Psychology High School Elective Course Outline

0.5 Credit

This course focuses on the study of human behavior. As an introduction to the field of psychology, this course includes consideration of psychological principles, terminology, major theories, careers, methods of experimentation, and practical applications. Special topics include personality development, problem-solving, group dynamics, and motivation.

Describe- The first goal is to observe behavior and describe, often in minute detail, what was observed as objectively as possible
Explain- While descriptions come from observable data, psychologists must go beyond what is obvious and explain their observations. in other words, why did the subject do what he or she did?
Predict- Once we know what happens, and why it happens, we can begin to speculate what will happen in the future. There’s an old saying, which very often holds true: “the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior.”
Control- Once we know what happens, why it happens and what is likely to happen in the future, we can excerpt control over it. in other words, if we know you choose abusive partners because your father was abusive, we can assume you will choose another abusive partner, and can, therefore, intervene to change this negative behavior.
Improve- Not only do psychologists attempt to control behavior, they want to do so in a positive manner, they want to improve a person’s life, not make it worse. This is not always the case, but it should always be the intention.

1- Welcome To Class

Welcome
Course Description
MLA Formatting Word 2007
MLA Documentation updates
MLA Citation
MLA Incorporating Sources

2- Introduction to Psychology

A Soft Science
Psychology Dictionary
Experimental Methodsv
Types of Research
Quiz: Introduction

3- History of Psychology

Aristotle
Medieval Thought
Rene Descartes
Mind Body Problem
Postmodernism
Behavior Analysis
Cognitive Science
Zoology
Ethology
Charles Darwin
Handout: History of Psychology
Quiz: History
Assignment: History of Psychology
Essay: Pioneers in Psychology

4- Why Study Psychology?

What do Psychologists
Who Studies Behavior
Cross Cultural Psychology
Science Characteristics
Advantages of Science
Disadvantages of Science
Silly Example of Science
Real Example of Science
Experiments
Surveys, Questionnaires, and Tests
Case Studies
Naturalistic Observation
Quiz: Evolution
- Essay: Major Fields in Psychology

5- Brain and Nervous System

Natural Selection Today
Physiological Psychology
Nervous System
The Neuron
Myelination
All-or-none and summation
Central Nervous System
Principles of the Brain
The Hindbrain
The Colliculi
Cerebrum
Hemispheric Specialization
The Endocrine System
Quiz: Brain
Worksheet: Nervous System
Essay: Brain Essay

6- Sensation and Perception

Psychophysics
Associated Sensory Systems
Comparative Sensory Systems
Vision
Audition
Chemical Senses
Skin Senses
Other Senses
Perception
Factors in Perception
Binocular Cues
Motion Parallax
Visual Constancies
Gestalt Psychology
Odor Perception
Quiz: Sensation
Worksheet: Sensation and Perception
Essay: Sensory Adaptation

7- Learning

7- Learning
Defintions of Learning
Spontaneous Recovery
Classical Conditioning
Time and Classical Conditioning
Ivan Pavlov
Taste Aversion
Autoshaping
Operant Conditioning
Positive and Negative
Schedules of Reinforcement
B. F. Skinner
Premack Principle
Primary and Secondary Reinforcement
Behavior Modification
Superstitious Behavior
Observational Learning
Pavlov’s Theory
Example of Conditioning
The PQ4R Method: Learning To Learn
Quiz: Learning
Worksheet: Operant Conditioning
Essay: Classical Conditioning

8- Memory

Process of Memory
Hermann Ebbinghaus
Amnesia
Mnemonic Devices
Stages of Memory
Theories of Memory
Summary of Memory Data
Repressed Memories
Schemas
Sensory Memory
Confidence and Memory
Norms and Heuristics
Handout: Memory Classification & Process
Quiz: Memory
Assignment: Memory Classification and Process
Essay: Three Stages of Memory

9- Personality

Personality
Sheldon’s Somatotypes
Studying Personality
Freud’ Stages of Development
Ego, Id, Super-Ego
Defense Mechanisms
Neo-Freudians
Learning and Social Learning Theories
Eysenck and Norman
Humanistic Theories
Quiz: Personality
Worksheet: Personality
Essay: Erik Erikson

10- Psychological Disorders

Abnormal Behavior?
Demonic Possession
Diagnoses
Anxiety Disorders
Mood Disorders
Dissociative Disorders
Schizophrenia
Personality Disorders
Quiz: Psychological Disorders
Worksheet: Psychological Tests

11- Treatment

History of Therapy
Course Description
Types of Therapists
Assessing Psychopathology
Transference
Client-Centered Therapies
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Biotherapies
AA and Therapy
Quiz: Treatment

12- Auditory System

Auditory System
Worksheet: The Ear

13- Scientific Method & Experiments

Scientific Method & Experiments

14- Neurotransmission

Neurotransmission
Essay: Neurotransmitters

15- Visual System

Visual System
Quiz: Final Exam

16- Course Survey

Course Survey
Handout: Course Survey
Assignment: Course Survey

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