PSYC 1010 - Introductory Psychology

Credit Hours: 4.00

Objectives:

1. Describe the psychoanalytic theory.
2. Describe behaviorism.
3. Describe the humanistic theory.
4. Describe the cognitive theory.
5. Describe eclecticism.

Outcome 2: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to identify the basic structure of the nervous and endocrine systems as they relate to behavior.

Objectives:

1. Name components of the neuron (e.g. dendrite, cell body, axon, synapse, etc.).
2. Describe neural communication.
3. Describe how neurotransmitters work.
4. Identify common hormones.

Outcome 3: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to describe the overall development process from conception to death.

Objectives:

1. Explain how and where fertilization occurs.
2. Describe the three periods of prenatal development.
3. Describe the development of language.
4. Describe psychosocial development.
5. Describe cognitive development.
6. List factors involved in aging.

Outcome 4: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to describe the basic principles of classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and social learning/observational learning and describe the role of memory as it relates to learning.

Objectives:

1. Define classical conditioning and its major components.
2. Define operant conditioning and its major components.
3. Define social learning/observational learning and its major components.
4. Describe the three stores of memory (e.g. sensory, short-term, and long-term) and explain the processes of encoding, storage, and retrieval.

Outcome 5: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to describe the forces that energize and direct behavior.

Objectives:

1. Explain the concept of the unconscious.
2. Explain how the environment plays a role in behavior.
3. Explain how culture plays a role in behavior.

Outcome 6: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to describe causes of and reaction to stress, including physical and psychological adaptations.

Objectives:

1. Explain the fight-or-flight response.
2. Explain Lazarus’ theory on the cognitive responses to stress.
3. Explain how stress effects overall health.

Outcome 7: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to define the concept of personality and describe the major theoretical contributors.

Objectives:

1. Identify Freud’s concepts as they relate to personality development (e.g. structure of the personality, the unconscious, defense mechanisms, psychosexual stages).
2. Name some individual contributors to the Trait Theory and their major concepts.
3. Name some of the assessment measures used in studying personality.

• Communication: The graduate can communicate effectively for the intended purpose and audience.
• Critical Thinking: The graduate can make informed decisions after analyzing information or evidence related to the issue.
• Global Literacy: The graduate can analyze human behavior or experiences through cultural, social, political, or economic perspectives.
• Information Literacy: The graduate can responsibly use information gathered from a variety of formats in order to complete a task.
• Quantitative Reasoning: The graduate can apply quantitative methods or evidence to solve problems or make judgments.
• Scientific Literacy: The graduate can produce or interpret scientific information presented in a variety of formats.

1. Introduction to the Science of Psychology
   1. Research Methods
      1. Experimental Method
      2. Correlational Method
      3. Descriptive Research Techniques
   2. Schools of Thought/Theoretical Perspectives
      1. Psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic Theory
      2. Behaviorism
      3. Humanistic Theory
      4. Cognitive Theory
      5. Eclecticism
2. Biology and Behavior
   1. Neurons and Neurotransmitters
   2. Central Nervous System
      1. Brainstem
      2. Midbrain
      3. Limbic System
      4. Cerebral Cortex
   3. Peripheral Nervous System
   4. Endocrine System
   5. Brain Research Techniques
3. Sensation and Perception
   1. Sensation and Sensory Organs
   2. Transduction
   3. Perception
4. States of Consciousness
   1. Circadian Rhythm
   2. Sleep
      1. Stages
      2. Dream Research
   3. Other Altered States of Consciousness
      1. Meditation
      2. Hypnosis
   4. Psychoactive Substances
      1. Substance Abuse
      2. Substance Dependence
      3. Types of Psychoactive Drugs and Their Effects
5. Learning
   1. Classical Conditioning
   2. Operant Conditioning
   3. Social Learning Theory (Observational Learning)
   4. Cognitive Learning
6. Memory
   1. Sensory Memory
   2. Short-Term Memory
   3. Long-Term Memory
   4. The Process of Memory
      1. Encoding
      2. Storage
      3. Retrieval
   5. Forgetting
7. Cognition, Language, and Intelligence
   1. Problem Solving and Decision Making
   2. Language Development
      1. Structure/Essential Components of Language
      2. Bilingualism
   3. Measuring Intelligence
      1. Psychometric Approach
      2. Other Approaches (Multiple Intelligences, Triarchic Theory)
   4. Creativity
8. Human Development
   1. Heredity and Prenatal Development
   2. Stage Theories of Development
      1. Cognitive Development
      2. Psychosocial Development
      3. Moral Development
   3. Other Development Issues
      1. Attachment
      2. Temperament
      3. Socialization
      4. Physical Changes
      5. Puberty
      6. Aging
9. Motivation and Emotion
   1. Theories of Motivation
      1. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
      2. Arousal Theory
      3. Instinct Theory
   2. Hunger
      1. Eating Disorders
   3. Sexual Motives
   4. Social Motives
   5. Theories of Emotion
   6. Basic Emotions
10. Personality
    1. Sigmund Freud and Psychoanalysis
       1. Id, Ego, Superego
       2. Defense Mechanisms
    2. Neo-Freudians
    3. Learning Theories and Personality
    4. Humanistic Theory and Personality
    5. Trait Theories
    6. Personality Assessment
11. Health and Stress
    1. Sources of Stress
    2. Responding to Stress
       1. Physical Response
       2. Psychological Response
    3. Health and Illness
       1. Heart Disease
       2. Immune System
       3. Personality Factors
    4. Lifestyle and Health Behaviors
12. Psychological Disorders
    1. Defining Abnormal Behavior
    2. Mood Disorders
       1. Depressive Disorders
       2. Bipolar Disorder
    3. Anxiety Disorders
       1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
       2. Panic Disorder
       3. Phobias
       4. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders
    4. Schizophrenia
    5. Personality Disorders
       1. Antisocial Personality Disorder
       2. Other Personality Disorders
    6. Other Psychological Disorders
       1. Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders
       2. Dissociative Disorders
       3. Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders
13. Treatment
    1. Insight Therapies
       1. Psychodynamic
       2. Humanistic
    2. Relationship Therapies
       1. Group Therapy
       2. Couples Therapy
       3. Family Therapy
    3. Behavior Therapies
       1. Based on Classical Conditioning
       2. Based on Operant Conditioning
       3. Based on Social Learning/Observational Learning
    4. Cognitive Therapies
    5. Biological Therapies
       1. Antidepressants
       2. Antianxiety Medications
       3. Antipsychotic Medications
       4. Other Biologically Based Therapies
14. Social Psychology
    1. Social Perception
    2. Attraction
    3. Social Influence
       1. Conformity
       2. Obedience
       3. Compliance
    4. Group Influences
    5. Attitudes
    6. Aggression
    7. Prosocial Behavior
    8. Prejudice and Discrimination