Course number & title:          PSY 1:  General Psychology

 

Course description:                A three-unit course which deals with the fundamental concepts and principles in the study of human behavior, sensory modalities, perception, consciousness, motivation, emotion, and intelligence.  Social and abnormal behavior are also discussed.

 

Course objectives:                 At the end of the semester, the students are expected to:

1.      discuss the beginnings of psychology as a science, its scope, nature, perspectives, methods and fields;

2.      explain the development and structures of the nervous system;

3.      illustrate the mechanisms involved in sensation;

4.      discuss the phenomenon of consciousness and perceptual processes; and

5.      explain how motives operate as well as describe the dynamics of intelligence and personality.

 

Value aims:

 

Functional body of knowledge	Information literacy	Life-long learning ability	Problem solving skills	Effective communication proficiency	Capability for independent and team work	Christian values, ethical and social responsibility	National concern, global perspective
1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0

 

Course outline (time allotment):

 

1. The Nature of Psychology                                                                                 (3 HOURS)

1.2.    Scope of Psychology

1.3.    Historical Origins of Psychology

1.4.    Contemporary Psychological Perspectives

1.5.    How Psychological Research is Done

2. Biological Foundations of Psychology                                                                (6 HOURS)

2.1.    Neurons, The Building Blocks of the Nervous System

2.2.    Neurotransmitters

2.3.    Organization of the Nervous System

2.4.    Evolution, Genes, and Behavior

3.      Sensory Processes                                                                                            (6 HOURS)

3.1.    Characteristics of Sensory Modalities

3.2.    Vision

3.3.    Hearing

3.4.    Other Senses

4.      Perception                                                                                                        (7 HOURS)

4.1.    Use of Perception

4.2.    Attention

4.3.    Localization

4.4.    Recognition

4.5.    Abstraction

4.6.    Perceptual Constancies

4.7.    Neural Basis of Behavior:  Divisions of Labor in the Brain

4.8.    Perceptual Development

5.      Consciousness                                                                                                  (7 HOURS)

5.1.    Aspects of Consciousness

5.2.    Sleep and Dreams

5.3.    Meditation

5.4.    Hypnosis

5.5.    Psychoactive Drugs

5.6.    PSI Phenomena

6.      Motivation                                                                                                        (6 HOURS)

6.1.    Reward and Incentive Motivation

6.2.    Homeostasis and Drives

6.3.    Hunger

6.4.    Gender and Sexuality

7.      Emotion                                                                                                            (7 HOURS)

7.1.    Components of Emotion

7.2.    Cognitive Appraisal and Emotion

7.3.    Subjective Experiences and Emotion

7.4.    Bodily Changes and Emotion

7.5.    Facial Expression and Emotion

7.6.    Responses to Emotion:  Emotion Regulation

7.7.    Emotions, Gender, and Culture

7.8.    Aggression

8.      Intelligence                                                                                                       (6 HOURS)

8.1.    Assessment of Intellectual Abilities

8.2.    Contemporary Theories of Intelligence

8.3.    Genetics and Intelligence

 

Course requirements:            Departmental Examinations (Preliminary and Final)

                                                Graded Recitation and Short Quizzes

                                                Home Assignments

 

Grading system:                     Quizzes and Assignments  (60%)

                                                Departmental Examinations  (40%)

 

Reading list / References:    

 

* Smith, E.E., Nolen-Hoeksema, S., Fredrickson, B. & Loftus, G.R.  (2003).  Atkinson & Hilgard’s Introduction to Psychology.  (14^th ed.).  Florence, KY : Thomson Learning / Wadsworth Publishing Company.

Feldman, R. S. (1999). Understanding Psychology. (5^th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Plotnik, R. (1999).  Introduction to Psychology.  (6^th ed.).  Florence, KY:  Thomson Learning / Wadsworth Publishing Company.

 

 

 

 

Prepared by:   Roann M. Ramos, M.A.

                        Glody T. Reyes, M.A.

                        Department of Psychology

                        UST College of Science

Date:   June 2004  (Revised)