Course Instructor: Dr Anna Taylor - anna.taylor@queensu.ca
In Summary:
An introductory survey of basic areas of psychology including perception, cognition, learning and motivation and their biological substrata. Also reviewed are child development, individual differences, social psychology and clinical psychology. Research participation experience is provided for students on an individual voluntary basis. Students are encouraged to participate in up to five hours of research experimentation. The course is based on a blended model where on-line learning is supplemented with a weekly lecture and small-group learning lab.
Course Highlights:
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Examine basic areas of psychology including perception, cognition, learning and motivation, plus their biological substrata.
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Attend live behaviour demos that you can replicate at home.
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Learn how to present psychology research in a variety of formats and to a range of audiences, from layperson to expert.
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Discuss and debate psychology with your peers in small, confidence-inspiring seminars.
Course Information:
Psychology is the scientific study of human behaviour, in effect the science of the mind. Humans interact with one another with apparent ease, relying on what seems at first glance to be an innate understanding of the actions and intentions of others. We are able to adapt our behaviour according to our physical and social environment, we learn to carry out complex and demanding tasks, and are able to acquire new skills throughout our lifetime. In psychology we thus attempt to understand, via observational and experimental studies, how humans are able to achieve such a high level of social functioning. While no social science could hope to teach us to read minds, psychology can and does help us to understand the extent and limitations of human – and animal – behaviour and capabilities. This understanding is vital from a fundamental perspective – who are we? Why are we? How do we fit into the animal kingdom? And it is also central to applied psychology, for example the development of treatments and interventions for so-called "abnormal" behaviours and clinical disorders such as schizophrenia or clinical depression.
Because psychology draws heavily on related disciplines such as biology, sociology, anthropology and philosophy, this course provides a valuable introduction to many fields of academic interest, making it useful not only for students who are interested in pursuing further psychological or physiological study in their second year and beyond, but also for those students interested in gaining a general introduction to science and scientific method.
Learning Outcomes:
PSYC100 provides an introduction to biological, social, cognitive, development and clinical sciences, and will enable students to gain a new appreciation of psychological findings and experimental methods across a broad range of topics. Within an exceptionally small group for first year psychology, students will be introduced to appropriate psychological terminology and protocols and will have the opportunity to put their newfound knowledge into practice in a variety of ways, including during class presentations and fun ELOs.
Experiential and Active Learning Opportunities:
Examples of previous embedded EAL opportunities for this course include: a visit to the Wellcome Trust in London, and direct observation of animal behaviors and cognitive responses in domestic dogs.
Prerequisites and Exclusions:
Prerequisite None. Exclusion PSYC101; PSYC102; PSYC103.
Course applicable to the following Majors/Medials/Minors:
BCHM (option) / BIPS (option) / COGS (option) / GPHY (option) / HLTH (depending on plan) / KINE (depending on plan) / LISC (option) / PSYC (core) + required for the Concurrent Education Programme (can be taken in year 2) + Health Sciences Programme.