Psychology 1000-001 (Online for 2020-21)
Introduction to Psychology
Welcome to the redesigned virtual Psychology 1000! We plan to make this year’s course every bit as successful as in previous years. Below you will find a course description, evaluation summary, lecture outline, and some study tips. Please take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the outline right now. Dr. Laura & I look forward to teaching you in Psych 1000 and wish you all the best for a great year!
Dr. Mike Atkinson
If there is a discrepancy between the outline posted below and the outline posted on the OWL course website, the latter shall prevaiL.
1.0 CALENDAR DESCRIPTION
An introductory survey of the methods and findings of modern scientific psychology. The following topics will be covered: history and methodology, biological psychology, sensation and perception, learning and motivation, verbal and cognitive processes, developmental psychology, social psychology, individual differences (intelligence and personality), and clinical psychology.
ANTIREQUISITES: Psychology 1000W/X, Psychology 1010A/B, Psychology 1015A/B, Psychology 1100E
Antirequisites are courses that overlap sufficiently in content that only one can be taken for credit. So if you take a course that is an antirequisite to a course previously taken, you will lose credit for the earlier course, regardless of the grade achieved in the most recent course.
3 lecture hours, 1.0 course
2.0 COURSE INFORMATION
Instructor: Dr. Mike Atkinson, Room 6316, SSC
psyc1000@uwo.ca
Class: Online
Office Hours: Wed. 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. EST
Instructor: Dr. Laura Fazakas-deHoog
psyc1000@uwo.ca
Class: Online
Office Hours: Thurs. 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. EST
This course uses a blended instruction model in which students must review and learn the main course material asynchronously, as well as to participate in synchronous discussion/tutorial activities via Zoom.
Teaching Staff
In addition to Dr. Atkinson & Dr. Fazakas-deHoog, there are a number of Graduate Teaching Assistants assigned to Intro Psych. The graduate students have been part of the Department of Psychology from 1 to 6 years. Teaching assistants will run the tutorials. Please feel free to address any questions about the lectures, the program, or psychology in general to them as well as to Dr. Atkinson & Dr. Fazakas-deHoog. The TAs also will hold office hours during the week.
Psych 1000 Web Site
The course website is located at:
Here you will find class information, study suggestions, links to other resources, etc. Please check it often.
Questions
Asking questions during lecture is an extremely important part of learning. I strongly encourage you to ask a question whenever you require clarification on an issue, or have an observation to make yourself. Please post any questions to the “Questions” discussion in the Forums. Note: Routine questions such as ―Where is the exam? What chapters are covered for the midterm?, etc., may already be addressed on the FAQ portion of the course website.
A Note About Your Well-Being
Students who are in emotional/mental distress should refer to Mental Health@Western
http://www.uwo.ca/uwocom/mentalhealth/ for a complete list of options about how to obtain help.
Please contact the course instructor if you require material in an alternate format or if you require any other arrangements to make this course more accessible to you. You may also wish to contact Student Accessibility Services (formerly known as Services for Students with Disabilities) at 519-661-2147.
3.0 TEXTBOOK/READINGS
Required Text: Passer, M.W., Smith, R.E., Atkinson, M.L., & Mitchell, J.B., (2020). Psychology: Frontiers and Applications. Seventh Canadian Edition. Toronto: McGraw Hill Ryerson.
Note: this text comes shrink-wrapped with a passkey for the
CONNECT website and the Ask Dr. Mike book.
Also, it is important to purchase the 7th edition—it has content that is
not available in earlier editions and you will need the CONNECT code.
Recommended: Ellis, Toft & Dawson (2012). Becoming a Master
Student. Nelson
4.0 COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course is an introductory level survey of the methods and findings of modern scientific psychology. The goal is to provide students with an overview of various topic domains within the realm of psychology. As such, students will be exposed to diverse theoretical viewpoints and various methods and procedures for the scientific investigation of psychological issues. Note: Modern psychology is scientific in nature. Consequently, we will spend a lot of time discussing science-related topics such as research design, neural functioning, sensory mechanisms, brain structure, etc.
4.1 STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Each chapter in the text covers a major interest area in psychology. By the end of this course, the successful student will be able to:
- Identify the major concepts, theories and topics in Psychology
- Distinguish between and identify the relative strengths and weaknesses of various theories in Psychology
- Apply concepts and theories from Psychology to everyday problems
- Interpret statistical information presented in tables or graphs
- Ask questions about topics in Psychology
- Apply DSM criteria to provide the most plausible diagnosis for a set of psychological problems
Identify common research designs used in Psychology
Learning Outcomes, Activities and Assessment
|
Learning Outcome |
Learning Activity |
Assessment |
|
Identify major concepts, theories, and topics in Psychology |
Reading & watching lectures, + CONNECT & tutorials |
Multiple choice exams & participation |
|
Distinguish between and identify the relative strengths and weaknesses of various theories in Psychology |
Reading & watching lectures, + CONNECT & tutorials |
Multiple choice exams & participation |
|
Apply concepts and theories from Psychology to everyday problems |
Reading & watching lectures, + CONNECT & tutorial |
Multiple choice exams, participation |
|
Ask questions about topics in Psychology |
Online discussions & tutorial |
Quality of posted/answered questions
|
|
Interpret statistical information presented in tables or graphs |
Reading & watching lectures, + CONNECT |
Multiple choice exams, participation |
|
Apply DSM criteria to provide the most plausible diagnosis for a set of psychological symptoms |
Reading & watching lectures, + CONNECT & tutorials |
Multiple choice exams, participation |
|
Identify common research designs used in Psychology |
Reading & watching lectures, + CONNECT & tutorials |
Multiple choice exams, participation |
5.0 EVALUATION
There will two tests during the year plus discussion posts, CONNECT work and tutorial participation. The Christmas test (Term test 1) will be scheduled sometime during the Christmas exam period (Dec. 11 - 22, 2020). This test will consist of 80 multiple choice questions covering both text and lecture material and is worth 20%. The Christmas test covers chapters 1 – 8, plus the Appendix.
The final exam will be scheduled during the final exam period (April 8 – 30, 2021) and is worth 30%. The final exam covers chapters 9 – 17 and will consist of 90 questions from both the text and lecture material.
Exams will be written in the following manner: During the Midyear Test period and the Final Exam period, you will be assigned a day and time slot to log into OWL. Once, you are in OWL, you will receive a randomized test from the test bank. Each student will receive a different exam. Each exam will be the same level of difficulty and covers the same chapters. Questions will be answered in a strict linear fashion. Once you move from question 1 to question 2, you can not go back to question 1. So you should answer each question as it appears. To get through all the questions in the time period allowed, you should spend no more than 90 seconds on each question.
In addition to the exams, you must complete a series of quizzes on the CONNECT site (one quiz per chapter). The total value for the quizzes is 10%.
Discussions and tutorial participation also count towards your final grade. Discussion are based, in part, on the content for the Ask Dr. Mike book, included with your text. Discussions are worth 20% and there are two in the first term and two in the second term. Details about the format and a grading scheme will be posted on Owl. NOTE: Discussion will open two weeks before the closing date.
Weekly tutorials count for the remaining 20% of your grade (10% per term, 1% per tutorial). For each tutorial, you will be asked to discuss topics related to the chapter we are currently covering in the text. The grading scheme will be posted on OWL.
Policy on Missed Coursework. If you miss an exam for a legitimate reason, there will one, and only one makeup. If you can not write the makeup for a legitimate reason, your grade will be prorated across the other components in that term (i.e., the value of the missed exam will be distributed across the other assessments). Missing a discussion for a legitimate reason will result in the discussion value being added to the other discussion for that term. For tutorials, you are allowed to miss one per term (we count the best 10 each term). For CONNECT there is ample time to complete the quizzes. However, missing a chapter for a legitimate reason will result in prorating across the other quizzes for that term.
Finally, there is a research participation requirement (see details on the Owl site). Please note that this is a Department of Psychology requirement and does not add marks to your grade. Failure to meet the research requirement will result in a loss of up to 10 points on your final grade.
Although the Psychology Department does not require instructors to adjust their course grades to conform to specific targets, the expectation is that course marks will be distributed around the following averages:
70% 1000-level and 2000-level courses
72% 2190-2990 level courses
75% 3000-level courses
80% 4000-level courses
The Psychology Department follows Western's grading guidelines, which are as follows (see http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/general/grades_undergrad.pdf):
A+ 90-100 One could scarcely expect better from a student at this level
A 80-89 Superior work that is clearly above average
B 70-79 Good work, meeting all requirements, and eminently satisfactory
C 60-69 Competent work, meeting requirements
D 50-59 Fair work, minimally acceptable
F below 50 Fail
6.0 ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION SCHEDULE
Mid year test: 20% Xmas Exam Period (Dec. 11 – 22, 2020)
Final exam: 30% Final Exam Period (April 8 – 30, 2021)
Discussion: 5% Discussion 1 due by Fri. Oct. 16, 2020
5% Discussion 2 due by Mon. Nov. 18, 2020
5% Discussion 3 due by Fri. Feb. 12, 2021
5% Discussion 4 due by Fri. April 2, 2021
Quizzes: 2.5% Chapter 1 – 4 due by Oct. 16, 2020
2.5% Chapter 5 – 8 due by Dec. 4, 2020
2.5% Chapter 9 – 13 due by Mon. March 1
2.5% Chapter 14 – 17 due by Mon. March 29
Tutorials 20% Graded weekly
Total 100%
7.0 CLASS SCHEDULE
Psychology 1000 Lecture Calendar
Topics will be covered in the following order during the year. Approximate lecture dates are given so that you can keep up with the readings and video lectures. Tutorials are synched to the Lecture topics. Lectures are intended to highlight certain areas of each topic -- there is not enough time available to us to cover all the material. However, you are responsible for all the material in the text. Please note that there is a fairly heavy reading load in this course -- we cover approximately one chapter every week and half. Thus, it is important for you to keep up with the readings.
WEEK OF CHAPTER TOPIC
Monday Sept. 14 1 Introduction/History of Psychology
Monday Sept. 21 2/Appendix Methodology/Data Analysis/Statistics
Monday Sept. 28 3 Brain & Nervous System
Monday Oct. 05 3 Brain & Nervous System
Monday Oct. 12 4 Genetics & Evolution
Monday Oct. 19 5 Sensation/Perception
Monday Oct. 26 5 Sensation/Perception
Monday Nov. 02 - NO CLASS (FALL READING WEEK)
Monday Nov. 09 6 Consciousness
Monday Nov. 16 7 Learning
Monday Nov. 23 8 Memory
Monday Nov. 30 8 Memory
DECEMBER EXAM ( Dec. 11 - 22)
Monday Jan. 04 9 Language & Thinking
Monday Jan. 11 10 Intelligence
Monday Jan. 18 11 Motivation & Emotion
Monday Jan. 25 12 Development ( Childhood )
Monday Feb. 01 12 Development ( Adult )
Monday Feb. 08 13 Behavior in a Social Context
Monday Feb. 15 - NO CLASS (SPRING READING WEEK)
Monday Feb. 22 13 Behavior in a Social Context
Monday Mar. 01 14 Personality
Monday Mar. 08 15 Psychological Disorders
Monday Mar. 15 16 Psychological Disorders/ Treatment
Monday Mar. 22 17 Psychological Treatment/Stress Health Coping
Monday Mar. 29 - Question & Answer
FINAL EXAM (April 8 – 30)
________________________________________________________________
LEARNING INFORMATION EFFICIENTLY
You will be expected to know the assigned chapters VERY WELL!
Many of the multiple-choice questions in this course are based on material from the chapters that is not explicitly covered in lecture. To be able to answer these questions correctly you will need to know and understand each of the concepts and processes described in the assigned chapters. This a major learning task and many students run into difficulties because they do not know how to handle this learning task efficiently.
Just reading the assigned chapters is NOT enough!
For most people the process of reading something, or even re-reading it, does not mean that they remember it. This is especially true for "heavy" course content such as that found in the psychology text. If you wish to learn the material from the text efficiently, you will need to approach it in a different manner.
Learn the text chapters using ACTIVE reading/learning strategies.
Strategies recommended for efficient learning of text material can be divided into three types: pre-reading, reading for comprehension, and post-reading.
- Pre-reading. Learn the headings and subheadings.
Instead of diving immediately into reading the chapter, spend a few minutes learning the headings and subheadings. The headings and subheadings tell you the important ideas that will be covered in the chapter. In the text they are laid out for you on the first few pages of the book in the table of contents. Look at these headings and subheadings, think how they have been ordered, try reciting them from memory, and then write them out on a separate sheet of paper.
- Reading for comprehension. Read a few pages and THEN summarize.
Don't try to read most of the chapter in one sitting. It is much easier to learn the material in small chunks. Read a few pages carefully and THEN make a summary of the important points. Continue doing this until you have summarized about 10 pages - then take a break. You can summarize by highlighting sparingly AND making marginal notes, or by making separate written notes.
Note that much of the information in psychology comes in the form of arguments. Here are some the important kinds of information that are crucial to knowing and understanding an argument: i) definitions of new terms, ii) essential explanations of the specific argument, iii) examples, iv) results of studies.
If you make separate summary notes, try using point form and keywords. This has 2 advantages: the notes are made more quickly and they are easier to read. As you record key terms and definitions ALWAYS relate them to the arguments of which they are a part.
- Post-reading. Test yourself.
After actively reading 10 or more pages in the manner described above, try reciting (i.e., recalling from memory) all the important points under each heading and subheading that you have studied. This will reinforce the ideas you know and identify those that you need to review. Doing the study guide questions and relevant old exam questions after you have finished the entire chapter can also be very helpful.
THE LEGAL STUFF
8.0 STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC OFFENCES
Students are responsible for understanding the nature and avoiding the occurrence of plagiarism and other scholastic offences. Plagiarism and cheating are considered very serious offences because they undermine the integrity of research and education. Actions constituting a scholastic offence are described at the following link: http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/scholastic_discipline_undergrad.pdf
As of Sept. 1, 2009, the Department of Psychology will take the following steps to detect scholastic offences. All multiple-choice tests and exams will be checked for similarities in the pattern of responses using reliable software, and records will be made of student seating locations in all tests and exams. All written assignments will be submitted to TurnItIn, a service designed to detect and deter plagiarism by comparing written material to over 5 billion pages of content located on the Internet or in TurnItIn’s databases. All papers submitted for such checking will be included as source documents in the reference database for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of papers subsequently submitted to the system. Use of the service is subject to the licensing agreement, currently between Western and Turnitin.com (http://www.turnitin.com).
Computer-marked multiple-choice tests and/or exams will be subject to submission for similarity review by software that will check for unusual coincidences in answer patterns that may indicate cheating.
In classes that involve the use of a personal response system (PRS), data collected using the PRS will only be used in a manner consistent to that described in this outline. It is the instructor’s responsibility to make every effort to ensure that data remain confidential. However, students should be aware that as with all forms of electronic communication, privacy is not guaranteed. Your PRS login credentials are for your sole use only. Students attempting to use another student’s credentials to submit data through the PRS may be subject to academic misconduct proceedings.
Possible penalties for a scholastic offence include failure of the assignment/exam, failure of the course, suspension from the University, and expulsion from the University.
9.0 POLICY ON ACCOMMODATION FOR ILLNESS OR OTHER ABSENCES
Western’s policy on Accommodation for Medical Illness can be found at:
http://www.westerncalendar.uwo.ca/PolicyPages.cfm?PolicyCategoryID=1&Command=showCategory&SelectedCalendar=Live&ArchiveID=#Page_12
The full policy for consideration for absences can be accessed at: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/Academic_Consideration_for_absences.pdf
If you experience an extenuating circumstance (e.g., illness, injury) sufficiently significant to temporarily make you unable to meet academic requirements, you may request accommodation through the following routes:
- Submitting a Self-Reported Absence form (for circumstances that are expected to resolve within 48 hours);
- For medical absences, submitting a Student Medical Certificate (SMC) signed by a licensed medical or mental health practitioner in order to be eligible for Academic Consideration;
- For non-medical absences, submitting appropriate documentation (e.g., obituary, police report, accident report, court order, etc.) to Academic Counselling in their Faculty of registration in order to be eligible for academic consideration. Students are encouraged to contact their Academic Counselling unit to clarify what documentation is appropriate.
Students must see the Academic Counsellor and submit all required documentation in order to be approved for certain accommodation. The self-reported absence form must be submitted before the exam/coursework deadline in order to be valid. It may NOT be used for absences longer than 48 hours; coursework/tests/exams/etc., worth more than 30% of the final grade; or exams scheduled in the December or April final-exam periods: http://counselling.ssc.uwo.ca/procedures/medical_accommodation.html
Students seeking academic consideration:
- are advised to consider carefully the implications of postponing tests or midterm exams or delaying handing in work;
- are encouraged to make appropriate decisions based on their specific circumstances, recognizing that minor ailments (upset stomach) or upsets (argument with a friend) are not normally an appropriate basis for a self-reported absence;
- must communicate with their instructors no later than 24 hoursafter the end of the period covered by either the self-reported absence or SMC, or immediately upon their return following a documented absence
10.0 Contingency Plan for Return to Lockdown
In the event of a COVID-19 resurgence during the course that necessitates the course delivery moving away from face-to-face interaction, all remaining course content will be delivered entirely online, either synchronously (i.e., at the times indicated in the timetable) or asynchronously (e.g., posted on OWL for students to view at their convenience). The grading scheme will not change. Any remaining assessments will also be conducted online as determined by the course instructor.
11.0 STATEMENTS CONCERNING ONLINE ETIQUETTE
In courses involving online interactions, the Psychology Department expects students to honour the following rules of etiquette:
- please “arrive” to class on time
- please use your computer and/or laptop if possible (as opposed to a cell phone or tablet)
- please ensure that you are in a private location to protect the confidentiality of discussions in the event that a class discussion deals with sensitive or personal material
- to minimize background noise, kindly mute your microphone for the entire class until you are invited to speak, unless directed otherwise
- In classes larger than 30 participants please turn off your video camera for the entire class unless you are invited to speak
- In classes of 30 students or fewer, where video chat procedures are being used, please be prepared to turn your video camera off at the instructor’s request if the internet connection becomes unstable
- Unless invited by your instructor, do not share your screen in the meeting
The course instructor will act as moderator for the class and will deal with any questions from participants. To participate please consider the following:
- If you wish to speak, use the “raise hand” function and wait for the instructor to acknowledge you before beginning your comment or question.
- Please remember to unmute your microphone and turn on your video camera before speaking.
- Self-identify when speaking.
- Please remember to mute your mic and turn off your video camera after speaking (unless directed otherwise).
General considerations of “netiquette”:
- Keep in mind the different cultural and linguistic backgrounds of the students in the course.
- Be courteous toward the instructor, your colleagues, and authors whose work you are discussing.
- Be respectful of the diversity of viewpoints that you will encounter in the class and in your readings. The exchange of diverse ideas and opinions is part of the scholarly environment. “Flaming” is never appropriate.
- Be professional and scholarly in all online postings. Use proper grammar and spelling. Cite the ideas of others appropriately.
Note that disruptive behaviour of any type during online classes, including inappropriate use of the chat function, is unacceptable. Students found guilty of Zoom-bombing a class or of other serious online offenses may be subject to disciplinary measures under the Code of Student Conduct.
12.0 OTHER INFORMATION
Office of the Registrar: http://registrar.uwo.ca
Student Development Services: www.sdc.uwo.ca
Please see the Psychology Undergraduate web site for information on the following:
http://psychology.uwo.ca/undergraduate/student_responsibilities/index.html
- Policy on Cheating and Academic Misconduct
- Procedures for Appealing Academic Evaluations
- Policy on Attendance
- Policy Regarding Makeup Exams and Extensions of Deadlines
- Policy for Assignments
- Short Absences
- Extended Absences
- Documentation
- Academic Concerns
- 2020-2021 Calendar References
Copyright Statement: Lectures and course materials, including power point presentations, outlines, videos and similar materials, are protected by copyright. You may take notes and make copies of course materials for your own educational use. You may not record lectures, reproduce (or allow others to reproduce), post or distribute any course materials publicly and/or for commercial purposes without the instructor’s written consent.
