1st Semester, A.Y. 2011-2012
Course Code : SS102
Course Title : GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY
Course Credits : 3 units
Class Schedule and Room : Wednesday, 10:00AM-1:00PM, Room 101
Wednesday, 1:00PM-4:00PM, Room 101
Course Instructor : Marlon B. Raquel
Master of Arts in Demography (continuing), UP Diliman
Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences (Political Science), UP Tacloban
Consultation Hours : WTh, 4:00PM-6:00PM/Sat, 7:00AM-3:00PM at the Faculty Room
Contact Numbers : 553-9187 (C5); 839-1903 (Main)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is an introduction to psychology – a scientific study of human behavior, thought, and emotions which focuses on basic concepts, principles, and issues. Topics include the history of psychology and its relation to other fields of studies, biological basis of human behavior, sensation and perception, consciousness, learning, memory, intelligence, personality development, motivation and emotion, stress and health, social psychology, and abnormal psychology.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the semester, you should be able to learn the following four Ds (4Ds):
- Demonstrate an understanding of the historical foundations of psychology and its development;
- Describe the basic concepts, theories, and principles of psychology;
- Discuss the basic human processes such as motivation, learning, and personality and human development; and
- Develop a better understanding of many facets of humanity including you and the others.
COURSE OUTLINE:
One (1) semester is equivalent to eighteen (18) weeks, or its equivalent of normally six (6) school days a week, or one hundred (100) days (CHED Memorandum Order No. 40, Series of 2008).
Session #1 INTRODUCTION
Distribution of Course Syllabus and Orientation
Definition, Goals, History, and Branches of Psychology
The Relation of Psychology with Other Sciences
Session #2 PSYCHOLOGY AND SCIENCE
The Scientific Method
Research Methods and Statistics
Ethics in Research
Short Quiz #1: Session 1 Topics and Course Syllabus
Session #3 THE BIOLOGICAL BASIS OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR
The Human Brain
Neurons
The Nervous System
Transmitters and Reflex Responses
Heredity vs. Environment
Session #4 SENSATION
Vision and Audition
Vestibular System: Balance
Touch and Pain
Senses and Receptors
Sensory Cortex
Loss of Sensation
Short Quiz #2: Sessions 2 and 3 Topics
Session #5 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION
Session #6 PERCEPTION
Features and Theories of perception
Perceptual Thresholds
Sensation vs. Perception
Depth Perception
Illusions
Extrasensory Perception (ESP)
Short Quiz #3: Session 4 Topics
Session #7 CONSCIOUSNESS, SLEEP, AND DREAMS
Continuum of Consciousness
Altered States of Consciousness
World of Sleep
World of Dreams
Problems with Sleeping
Short Quiz #4: Session 6 Topics
Session #8 LEARNING
Definition of Learning
Classical Conditioning
Operant Conditioning
Cognitive Learning
Limits of Learning
Session #9 MEMORY
Definition and Types of Memory
Short Term Memory vs. Long Term Memory
Repressed Memories
Unusual Memories
Short Quiz #5: Sessions 7 and 8 Topics
Session #10 MIDTERM EXAMINATION
Session #11 THINKING, LANGUAGE, AND INTELLIGENCE
Nature of Thinking
Language
Definition and Theories of Intelligence
General Characteristics of Intelligence
Measurement
Problems of IQ Testing
Levels of Intelligence
Mentally Retarded and Gifted
Short Quiz #6: Session 9 Topics
Session #12 HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND PERSONALITY
Infancy
Childhood
Adolescence
Adulthood
Aging
Theories of Personality
Personality Assessment
Session #13 MOTIVATION AND EMOTION
Definition, Types, and Theories of Motivation
Biological and Social Human Needs
Sexual Behavior
Definition and Theories or Emotion
Emotional Intelligence
Functions of Emotions
Universal Facial Expression
Happiness vs. Joy
Emotions across Cultures around the World
Short Quiz #7: Sessions 11, 12 and 13 Topics
Session#14 PRE-FINAL EXAMINATION
Session #15 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Intrapersonal Phenomena
Attitudes and Persuasion
Social Cognition
Self-concept
Cognitive Dissonance
Interpersonal Phenomena
Social Influence
Group Dynamics
Interpersonal Relations
Interpersonal Attractions
Altruism
Session #16 HEALTH, STRESSS, AND COPING
Relationship between Health and Stress
Appraisal
Physiological Responses
Personality and Social Factors
Kinds of Coping
Stress Management
Session #17 ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
Abnormal Behavior
Anxiety Disorders
Mood Disorders
Personality Disorders
Sexuality Disorders
Short Quiz #8: Sessions 15, 16 and 17 Topics
Session #18 FINAL EXAMINATION
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Note: Submissions of academic papers and assignments beyond the deadlines will not be entertained/accepted/approved!
Major Exams – Four (4) major exams are usually given in a semester – prelim, midterm, pre-final and final exams. However, in this class no written prelim and pre-final tests will be given; only preliminary and final exams. There are other requirements you need to submit in lieu of the midterm and final exams which will be discussed below.
No prelim exam will be administered to you in this class. Instead, you will be submitting a Graphic Organizer in Psychology. A Graphic Organizer in Psychology is a mind map or a web of concepts explaining key words or points in psychology that we will discuss each session. You will be compiling different pictures or cut-outs from newspapers or magazines which could explain a particular concept. You may also write a song, poem, a short saying or statement similar to “tweet” of Twitter. In a short bond paper (or any clean, similar paper as long as it is 8.8” x 11”), paste the pictures and write a caption just below it. You can be creative in this task. You may use sign pens, crayons, colored papers, and other art materials, just make sure that you would be able to explain the pictures or cut-outs using different psychological concepts in each of the 8 major topics (from Session 1 to Session 9). There will be two deadlines of submission here. The first part (covering Sessions 1-4) of your Graphic Organizer will be presented on July 13 (Wednesday), 2011 until 6:00PM and for the second part (covering Sessions 6-9), on August 17 (Wednesday), 2011 until 6:00PM for both classes.
For the midterm exam (2-3 pages), a combination of different types of tests will be given such as multiple-choice questions, enumeration, true-or-false questions, essays, etc. This will be a 100-point test. The midterm exam will be administered on August 17, 2011 (Wednesday).
For the pre-final period, you are required to submit an academic paper. This will give you additional exposure to different undertakings in the field of psychology. Throughout this course, you will study and learn many different aspects of psychology – concepts, theories, issues and problems. Information from texts, lectures, online readings, and group discussions will enhance your knowledge on the development of mental processes and human behavior and how these affect individuals and the society in general. Think now of how you can apply all these in your own life.
You will be writing a 1,500-word academic paper about your own life considering the following questions:
1. What are the three most influential factors that shaped your personality? Explain the reasons of choosing them. Do you think your personality has changed over the years? Explain in detail. You may want to include your experiences at home, with your friends, in school, and other people.
2. Select at least three theories or principles in psychology which would support the significance of these factors in your development as a person. Explain each theory clearly.
3. Do you think your understanding of the concepts, theories, principles, and research methodologies in this course help you in the future? In what way your increased knowledge in psychology help you as a person – as a member of your family, as a student, a friend, and as a Filipino citizen – and in your future career? Discuss in some detail.
I strongly suggest using the American Psychological Association (APA) Style in writing your research paper. Use 8.5” by 11” bond paper; font size should be 12 if you use Times New Roman or 11-point size if you use Arial (Don’t use other font type!); one inch in all margins; double space; and with a title page. Contents of the research paper, e.g., format, will be discussed to you on the first class session. Submission is on or before September 14 (Wednesday), 2011 until 6:00PM for both classes.
For the final exam (2-3 pages), questions will be composed of multiple-choice and essay questions. Coverage includes but not limited to the questions on short quizzes and the midterm exam. Date of the final examination is on October 12 (Wednesday), 2011 for both classes.
Short Quizzes – There will be eight (8) short quizzes to be given for the entire semester. All questions are objective type. Questions could be enumeration, multiple choice, or true-or-false. No essay or definition of terms will be given. Each quiz consists of not less than 10 items but not more than 20 items. They will be given right after the lecture-discussion but the topics covered are those that have been discussed two weeks before. This type of test will measure your memory. Please be aware of the dates of the short quizzes.
Online Assignments – Four assignments will be given to you throughout the duration of the course. Assignments will be available two weeks before the deadline on our class website at http://tfvc2010.blogspot.com. Look for the link with the heading “ASSIGNMENT, i.e, Assignment No. 1, Assignment No. 2, Assignment No. 3 and Assignment No. 4” then click “General Psychology.” Deadlines of submission are indicated below. You cannot submit your answers beyond the deadlines.
Assignment 1 9 July 2011, 11:59PM
Assignment 2 13 August 2011, 11:59PM
Assignment 3 10 September 2011, 11:59PM
Assignment 4 8 October 2011, 11:59PM
Class Participation – Class participation will measure your involvement during discussions. This class is not designed for a one-way process; this is a two-way communication. Therefore, recitation is of vital importance. If there is something that is not clear to you, you better ask. You are free to disagree with me or your classmates even at the middle of my lecture. Exercise your freedom of expression. Just make sure you are able to defend and justify your position.
GRADING SYSTEM:
Midterm Grade: Final Period Grade:
Graphic Organizer – 30% Academic Paper – 30%
Research Paper – 30% Final Exam – 30%
2 Online Assignments – 15% 2 Online Assignments – 15%
4 Quizzes – 15% 4 Quizzes – 15%
Class Participation – 10% Class Participation – 10%
FINAL GRADE = Midterm Grade (40%) + Final Period Grade (60%)
TWO WEEKS after the final examination period ***
CLASSROOM POLICIES:
The moment you enrolled in the college, you agree to submit yourself to the school policies. Academic institutions are not social clubs; we have rules to follow.
Attendance – It is your responsibility to come to class on our schedule and on time. I will be checking your attendance regularly. Inform me early if you will be late or if you will leave early. Any one who gets a perfect attendance will receive 0.25-point bonus on the FINAL GRADE. Perfect attendance means being present in all class sessions. Those with excused absences will not be given the bonus grade.
A student who has incurred 11 hours of absences in a 3-unit subject during the regular semester shall be dropped from the roll and given a failing grade (Article VIII, College Student Handbook: The Fisher Valley College). The 5th absence will qualify you to receive a W/F (withdrawal failure) mark equivalent to a grade of 5.0. Necessary warnings will be given to you with excessive absences and names of students who have incurred 4 or more absences will be reported to the Associate College Director so that necessary notice can be given to the parents/guardian (No. 4, Policy Guidelines for Faculty).
Three (3) tardiness marks would mean one (1) day of absence. A student who leaves the classroom and stay out for the duration of the class period without the professor’s permission shall be marked “absent” (Article VIII, College Student Handbook: The Fisher Valley College). However, don't use this as an excuse for you to come to class late. This time allowance has been designed for working students and those who have children to take care of before going to school. Unavoidable circumstances like traffic are also given consideration.
Cellphone and Other Electronic Gadgets Policy – I strongly discourage you using your cellphones, laptops, and other similar gadgets while we are having class discussions. It does not only distract me; it is also annoying to your classmates who are listening to my lectures. You are expected to demonstrate respect to everyone and avoid disruptive behaviors.
Make-up Exams – I do not give make-up exams EXCEPT for serious illness or death in the family. Do not make other commitments on the scheduled dates of examinations. If you have your examination permit signed by the authorized school authorities and you fail to take the exam, you will get a grade of 60% or 5.0 on that particular exam. Failure to take the final examination because of unpaid tuition fee, on the other hand, would mean an INC grade. There is NO EXEMPTION.
Academic Integrity – You are expected to maintain academic integrity at all times. Avoid cheating during quizzes and examinations. When you cheat, you are making a contribution to the degradation of the quality of your college education. Plagiarism will not be tolerated as well. In every academic paper you submit, make sure that you cite properly the authors/institutions of your references. Claiming something as your own when you actually copied it from someone is a clear violation. Hiring someone to do your assignments, research papers, or other related works is also an offense to academic integrity. Any violation committed will have a corresponding disciplinary action as outlined in the College Student Handbook.
Index Cards - You are required to submit an index card no later than the 3rd class meeting containing the following information:
Front:
- Last Name, Given Name, Middle Name
- Student Number, Course, and Section
- Address (Provincial and Metro Manila)
- Contact Numbers (Landline, Cellular Phone, Email Address, Personal Website)
- Include a 1” x 1” recent photo PASTED (NOT STAPLED) on the upper right corner of the index card.
Back:
a. All exams, quizzes, and assignments
b. Attendance record
If you follow all these policies, you will surely survive in all of my subjects.
TEXTBOOK:
Myers, David G. (2007). Psychology (8th Edition). New York: Worth Publishers
REFERENCES:
Atkinson, Rita et al (1990). Introduction to Psychology. Florida: Harcourt
Kahayon, A. H. & Aquino, G. V. (1999). General Psychology. Mandaluyong City: National Book Store
Plotnik, Rod (2000). Introduction to Psychology (6th Edition). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth- Thompson Learning
Sanchez, Custodiosa, et. al. (2002). General Psychology. Manila: Rex Bookstore, Inc.
Newspapers, websites, movies, and articles/research papers
