Time Schedule:
John Eric Stewart
B CUSP 170
Bothell Campus
Surveys major areas of psychological science. Core topics include human social behavior, personality, psychological disorders and treatment, learning, memory, human development, biological influences, and research methods. Related topics may include sensation, perception, states of consciousness, thinking, intelligence, language, motivation, emotion, stress and health, cross-cultural psychology, and applied psychology. Offered: AWSp.
Class description
This is a survey introduction to the field of psychology—the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes, and the application of that knowledge in the service of human welfare. You will be introduced to the main sub-disciplines of psychology and the primary approaches to understanding human behavior, as well as to the constructive tensions within and between those approaches. Central topics include: research methods; biological factors; learning and motivation; stress, coping, and psychological disorders; personality and social factors; and human differences and similarities. You will develop skills and analytical frameworks associated with “psychological mindedness,” and the evaluation of sources and statements on human behavior and mental processes. That is, you will become better critical observers, thinkers, and questioners in relation to human behavior in a variety of contexts.
Student learning goals
Understand and apply central psychological terms and concepts in writing, discussion, and analysis of experience.
Recognize the differences and points of overlap among the perspectives of the different sub-disciplines of psychology, as well as the major theoretical approaches to understanding human behavior.
Formulate questions and strategies for answering them in a critical, systematic, and empirically grounded manner.
Locate and critically evaluate sources of information regarding human behavior.
Identify and apply principles and research in psychology to better understand themselves and their world.
Take responsibility for their own learning.
General method of instruction
Instrcution will take the from of lecture, class discussions/activities, some group work, readings and writing asignments.
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
There will 5 brief exams (50 points each) and two essay format writing assignments (50 points each). Fianl grades will be determined by the perecentage earned of the 350 possible course points.
Grades will be assigned based on the quality of performance on exams and writing assignments.
