Psychology

Unit 1 Course Objectives - Scientific Inquiry: Perspectives in Psychological Science, Research Methods, Measurement, and Statistics

Unit 2 Course Objectives - Biopsychology: Biological Bases of Behavior, Sensation & Perception, Consciousness

Unit 3 Course Objectives - Sensation, Perception, and States of Consciousness

Unit 4 Course Objectives - Development: Life-Span

Unit 5 Course Objectives - Sociocultural Psychology

Unit 6 Course Objectives - Learning and Cognitive Processes

Unit 7 - Personality and Assessment

Unit 8 - Health, Psychological Disorders, and Treatment

Define Psychology as a discipline and identify its goals and evolution as a science.

Describe the emergence of psychology as a scientific discipline and how we use it to understand behavior and mental processes

Compare and contrast the value of basic and applied research.

Identify the steps of the scientific method of research. 

Identify the different careers and classify how careers in psychology improve people’s lives.

Compare and contrast qualitative and quantitative methods of research. 

Summarize the ethical standards utilized by psychologists during research. 

Compare and contrast the various measures of central tendency. 

Identify the existence of positive or negative corrections between two variables.

Identify and describe the structures and functions of the neuron. 

Recognize and explain the structures and functions of the brain. 

Understand how the nervous system works. 

Discover and assess the effects of the structures and functions of the endocrine system. 

Summarize the interactive effects of heredity and environment on human behavior. 

Discuss the varying ways psychologists study the brain.

Identify and describe the characteristics of perception. 

Identify and describe the characteristics of sensation. 

Analyze the stages sleep cycle and the functions of sleep. 

Distinguish the various sleep disorders. 

Evaluate the biological and psychological effects of the various psychoactive drugs.

Explain and debate the components of nature vs. nurture and evaluate the difference between continuity vs. discontinuity and stability vs. change. 

Describe and distinguish the various theories of development (cognitive, moral, and social). 

Determine the capacities of a newborn (reflexes, temperament, and abilities) 

Illustrate the physical and motor developmental milestones during infancy and childhood. 

Understand the linguistic and perceptual abilities of infants and children. 

Relate the role of the caregiver in the development of attachment. 

Explain the major physical and social changes during adolescence. 

Appraise major physical, social, and cognitive changes related to adulthood and old age

Differentiate between internal and external attributes of behavior. 

Compare and contrast the relationship between implicit and explicit attitudes and behaviors. 

Categorize persuasive methods used to change attitudes. 

Analyze how the environment and others can effect one’s actions.

Illustrate how group dynamics and leadership influence behavior. 

Discuss the nature and effects as well as how power, cultural diversity, and social structure relate to the defining of stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination. 

Summarize prosocial and antisocial behavior. 

Categorize factors that influence attraction and relationships  

Illustrate the principles of classical conditioning and identify examples of classical conditioning in experiments. 

Summarize the Law of Effect. 

Demonstrate the principles of operant conditioning 

Apply the principles of operant conditioning to experiments. 

Analyze the principles of observational learning and cognitive learning. 

Formulate examples of observational and cognitive learning in everyday life. 

Discuss types of memory and memory disorders & discuss strategies for improving the storage of memories 

Explain the role that interference plays in retrieval & discuss the factors influencing how memories are retrieved.

Explain how memories can be malleable & discuss strategies for improving the retrieval of memories. 

Define cognitive processes involved in understanding information. 

Define processes involved in problem solving and decision making.

Understand the different theories of personality and how change in personality occurs.

Compare the characteristics of personality assessment tests 

Understand the different theories of personality and how change in personality occurs 

Demonstrate the various problem solving strategies & decision making skills, and recognize the obstacles involved when employing each strategy, making decisions, and good judgments 

Understand the major theories on intelligence 

Comprehend how intelligence is assessed 

Identify the concerns of intelligence testing

Define the components and differentiate between the different ways of appraising stress. 

Examine emotional, cognitive and physical responses to stress. 

Examine behaviors that encourage good health. 

Differentiate deviance, adjustment, and psychological health as each relates to defining psychological abnormality. 

Categorize the advantages and disadvantages of diagnosing/labeling psychological disorders. 

Compare and contrast the various psychological disorders. 

Explain the historical evolution and proliferation of mental health treatments. 

Differentiate between types of treatment. 

Compare and contrast the types of Psychologists involved in treatment. 

Understand the correct application of various ethical rules in treatment and the interest groups that help enforce them.