Psychology 100 Honors

Winter, 1996

Instructor: Mary Allen, Ph.D.

Course Hours: TuTh 10:30 a.m.-12:35 p.m., DDH-H105

Office Hours: MW 11-noon and Tu 8-10 a.m., DDH-E106

Office Phone: 664-2366, e-mail Mallen@academic.csubak.edu

Text: Huffman, K., Vernoy, M., & Vernoy, J. (1994). Psychology in Action (3rd ed.). John Wiley & Sons.

Course Objectives

To familiarize the student with the methods of psychology as a science, in particular with the interplay of theories and evidence as they contribute toward understanding the person functioning within a social context. Laboratory exercises will give the student first-hand experience in psychology as an empirical science.
To enable the student to learn about some of the important theories, phenomena, and principles of the field, as well as the methodological foundations of psychology.
To help the student explore the implications of the science of psychology for understanding the individual within society and for understanding related human value and public issues.
To reinforce basic skills expected of every CSUB graduate, including the ability to think clearly and logically, to use language effectively, and to perform quantitative functions.
To help prepare interested students for future courses in psychology and related fields.

Course Components

Class Participation. Class attendance and active participation are expected of all students. Your class participation grade will be based on in-class assignments. You must attend to earn participation credit.
Lab Exercises. We will conduct and analyze two labs this quarter. Lab reports will be due when announced and will be graded on content (80%), as well as writing style (20%). Reports that are handed in late will be penalized 10% if handed in before graded reports are returned (usually the next class meeting). Reports may not be handed in beyond this time, and a score of zero will be recorded for these missing reports.
Midterm Exams. There will be three midterm exams. Each exam will cover all materials since the last exam, including lectures, discussions, laboratories, demonstrations, and readings. The lowest of your midterm exam grades will be eliminated from the calculation of your final grade.
Final Exam. A comprehensive final exam will cover everything done in Psychology 100.

Course Grade

Your course grade will be based on the following weighted components

5% Class Participation

15% Lab Reports

50% Best two Midterm Exams

30% Final Exam

Course grades will be based on the percentage of possible points you earn:

A 92-100% B- 80 - 81% D+ 62 - 64%

A- 90 - 91% C+ 77 - 79% D 52 - 61%

B+ 88 - 89% C 67 - 76% D- 50 - 51%

B 82 - 87% C- 65 - 66% F 0 - 49%

Tentative Course Schedule and Reading Assignments

Jan 2 Introduction Chapter 1

4 Biological Bases of Behavior Chapter 2

9 Sensation Chapter 3

11 Perception Chapter 4

16 No Class - Monday Schedule

18 Consciousness and Learning Chapters 5 & 6

23 Memory Chapter 7

25 Quiz 1: Chapters 1 - 7

30 Thinking and Intelligence Chapter 8

Feb 1, 6 Lifespan Development Chapters 9 & 10

8 Human Sexuality Chapter 11

13 Motivation and Emotion Chapter 12

15 Quiz 2: Chapters 8 - 12

20 Health Psychology Chapter 13

22 Personality and Abnormal Behavior Chapter 14 & 15

27 Therapy Chapter 16

29 Social Behavior and Cognition Chapter 17

5 Social Interactions Chapter 18

Mar 7 Last Quiz: Chapters 13 - 18

12 Psychology Bowl - Review