Instructor

Professor Pacitti

Phone: 401.455.6112

Email: wpacitti@ccri.edu

General Psychology (CC) - PSYC-2010-371

* (The Human Experience)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes, including how they are affected by the organism’s physical state, emotional state, and external environment.  Understanding these processes can contribute to improving our lives and the lives of others.

General Psychology provides the basic survey for this science.  This course considers many aspects of man’s behavior and offers an opportunity to think about applying this basic knowledge to everyday life.  General Psychology also gives students the foundation necessary for a more detailed study of behavior in future psychology courses.

Human behavior is fascinating.  Although your study of general psychology in this telecourse will be self-directed, don’t miss the opportunity to appreciate what an amazing creature man/woman is by exploring all available resources, especially through the publisher’s web site.

To successfully complete the General Psychology telecourse it is necessary that you structure your time and devote an appropriate amount of time to read, watch TV videos, and review.  At the same time, remember to set aside enough time to do the written assignment.

ORIENTATION MEETING

September 14, 2010
6:30 p.m., Lincoln Campus, Room2424

EXAMS

In addition to the orientation meeting 3 exams are scheduled for students.  Attendance at these tests is required.

EXAM 1

Tuesday, October 19, 2010, 6:30 p.m., Room 2424, Lincoln Campus

EXAM 2

Tuesday, November 16, 2010, 6:30 p.m., Room 2424, Lincoln Campus

Exam 3

Final Exam: Tuesday, December 14, 2010, Room 2424, Lincoln Campus

Students who wish to contact me at any time other than the Orientation Meeting or the two exams may reach me through the Community College at the numbers listed below:

All students are encouraged to arrange times during my office hours to discuss their progress and answer questions not addressed in the syllabus, Office Hours will be given during the orientation meeting.

TELECOURSE VIDEOS

Telecourse Viewing Schedule

Videos of all telecourse programs are available for students who wish to review or make up a missed telecast.  If you wish to view a tape, come to the Learning Resource Center at any time.  Call ahead on the times the Learning Resource Center is open.

The schedule of programs for the Fall semester 2010 is included along with the reading assignments.

Dates Assignment Chapters / Pages to stress
(see schedule) #1 Why Study Human Behavior?
#2 Research Methods in Psychology		 Ch 1 pp.1-38
Appendix A A1-A13
(see schedule) #3 The Nervous System
#4 The Neuron & Neural Transmission		 Ch 2 pp.39-82
 
Sep 14 (Tues) Organizational Meeting
Room 2424, Flanagan Campus		  
(see schedule) #5 Sensation and Perception
#6 Consciousness		 Ch 3 pp.83-126
Ch 4 pp.127-172
(see schedule) #7 Learning: Classical and Operant Conditioning
#8 Learning: Observational and Cognitive Approaches		 Ch 5 pp.173-216
 
(see schedule) #9 Memory
#10 Language and Cognition		 Ch 6 pp.217-258
Ch 7 pp.259-275
(see schedule) #11 Intelligence
#12 Motivation		 Ch 7 pp.276-292
Ch 8 pp.293-326
(see schedule) #13 Emotion
#14 Infant and Child Development		 Ch 8 pp.327-343
Ch 9 pp.344-364
Oct 19 (Tues) Test 1
Room 2424, Flanagan Campus		  
(see schedule) #15 Adolescent and Adult Development
#16 Gender and Sexuality		 Ch 9 pp.374-389
Ch 9 pp.365-373
(see schedule) #17 Personality Theories
#18 Personality Traits		 Ch 10 pp.395-415
Ch 10 pp.416-431
(see schedule) #19 Social Cognition
#20 Attitudes		 Ch 11 pp.437-443
Ch 11 pp.444-453
Nov 16 (Tues) TEST #2
Room 2424, Flanagan Campus		  
(see schedule) #21 Group Influence
#22 Stress, Health, and Coping		 Ch 11 pp.454-474
Ch 12 pp.475-504
(see schedule) #23 Understanding Psychological Disorders, Part One
#24 Understanding Psychological Disorders, Part Two		 Ch 13 pp.505-520
Ch 13 pp.521-546
(see schedule) #25 Therapies
#26 Making Psychology Part of Your Life		 Ch 14 pp.547-583
Dec 3 (Friday) ESSAYS DUE In my office  
Dec 14 (Tues) FINAL EXAM
6:30pm, Room 2424, FLANAGAN CAMPUS		  
REQUIRED TEXTS

Discovering Psychology,  5th  ed., Hockenbury & Hockenbury, Worth, 2010
Study Guide for Discovering Psychology, 5th ed.

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT

You will be required to complete four 1-2 page reaction papers/essays, due by Dec 3.  Each essay should focus on one of the contemporary and  controversial issues listed below from the seven categories and include a discussion and reference  to the research employed to support your conclusions.

Biological Issues
  1. Are humans naturally violent?
  2. Are genetic explanations of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder Faulty?
  3. Does evolutionary Psychology Explain Human sex differences?
Research Issues
  1. Should Animal research in Psychology be eliminated?
  2. Does psychotherapy really help?
Human Development
  1. Do mothers who work outside of the home have a negative effect on their children?
  2. Does the divorce of parents harm their children?
  3. Are childhood inoculations a cause of autism?
Cognitive Processes
  1. Should Psychology Adopt a Theory of multiple intelligences?
  2. Do adults repress memories of childhood sexual abuse?
Mental health
  1. Is cell phone use and texting addictive?
  2. Is drug addiction a choice?
  3. What causes schizophrenia?
  4. Do multiple personalities (Dissociative Identity Disorder) exist?
  5. Is ADHD diagnosed too often?
Psychological Treatment
  1. Does drug treatment work?
  2. Is treating homosexuality ethical and effective?
  3. Does electroshock Therapy cure depression?
Social Psychology
  1. Is media violence harmful to children?
  2. Does the internet have psychological benefits?
  3. Is pornography harmful?

Your essay should be 1-2 typed pages, employing research obtained from your reading the text and searching the internet and library for the most contemporary articles, publications, essays, etc.  When citing published works you must always use appropriate references following APA format.  See handout for APA style for citing references from printed material as well as internet publications. These references should always include the author, name of publication, date, etc.

Each of the essays will be graded on a 25 point basis, and the cumulative total will be averaged with your test grades (each worth 25% of your final grade).

Please submit all four papers in hard copy at the same time.  Do not email papers as attachments.  Staple all four papers together and do NOT use plastic or other kinds of covers.  MAKE SURE YOUR NAME IS ON THE PAPERS!

Papers are due on or before Dec 3. Papers received after 12-03-10 will have 10 points deducted.

Hard copy of papers  (not e-mail)  should be mailed or delivered to me at the following address

Dr. William Pacitti, Psychology Dept.
Community College of Rhode Island
1762 Louisquisset Pike
Lincoln, RI 02865
TESTS

Students are required to complete three tests, a final exam, and 4 essays/reaction papers.  The tests must be taken at the Flanagan campus on the dates indicated in the outline.

TEST #1

October 19 includes material from videos and the text pages related to lessons 1-7 (corresponding to pages in chs. 1-5).

TEST #2

November 16 includes material from videos 8-16 and the text pages related to lessons 8-16 (corresponding to pages in chs. 6-9).

TEST #3

December 14 includes material from videos 17-25 and the text pages related to lessons 17-25 (corresponding to pages in chs. 10-14) (THIS IS THE FINAL EXAM).

GRADING

The final grade will be based on tests and assignments as follows:

Any student who does not take the two tests, the final exam and/or does not complete the written assignment will be dropped from the course and given a grade of WU (withdrawn unofficially).

Make-up exams must be scheduled within one week of original test date and must be taken during my office hourse during the day.  Office hours will be given during the organizational meeting.

Make-up policies:  if tests are not taken on scheduled days, 10 points will be deducted from total.

VIEWING INFORMATION FOR TV COURSES
Cable Channel Info

*Denotes Telecourse title

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