, formality) appropriate to purpose and context

b)      Use APA style effectively in brief empirically based reports

c)      Use information and technology ethically and responsibly.

d)      Quote, paraphrase, and cite correctly from a variety of media sources

e)      Define and avoid plagiarism

 

With regard to writing, please note that I am aware that for most of you this, is only your first or second psychology course.  I understand that most of you have not written a psychology report before, and I don’t expect you to know how.  We do writing in this course by design, we want to teach you early on in your psychology education how to write like a psychologist.  For each writing assignment, I will provide you with models of what is expected.  We will also talk about it in class and I will give you extensive feedback.  Writing is a skill that we will practice a lot in this class!

 

Course Requirements:

 

            Attendance:  Attendance at all lab meetings is required and attendance will be taken.  We meet for a two hour block once every two weeks and labs cannot be made-up.  If you miss a lab, you will receive a 0 for the accompanying lab report.

 

Participation:  As this is a hands-on course, the course depends on your participation (which depends on your attendance!).  For most of the labs, you will act as a participant within the studies we conduct and we will be using your responses as data.  Therefore, you attendance and participation is vital for the success of the demonstrations.  I think you will also find participation in the labs to be fun and exciting.

Participation also means asking questions and providing responses to questions asked.  You’ll get the hang of it!

 

Lab Assignments:  Following each lab meeting, you will be given a writing assignment.  These writing assignments are due during the following lab period.  Some will include answering a number of questions, others will involve more detailed accounts of the experiments conducted in class.  I will provide clear explanations of what is expected for each assignment.  Missing lab reports will be given a grade of 0.

It is expected that each assignment will be turned in on time.  For each day that it is late, 10 points will be deducted from your assignment grade.  Additionally, it is expected that your assignments will be typed and questions will be answered in complete sentences.

 

Grading:

 

      Lab Assignments (best 6 of 7)                                90%

      Class Attendance and Participation                         10%

 

 

 

Schedule for Labs

 

Lab #	Topic	Sec #	Date	Lab Report Due
#1	Research Methodology	Sec. #5 Sec. #6	8/27/08 9/3/08	9/10/08 9/17/08
#2	Sensation & Perception	Sec. #5 Sec. #6	9/10/08 9/17/08	9/24/08 10/1/08
#3	Sheep Brain Dissection	Sec. #5 Sec. #6	9/24/08 10/1/08	10/8/08 10/15/08
#4	Learning	Sec. #5 Sec. #6	10/8/08 10/15/08	10/22/08 10/29/08
#5	Memory	Sec. #5 Sec. #6	10/22/08 10/29/08	11/5/08 11/12/08
#6	Social Psychology	Sec. #5 Sec. #6	11/5/08 11/12/08	11/19/08 11/26/08
#7	Design your Own Study	Sec. #5 Sec. #6	11/19/08 11/26/08	12/3/08 12/3/08