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PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology

Section Number 70774

Catalog Description:

A general introduction to the principles of human and animal behavior. Topics covered include history of psychology, research thinking, intelligence, lifespan development, gender and human sexuality, motivation and emotion, health psychology, personality, psychological disorders, therapy, social psychology, and other related topics (e.g., industrial/organizational psychology, sports psychology, environmental psychology, forensic psychology). Emphasis is placed upon the relationship between general principles of psychology and their practical applications. CSU; UC; CAN PSYC 2 Closed Captioned

Instructor:

Karen Huffman

Class Meetings:

6:00-9:20pm
On the following Tuesdays: Aug. 23; Sept. 13; Oct. 4, 25; Nov. 15; Dec. 6
Room BES-1

Broadcast Days and Times:

Times and days for Cox Cable North -Channel 16 and Adelphia Cable North-Channel 67:
Tuesday Thursday 7:30-8:00am OR Tuesday 12:00-1:00am

Viewing Options

If this course does not air in your area or you don't have cable you have two options. The first option is you can check out video tapes from the Learning Resource Center on the San Marcos Main Campus Library or the Escondido, Fallbrook, Ramona or Mt Carmel sites. The second option is watching the lessons online. All of our classes are video streamed. For more information click here.

Class Outline

Course materials are available the Friday prior to when classes begin. Access your course outline, assignments, handouts and announcements, as well as view video lessons in Blackboard. Log in Blackboard instructions:

USERNAME: STUDENT ID #
PASSWORD: STUDENT ID#
(Unless you are a returning student and previously changed your password)

To log in go to: http://www.palomar.edu/pconline/

Textbook and Other Required Materials:

Psychology in Action, 7th Edition, Karen Huffman Student Study Guide to Accompany Psychology in Action, 7th Edition, Huffman and Hosey

Video Series Entitled:

The Human Experience

Video Lesson Descriptions:

1) Why Study Human Behavior?
Lesson 1 introduces psychology as a science of behavior and mental processes. It explains how understanding why we think and act as we do enhances our lives.

2) Research Methods in Psychology
Lesson 2 provides an overview of observational and descriptive research by illustrating how the scientific method is used to study the relationship between violent video games and aggression.

3) The Nervous System
Lesson 3 provides learning about the components of the nervous system and the methods used for studying the brain through the story of a hemispherectomy patient.

4) The Neuron and Neural Transmission
Lesson 4 illustrates how the brain communicates with the body by explaining what the neuron is, how it functions, and what happens to that communication when neurological disorders occur.

5) Sensation and Perception
Lesson 5 demonstrates how our senses gather information about the world around us. Perception is also covered in depth.

6) Consciousness
Lesson 6 illustrates how our consciousness and awareness vary throughout a typical day. It also explores the impact of circadian rhythms.

7) Learning: Classical and Operant Conditioning
Lesson 7 discusses Pavlov's classical conditioning experiment and how it demonstrates the process of learning by an association or relationship.

8) Learning: Observational and Cognitive Approaches
Lesson 8 discusses observational learning. The cognitive process of learning is illustrated using B.F. Skinner's research.

9) Memory
Lesson 9 answers the question of "What is memory?" and explains how our sense of identity relies on memories of personal history and connections with the people around us.

10) Language and Cognition
Lesson 10 explores the fact that most animals have the ability to communicate, but only humans have language, symbols for objects, actions, ideas, and feelings.

11) Intelligence and Creativity
Lesson 11 explores what intelligence means in different environments and cultures and discusses nature versus nurture and the history and biases of intelligence testing.

12) Motivation
Lesson 12 offers an in-depth discussion of biological and social theories of motivation, intertwined with Bandura's presentation on the role of self-efficacy.

13) Emotion
Lesson 13 asks the following questions: What are emotions? Are they learned or are they innate? Are they expressed in the same way throughout most cultures?

14) Infant and Child Development
Lesson 14 provides an overview of Piaget's four stages of cognitive development.

15) Adolescent and Adult Development
Lesson 15 explains the significance of peer relationships and Kohlberg's moral development theory. Erikson's theory on human development and Kubler-Ross' five stages of dying and death complete the overview.

16) Gender and Sexuality
Lesson 16 explores the distinction between the terms sex and gender and describes the similarities and differences between men and women.

17) Personality Theories
Lesson 17 explores the three major theories of personality-Freudian, humanistic, and social-cognitive perspective-by examining the life of the former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela.

18) Personality Traits and Assessment
Lesson 18 looks at the ways we can evaluate and assess the many parts of our individual personalities.

19) Social Cognition
Lesson 19 focuses on how people form impressions of others and how people's behavior is affected by attitudes.

20) Attitudes
Lesson 20 analyzes the formation of attitudes and how they can be turned into prejudice. It also explores ways to prevent prejudice and how to appreciate individual and group diversity.

21) Group Influence
Lesson 21 explains individuality, group behavior, and deindivduation.

22) Stress, Health, and Coping
Lesson 22 chronicles a breast cancer survivor who employs successful coping strategies to aid in maintaining good health in stressful situations.

23) Understanding Psychological Disorders, Part One
Lesson 23 presents research on obsessive/compulsive disorders, and examines the daily lives of patients with these disorders.

24) Understanding Psychological Disorders, Part Two
Lesson 24 examines Schizophrenia, its symptoms, and types. It asks the question: Can some people who suffer from this disease live a relatively normal life?

25) Therapies
Lesson 25 examines four different styles of therapy treatment for mental disorders and discusses the role of each style of therapy.

26) Making Psychology Part of Your Life
Lesson 26 concludes the series by examining how psychology can be applied to all areas of our lives.