Psychology I
Psychology I


Mr. Boardman
Room 119
Ext.115

Course Description
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. This introductory course will provide an overview of the discipline of psychology, learning, memory, motivation, social psychology, health psychology, and abnormal behavior.

General Goals
1. To think critically and objectively about the world around you
2. To grow intellectually, socially, and emotionally as you progress throughout the course of the semester
3. To develop a deeper understanding of yourself and others as you are exposed to a variety of psychological concepts

Thoughts on Behavior:
1. The only person that I can control is myself!
2. However, my behavior will always have an impact on other people--good or bad.
3. It is necessary for me to take responsibility for my actions.

Problem behaviors that will not be allowed in class include...
1. Interfering with another's ability to learn
2. Physically or emotionally hurting another person
3. Interfering with the teacher's ability to teach
4. Destroying property

Class Rules
1. Bring all needed materials to class.
2. Be in your seat and ready to begin when the bell rings.
3. Speak at appropriate times, using appropriate voice and language.
4. Wait for the teacher to dismiss you--not the bell!
5. Respect others, respect property, and respect yourself.
6. Follow directions and classroom procedures.
7. Do your own work!
8. Obey all school rules.


What will we study?
Unit 1: Introduction to Psychology
What is Psychology?
Fields and Approaches to Psychology
Research Methods
Ethics
Careers in Psychology

Unit 2: Learning
What is Learning?
Classical Conditioning
Generalization, Discrimination, Schedules of Reinforcement
Operant Conditioning
Learning by Observation
Cognitive Learning Theory

Unit 3: Memory and Motivation
Information Processing Model of Memory
Types of Memory
Motivation
Maslow's Hiearchy of Needs
Internal and External Factors that Influence Motivation

Unit 4: Social Psychology
Asch Experiment
Milgrim Experiment
Social Facilitation, Social Loafing, and the Bystander Effect
Group Think, Group Polarization, In-Groups and Out Groups
Prejudice and Discrimination

Unit 5: Health Psychology
Stress
Defense Mechanisms
Addictions
Healthier Responses to Stress
Promoting Health Thru Sleep, Diet, and Exercise

Unit 6: Abnormal Psychology
Introduction to Abnormal Behavior
Defining and Classifying Abnormal Behavior
Mood Disorders: Types of Depression and Suicide
Anxiety Disorders: Levels of Anxiety, Panic
Schizophrenia
Treatment


How will I be graded?

Daily Homework: (25% of your grade)
Homework assignments will typically include reading, section review questions, worksheets, and journal reflections.

Projects: (30% of your grade)
Occassionally, there will be assignments bigger than the typical daily homework assignment. Projects may include group presentations, Internet activities, and in-class group work. Your participation points for the online psychology discussion boards will be included in the project grade.

Classroom Participation: (10% of your grade)
You will receive full credit for classroom participation and behavior by…1) participating in classroom discussions and demonstrations, and 2) being an active participant, who stays on task, in your group when the class breaks into small groups.

Weekly Quizzes: (10% of your grade)
Each week there will be a 5-10 question “pop” quiz over assigned readings, lectures, demonstrations, and topics that have been covered on the current unit study guide. The quizzes will primarily consist of true/false, multiple choice, matching, and short answer questions.

Unit Tests: (25% of your grade)
There will be several unit tests throughout the course of the semester. Each test may include information from more than one chapter. However, before each test, you will know what chapters the test will cover. The tests will consist of multiple choice, true/false, matching, short answer, and essay questions. There should be no surprises on the test—use your current unit study guide to help you focus your study.

Grading Scale
Your average will determine what grade you will receive based on the following grading scale:

A 100-90
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
F 0-59


Classroom Policies and Procedures

Late Work: Excuesed Absences
If you have an excused absence, it is your responsibility to check the assignment board for missed work and to pick up any handouts or worksheets that you missed while you were absent. You have one extra day per day absent to make up missed work. Failure to do so will result in a 0 for any assignment not turned in on time. You must turn in any homework that would have been handed in on the day that you were absent. Failure to do so will result in a 0 for the assignment.

Late Work: Unexcuesed Absences
Please note that the social studies department has a policy which states that late work will NOT be accepted. In-class assignments and assignments missed as a result of an unexcused absence cannot be made up. You will receive a 0 for the assignment.

Cheating Policy
If you are caught cheating or plagiarizing on an assignment for this class, you will receive a 0 for the assignment that you are working on. You will also receive a detention and a call home. If you are caught cheating on an assignment for another class, your paper will be taken and you will receive a detention.

Classroom Procedures
The following link will take you to a list of important classroom procedures.