Course Syllabus BEH225 Version 4

Course Syllabus
College of Social Sciences BEH/225 Version 4 Introduction to Behavioral Science
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Course Description This course focuses on human personality, motivation, learning, and cognition. The theories and insights of major figures in psychology are discussed. Neuroscience, psychological disorders, and therapies are also considered in relation to human behavior. Policies Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents: University Policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document. Instructor Policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum.

University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies governing your current class modality. Course Materials Morris, C. G., & Maisto, A. A. (2010). Understanding psychology (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. All electronic materials are available on the student website. Psychology as a Science Psychology is the study of cognitions, emotions, and human behavior. Psychologists are involved in a variety of tasks. Many spend their careers designing and performing scientific research to better understand how people behave in specific situations, how and why we think the way we do, and how emotions develop and what impact they have on our interactions with others. These are the research psychologists who often work in research organizations or universities. Industrial-organizational psychologists work with businesses and organizations to help them become more productive, effective, and efficient, and to assist them in working with their employees and their customers. Practitioners, typically counseling and clinical psychologists, work with individuals, couples, families, and small groups to help them feel less depressed, less anxious, become more productive or motivated, and overcome issues which prevent them from living up to their potential. How to Learn Psychology We all use the principles of psychology every day and probably dont even realize it. When we parent our child for doing something wrong, we are utilizing the learning principle of punishment or reward. When we get nervous right before we have to give that big speech, we are activating our autonomic nervous system. When we talk to ourselves in our heads, telling ourselves to "calm down," "work harder," or "give up," we are utilizing cognitive approaches to change our behaviors and emotions. This course is designed to give you a general idea of what psychology as a science is, how information is developed, what we have learned about ourselves, and how psychology is applied to help improve peoples lives. The chapters are organized so that you can get a better idea of how psychology works; from basic theories and principles, through research, understanding and explaining results. We also learn about the DSM-IV TR, the APA manual used by clinicians and psychiatrists/psychologists to diagnose psychiatric illnesses. The DSM-IV TR is published by the American Psychiatric Association and covers all categories of mental health disorders for both adults and children. The manual is non-theoretical and focused mostly on describing symptoms as well as statistics concerning which gender is most affected by the illness, the typical age of onset, the effects of treatment, and common treatment approaches.

Course Syllabus BEH225 Version 4

Week One: Psychology as a Science

Details
Objectives 1.1 Describe the development of psychology as a science. 1.2 Compare and contrast the various research methods in psychology. 1.3 Explain the diversity of human behavior based on gender, race, and ethnicity. Read the course description and objectives. Read the instructors biography and post your own. Read the Syllabus and course calendar & acknowledge. Read all posts in the Materials Forum and Main Forum. Post Your Bio Post Signed Certificate of Originality Post Acknowledgement of: Syllabus & Calendar, Grading Rubric, Policies, Getting to Class, Understanding APA resources in the Task Response Posting Post response to my Hello & Welcome Post in the Individual Forum Read Appendix A. (This will also be used in your Week 6 & (assignments). Attached to Day 1 post. Read Ch. 13 of Understanding Psychology. Substantively Respond to: (You are required to post 2 substantive messages on 4 out of 7 days. It is not a good practice to post Thursday through Sunday. In order to keep up with what is being discussed in the Main Forum & actively participate, you should begin posts Tuesday through Sunday.) DQ 1-Psychology has a long past, but a short history. What do you think this means? In your opinion, which person and perspective has had the most influence on the growth of psychology? Substantively participate in Discussion Question 2 Substantively Respond to: DQ 2- How do you think gender, race, and ethnicity have affected your behavior? Provide an example from your life, including workplace and social situations where you have observed people from different ethnic backgrounds or genders behaving differently in the same situation. How has this impacted your behavior in those environments? Resources: pp. 2435 in Ch. 1 of Understanding Psychology; Appendix B Complete Appendix B. See Course Materials Forum Chp 1-3 must be read to complete this. Post as an attachment. Read the Final Project Overview and Timeline in Appendix A Main Forum Day 4 20 Main Forum Main Forum Day 1 Day 1 Day 1 Day 1 Day 1 Day 1 Day 1

Location

Due

Points

Course Preparation

Individual Forum

Readings

Day 1 Day 1 Day 2 20

Substantively participate in Discussion Question 1

CheckPoint Research Methods

eCampus Assignments Materials Forum

Day 5

30

Final Project

Course Syllabus BEH225 Version 4

Week Two: Biological Basis of Behavior and Neuroscience

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Objectives 2.1 Recognize the relationships between the neural system and human behavior. 2.2 Explain the effect of hormones on a person's behavior. 2.3 Describe the influence of heredity on human behavior. Resource: Ch. 2 of Understanding Psychology Write a 350- to 700-word essay in which you compare and contrast the influence of heredity and hormones on human behavior. Include in your essay a discussion on the 1-endocrine system, 2-identify the hormones and the glands responsible for secreting them, and define: genetics, behavior genetics, and evolutionary psychology. Format the essay consistent with APA guidelines. Post your essay as an attachment. Assignment Brain Response of Behavior Resources: Appendix C; pp. 51-67 in Ch. 2 of Understanding Psychology Complete Appendix C. Note. There are three pages in Appendix C. Complete Parts IIII to fulfill the assignment. Post as an attachment. Not APA. Note. There are three pages in Appendix C. Complete Parts IIII to fulfill the assignment Final Project Select the person you will interview for the project and get their permission for the interview. eCampus Assignments Day 7 100 eCampus Assignments Day 4 30

Location

Due
Day 1

Points

CheckPoint Heredity and Hormones

Day 1

Course Syllabus BEH225 Version 4

Week Three: Learning and Memory

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Objectives 3.1 Compare and contrast classical and operant conditioning. 3.2 Explain the process of learning based on the information processing model of memory. 3.3 Compare early and contemporary theories of intelligence. 3.4 Describe the characteristics of a good measure of intelligence. Read Ch. 57 of Understanding Psychology. Substantively Respond to: (You are required to post 2
substantive messages on 4 out of 7 days. It is not a good practice to post Thursday through Sunday. In order to keep up with what is being discussed in the Main Forum & actively participate, you should begin posts Tuesday through Sunday.)

Location

Due

Points

Readings Substantively participate in Discussion Question 1

Materials Forum Main Forum

Day 1 Day 2 20

DQ 1- Provide one example each of classical and operant conditioning you have applied or seen applied in your current or previous job and at home. Identify the stimulus and response & reinforcers in each case. Which type learning theory would you prefer and why? What are the benefits of understanding these approaches to your personally? Use practical examples to explain your answers. Substantively participate in Discussion Question 2 Substantively Respond to: DQ 2-Think about the last time you attended a lecture or were in a classroom. Applying the Information Processing Model, why did some things make it into your short-term memory and some things into your long-term memory? How can knowing this process increase your learning potential (be specific)? How would you reduce (what would you do) the likelihood of forgetting important information (be specific)? Resources: Ch. 7 of Understanding Psychology Consider the following scenario: Since you are a successful college student, you have been asked by a former high school teacher to address his/her class on the topic of human intelligence. Create a presentation in Microsoft PowerPoint that consists of 7 to 10 slides and detailed speaker notes to addresses the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. Title Slide Introduction What is intelligence? Compare the early and contemporary theories of intelligence. 5. How do we measure intelligence? 6. What are the characteristics of a good intelligence test? 7. Conclusion Day 1 Main Forum Day 4 20

CheckPoint Intelligence Presentation

eCampus

Course Syllabus BEH225 Version 4 8. Reference slide Note: Each slide has mandatory Presenter notes Format citations of original works within the presentation consistent with APA guidelines. Post as an Attachment: Final Project Review interview questions relating to memory, learning, and intelligence. Assignments Day 5 30

Course Syllabus BEH225 Version 4

Week Four: Cognition and Intelligence

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Objectives 4.1 Apply problem-solving techniques. 4.2 Recognize ones use of problem-solving techniques. 4.3 Illustrate the contributions of Skinner to learning and operant conditioning. Resource: Ch. 5 of Understanding Psychology Write a 200- to 300-word editorial for your local newspaper summarizing Skinners research and contributions to psychology (NOT APA). You should discuss: Operant conditioning Punishment Reinforcement Superstitious behavior eCampus Assignments Main Forum Day 4 30 Main Forum

Location

Due

Points

CheckPoint Skinner Article

Post as attachment Assignment Problem-Solving Simulation Resources: pp. 224233 in Ch. 7 of Understanding Psychology; website: Problem Solving Simulation located on the your student webpage. Review the section in your text on problem-solving. As you review, consider the following question: Do you use a problem-solving process? Complete the Supplement: Problem Solving Simulation in the Materials Forum. Answer the following questions in 100 to 200 words each & use these as Headings for your paper: 1. How did you interpret the problem? 2. What strategy did you use and how did you evaluate your progress? 3. Did you encounter any obstacles while solving the problem? 4. Were you aware of this thought process as you worked through the problem? Post as attachment Final Project Review Appendix A & Review interview questions relating to cognition and problem solving.

eCampus Assignments

Day 7

100

Course Syllabus BEH225 Version 4

Week Five: Motivation and Emotion

Details
Objectives 5.1 Describe how motive and emotion direct behavior. 5.2 Recognize the influence of gender and culture on emotion. 5.3 Differentiate between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Read Ch. 8 & 10 of Understanding Psychology & http://www.psychologyandsociety.com/motivation.html Substantively Respond to: (You are required to post 2
substantive messages on 4 out of 7 days. It is not a good practice to post Thursday through Sunday. In order to keep up with what is being discussed in the Main Forum & actively participate, you should begin posts Tuesday through Sunday.)

Location

Due

Points

Readings

Substantively participate in Discussion Question 1

Main Forum

Day 2

20

Based on what you have learned regarding expressions and emotion in Ch. 8, discuss the following scenario: A. DQ 1- What have you learned about the influence of gender on emotion? Respond to this from your experience in the workplace and outside the workplace. Support your responses with theory from you readings. Substantively participate in Discussion Question 2 Substantively Respond to: DQ 2- What have you learned about the influence of culture on emotion? Respond to this from your experience in the workplace and outside the workplace. Provide an example of how culture influences emotion. Support your responses with theory from you readings. Consider and discuss your view of the following question: Is it possible for a manager to motivate an employee? Write a 350- to 700-word paper explaining your answer in terms of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Be sure to include an introduction, a Conclusion It is essential in this submission that you support your view with theory. Note: Not APA style. Post as attachment Final Project Review interview questions relating to motivation and the effects of gender and culture on emotions. Main Forum Day 4 20

CheckPoint Motivating Employees

eCampus Assignments

Day 5

30

Course Syllabus BEH225 Version 4

Week Six: Personality

Details
Objectives 6.1 Examine the contributions of Freud, Jung, and Rogers to the understanding of personality and to psychology as a field. 6.2 Compare and contrast the personality theories proposed by different psychologists. Submit the following (Note: Do not complete the interview only create an outline). Show sections. Introduction/Background 1. Description of interviewee: age, gender, ethnicity socioeconomic status, marital status & type of work. 2. List of interview questions as presented in Appendix A-V4 plus any you have added. 3. Permission of interviewee for the interview evidenced by a simple statement by you to this effect. Do not use last names of your interviewee. 4. Why the candidate was selected Section I Memory & Learning Processes: (What does your interviewee do to recall; (Visual or Written or verbal) Section II Cognition & Problem Solving: (Process information & Strategies) Section III Motivation: (Intrinsic or extrinsic or both-give samples) Section IV Intelligence: Measurement & Assessment Section V Personality: Influences of Race, Gender and Ethnicity on Personality Development & Ethnicity Post as Attachment-NOT APA CheckPoint 2 Personality Assessment and Theories Resource: Ch. 10 of Understanding Psychology Complete the following test located at http://similarminds.com/jung_word.html in the Materials Section-SUPPLEMENT: Personality Tests Questionnaire only after reading Chp 10. Write a 350- to 700-word summary of the personality assessment methods discussed in Ch. 10 of Understanding Psychology. NOT APA style but you must include the following: A discussion of how personality assessments and personality theories correspond. In other words, identify which theories relate to which assessments 1. Psychodynamic, Humanistic & Cognitive Theories/Tests. 2. Identification of the online test as either an objective or projective test.

Location
Main Forum

Due

Points

CheckPoint 1 Interview Outline

eCampus Assignments

Day 3

30

Main Forum

Course Syllabus BEH225 Version 4 3. Discuss your opinion regarding the accuracy of this test that you took. 4. Discuss the tests accuracy regarding your personality. Post as Attachment Assignment Overview of Theorists Contributions & TV Character Evaluation Resources: Ch. 10 of Understanding Psychology; Appendix D Complete Appendix D. Begin early as this will take you some time to complete. Two Parts: Complete Appendix D: Two Parts. Part I is to discuss the contributions of Freud, Jung and Rogers & identify and differentiate their theories; Part II is describing 3 favorite TV characters personalities based on the point of view of each of these theorists. Post as an attachment utilizing Appendix D Review Interview Questions relating to Personality

eCampus Assignments Materials Forum

Day 5

30

eCampus Assignments

Day 7

100

Final Project

Course Syllabus BEH225 Version 4

Week Seven: Social Psychology

Details
Objectives 7.1 Describe the influence of society on the behavior of an individual and a group. 7.2 Compare and contrast the factors that play a role in how we judge others. 7.3 Explain how attitudes are developed. Read Ch. 12-14 of Understanding Psychology. Substantively Respond to: (You are required to post 2 substantive messages on 4 out of 7 days. It is not a good practice to post Thursday through Sunday. In order to keep up with what is being discussed in the Main Forum & actively participate, you should begin posts Tuesday through Sunday.) DQ 1-Think about two aspects of your life that you have strong attitudes towards, including one negative and one positive. Consider your present or past workplace and a personal setting. Present and discuss & include: 1-When do you believe these attitudes were formed? 2-Why? 3-How might you work to change negative attitudes in your life? (Use your readings to support how you can change.) Substantively Respond to: Earlier in the course we discussed how someones inherent traits (Ch. 10)such as race, gender, and ethnicityaffect behavior. This week, discuss how sociological factors (Ch. 14) affect a persons behavior. DQ 2-What sociological factors do you believe affect your behavior the most & why? Include an example from a current or past workplace and a nonworkplace example (Use Theory) Resource: Ch. 14 of Understanding Psychology Answer the following questions in 100 to 200 words each: Use these as headings. 1. What are the different ways in which we evaluate people? 2. How do these factors play a role in our expectations of other people? 3. What are the disadvantages of these expectations? You must include in your discussion the following: Schema, Primacy Effect, stereotyping, influences of physical attractiveness, Proximity, Similarities, SelfDisclosure & Reciprocity Post as Attachment Final Project Complete the interview. Materials Forum Main Forum Day 1 Day 2 20

Location

Due

Points

Readings Substantively participate in Discussion Question 1

Substantively participate in Discussion Question 2

Main Forum

Day 4

20

CheckPoint Evaluation and Judgment

eCampus Assignments

Day 5

30

Course Syllabus BEH225 Version 4

Week Eight: Psychological Disorders and Therapies

Details
Objectives 8.1 Differentiate between the characteristics of various psychological disorders. 8.2 Discuss the effectiveness of psychotherapy. Resource: Ch. 12 of Understanding Psychology Consider the following scenario: The local community college that you work for is planning a seminar on common psychological disorders and has asked you to organize a presentation. Create a 10- to 12-slide presentation in Microsoft PowerPoint in which you address the following: The various types of disorders (include each of the following) Mood Disorders Anxiety Disorders Psychosomatic Disorders Somatoform Disorders Dissociative Disorders Sexual & Gender-Identity Disorders Personality Disorders Schizophrenic Disorders Childhood Disorders At least one example of each disorder; A brief explanation of the symptoms, causes, and treatment for each of your examples. Format citations of original works within the presentation consistent with APA guidelines. Post as Attachment Assignment Diagnosis and Treatment Resources: Ch. 12-13 of Understanding Psychology Also see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DSM-IV_Codes Choose one of the psychological disorders discussed in Ch. 12 (See above). Based on Chps. 12 & 13 (Therapies): Write a 750- to 1,050-word paper in which you briefly describing the disorder and detail the current trends in: 1-diagnosis/symptoms, 2- causes, 3-specific treatment (medication/therapy types) for the disorder you have chosen. Use these as your headings. Format the essay consistent with APA guidelines. Post your essay as an attachment. Final Project: Submit a copy of your rough draft interview to the eCampus Assignments Day 7 100 Materials Forum eCampus Assignments Materials Forum Day 1

Location

Due

Points

CheckPoint Psychological Disorders Presentation

Day 4

30

Course Syllabus BEH225 Version 4 Center for Writing Excellence

Week Nine: Interview Profile

Details
Objectives Capstone Discussion Question 1 9.1 Explain the application of psychology in everyday life. Respond to the capstone discussion question (DQ1).
(You are required to post 2 substantive messages on 4 out of 7 days. It is not a good practice to post Thursday through Sunday. In order to keep up with what is being discussed in the Main Forum & actively participate, you should begin posts Tuesday through Sunday.)

Location

Due

Points

Main Forum

Day 2

20

DQ 1-Do you think it is necessary for a person in your field of study to learn psychology and neuroscience? In response, apply this to your current or intended career and Personal Situation. Be specific-use examples.

Substantively participate in Discussion Question 2

Respond to the DQ 2. DQ 2-In what way(s) has this course influenced and changed your view of self and the scientific role that psychology plays in your life? How will this influence your career and personal life? Resources: Understanding Psychology; Appendix AV4, Instructor Posts and pp. 176182 in Ch. 5; pp. 187 200 in Ch. 6; pp. 259268 in Ch. 8; pp. 353358 in Ch. 10; and pp. 463471 in Ch. 14 of Understanding Psychology; Appendix A Submit your Interview Profile. You have chosen a person who is close to your own age, and interviewed that person to learn more about them. In addition to the interview, you were to compare and contrast the responses from your interviewee with your own responses to the same questions. You must report your findings in an informative-APA Styled 1,400- to 1,750word paper, and include the following elements: Memory and Learning (Week 3-Chp 5) o The learning and memory process. For instance, does the interviewee remember information more accurately if he/she observes the behavior being performed, or does he/she prefer to read how the behavior is performed? Does the interviewee prefer studying in a library, or at home where there are background noises and some distractions? Cognition and Problem Solving (Week 3-Chp 7) o When you are presented with a problem, what do you do first? Do you evaluate the problem, or do you try to fix the problem quickly without giving it thought?

Main Forum

Day 4

20

Final Project Interview Profile

Materials Forum

Course Syllabus BEH225 Version 4 o If you use steps in solving a problem, do you realize you are going through these steps or do you do it without realizing it? What steps & strategies do you use?

Motivation (Week 5-Chp 8) o Does this person feel he/she is better at tasks when intrinsically motivated or extrinsically motivated? Explain in detail both their and your responses. Intelligence Measurement and Assessment (Week 6Chp 10): o Has the person you are interviewing taken the Myers Briggs test? Report the results. Does your interviewee feel these results are accurate? Why or why not? Which experiences does this person feel contributed most in the development of his/her personality? Personality: Influences of Race, Gender, and Ethnicity on Personality (Week 7-Ch 14): o Does this person feel that he/she is selfmonitoring in regards to his/her attitudes? How or how not? What does the interviewee feel was the strongest influence on his/her attitudes? What role does your interviewee feel a persons race, gender, or ethnicity play when forming that persons personality and attitudes? Remember: Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines (Title Page, Introduction, Headings, Conclusion and Reference page. Be sure to include intext citations using your resources from your reference page). Post as an attachment.

eCampus Assignments

Day 7 by MidnightMST

250

Course Syllabus BEH225 Version 4

Review Discussion Questions

Week One Discussion Questions DQ1 Consider the following statement: Psychology has a long past, but a short history. What do you think this means? In your opinion, which person or perspective has had the most influence on the growth of psychology? DQ2 How do you think gender, race, and ethnicity have affected your behavior? Provide an example from your life, including workplace and social situations where you have observed people from different ethnic backgrounds or genders behaving differently in the same situation. How has this impacted your behavior in those environments?

Week Three Discussion Questions DQ1 Provide one example each of classical and operant conditioning you have applied or seen applied in your current or previous job and at home. Identify the stimulus and response & reinforcers in each case. Which type learning theory would you prefer and why? What are the benefits of understanding these approaches to your personally? Use practical examples to explain your answers. DQ2 Think about the last time you attended a lecture or were in a classroom. Applying the Information Processing Model, why did some things make it into your short-term memory and some things into your long-term memory? How can knowing this process increase your learning potential (be specific)? How would you reduce (what would you do) the likelihood of forgetting important information (be specific)?

Week Five Discussion Questions DQ1 What have you learned about the influence of gender on emotion? Respond to this from your experience in the workplace and outside the workplace. DQ2 What have you learned about the influence of culture on emotion? Respond to this from your experience in the workplace and outside the workplace. Provide an example of how culture influences emotion.

Week Seven Discussion Questions

DQ1 Think about two aspects of your life that you have strong attitudes towards, including one negative and one positive. Consider your present or past workplace and a personal setting. Present and discuss & include: 1-When do you believe these attitudes were formed? 2-Why? 3-How might you work to change negative attitudes in your life? DQ2 What sociological factors do you believe affect your behavior the most & why? Include an example from a current or past workplace and a non-workplace example (Use Theory).

Week 9 Discussion Questions Capstone Question: DQ I: Do you think it is necessary for a person in your field of study to learn psychology and neuroscience? In response, apply this to your current or intended career and Personal Situation. Be specific-use examples. DQ 2: In what way(s) has this course influenced and changed your view of self and the scientific role that psychology plays in your life? How will this influence your career and personal life

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