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Course Outline

Course Name: Psychology: Introduction (PSYC 150)

Academic Period: 2023 - 2024

Faculty:


Faculty Availability:

Associate Dean:
Chris Irwin
chris.irwin@humber.ca

Schedule Type Code:

Land Acknowledgement

Humber College is located within the traditional and treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit. Known as Adoobiigok [A-doe-bee-goke], the “Place of the Alders” in Michi Saagiig [Mi-Chee Saw-Geeg] language, the region is uniquely situated along Humber River Watershed, which historically provided an integral connection for Anishinaabe [Ah-nish-nah-bay], Haudenosaunee [Hoeden-no-shownee], and Wendat [Wine-Dot] peoples between the Ontario Lakeshore and the Lake Simcoe/Georgian Bay regions. Now home to people of numerous nations, Adoobiigok continues to provide a vital source of interconnection for all.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

Humber College and the University of Guelph-Humber (Humber) are leaders in providing a learning, working and living environment that recognizes and values equity, diversity and inclusion in all its programs and services. Humber commits to reflect the diversity of the communities the College serves. Students, faculty, support and administrative staff feel a sense of belonging and have opportunities to be their authentic selves.

Faculty or Department Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Program(s)
Protection, Security and Investigation (24201)
Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (TC311)
Course Name: Psychology: Introduction (PSYC 150)
Pre-Requisites none
Co-Requisites none
Pre-Requisites for none
Equates none
Restrictions

Students who take PSYC 150 as part of their program of studies (see Academic Progress in MyHumber) may not take this course as General Education elective. Students who have taken PSYC 008 or PSYC 105 CANNOT take this course.

Credit Value 3
Total Course Hours 42
Developed By: Prepared By: Approved by:

Chris Irwin

Chris Irwin

Humber Learning Outcomes (HLOs) in this course.

The HLOs are a cross-institutional learning outcomes strategy aimed at equipping Humber graduates with the employability skills, mindsets, and values they need to succeed in the future of work. To explore all the HLOs, please consult the Humber Learning Outcomes framework.

  • A white tree with roots, branches, and leaves appearing in an orange and green circleEquity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
  • A white beaver appearing in a purple circleSystems Thinking
  • A white canoe rowing into a red circleCritical Thinking
  • A white bee walking towards the centre of an orange circleCollaboration
  • A white howling coyote in a green circleCommunication
  • A white beaver falling from the top of a purple and yellow circle to the centre of the circleStrategic Problem-Solving

Course Description

How many times in the course of a day do we wonder about human behaviour? We shake our heads and ask why the person in the car ahead of us cut us off. We try to explain why our boss blew up at a co-worker over an insignificant issue. We are challenged to explain the behaviour of those around us and, indeed, ourselves. Most often we do so using "common sense" based on our limited experience, our socialization and our own biases. Psychology examines human behaviour scientifically. This course will introduce students to psychological theories and a variety of psychological research topics, including the biological bases of behaviour, learning and memory, psychopathology and social attitudes and behaviour. Students will be encouraged to be introspective and to apply what they learn to their personal behaviour in order to gain a better understanding of themselves and others.

Course Rationale

Psychology is all about the study of people– understanding the behaviour, thoughts, actions and reactions of people, including ourselves. What we learn from Psychology can be widely applied, both on personal and professional levels. It helps us understand why we act the way we do and can show us ways of dealing with life's challenges more effectively.

Program Outcomes Emphasized in this Course

Protection, Security and Investigation (24201)

  1. Act equitably and justly with diverse populations.
  2. Develop and implement ongoing effective strategies for personal and professional development.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (TC311)

  1. Communicate effectively and educate patients, families, the community and other healthcare providers when providing TCMP practices.

  2. Access current and pertinent research regarding practitioner self-care to maintain a healthy practice.

Course Learning Method(s)

  • Case Based Learning
  • Group or Team Work
  • Seminar
  • Lecture
  • Online

Learning Outcomes

  • Compare and contrast observational and experimental research methods based on classic and contemporary psychological research.
  • Explain the usual purpose and the effect of damage or malfunction for key structures of the central and peripheral nervous systems, including neurons and brain regions.
  • Scrutinize the nature of consciousness to determine the qualities that distinguish different states of consciousness.
  • Propose solutions to sleep disorders such as insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, nightmares, night terrors, REM behaviour disorder based on knowledge of the stages and types of sleep and dreaming.
  • Apply frameworks of classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and social learning theory to explain the acquisition of specific behavioural patterns.
  • Apply the terms encoding, storage and retrieval to explain remembering and forgetting.
  • Subdivide the types of memory in order to develop strategies for improving memory.
  • Evaluate the criteria for distinguishing between normal and abnormal behaviour with respect to the individual or their community.
  • Analyze the causes and symptoms of major psychological disorders based on typical characteristics and individual cases.
  • Analyze organizational frameworks or classic research associated with 3-4 topics chosen by the professor from the following list: sensation/perception, stress/health, motivation/emotion, human development, IQ/intelligence, prejudice/discrimination/social perception, personality or therapeutic modalities.
  • Synthesize research findings on a topic in psychology for an assignment.

Assessment Weighting

Assessment Weight
Instructor-Created Assessments 20%
Test 55%
Final Exam 25%
Total 100%

Modules of Study

Module Course Learning Outcomes Resources Assessments
WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY?
  • Compare and contrast observational and experimental research methods based on classic and contemporary psychological research.

Chapter 1

  • Final Exam
  • Tests (Term Tests, Test #1: 15%, Test #2: 20%, Test #3: 20%)
BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOUR
  • Explain the usual purpose and the effect of damage or malfunction for key structures of the central and peripheral nervous systems, including neurons and brain regions.

Chapter 2

  • Final Exam
  • Tests (Term Tests, Test #1: 15%, Test #2: 20%, Test #3: 20%)
CONSCIOUSNESS
  • Scrutinize the nature of consciousness to determine the qualities that distinguish different states of consciousness.
  • Propose solutions to sleep disorders such as insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, nightmares, night terrors, REM behaviour disorder based on knowledge of the stages and types of sleep and dreaming.

Chapter 4

  • Final Exam
  • Tests (Term Tests, Test #1: 15%, Test #2: 20%, Test #3: 20%)
LEARNING
  • Apply frameworks of classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and social learning theory to explain the acquisition of specific behavioural patterns.

Chapter 5

  • Final Exam
  • Tests (Term Tests, Test #1: 15%, Test #2: 20%, Test #3: 20%)
MEMORY
  • Apply the terms encoding, storage and retrieval to explain remembering and forgetting.
  • Subdivide the types of memory in order to develop strategies for improving memory.

Chapter 6

  • Final Exam
  • Tests (Term Tests, Test #1: 15%, Test #2: 20%, Test #3: 20%)
PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS
  • Evaluate the criteria for distinguishing between normal and abnormal behaviour with respect to the individual or their community.
  • Analyze the causes and symptoms of major psychological disorders based on typical characteristics and individual cases.

Chapter 13

  • Final Exam
  • Tests (Term Tests, Test #1: 15%, Test #2: 20%, Test #3: 20%)
SENSATION AND PERCEPTION- may be selected by instructor
  • Analyze organizational frameworks or classic research associated with 3-4 topics chosen by the professor from the following list: sensation/perception, stress/health, motivation/emotion, human development, IQ/intelligence, prejudice/discrimination/social perception, personality or therapeutic modalities.

Chapter 3

  • Final Exam
  • Tests (Term Tests, Test #1: 15%, Test #2: 20%, Test #3: 20%)
INTELLIGENCE, COGNITION AND LANGUAGE- may be selected by instructor
  • Analyze organizational frameworks or classic research associated with 3-4 topics chosen by the professor from the following list: sensation/perception, stress/health, motivation/emotion, human development, IQ/intelligence, prejudice/discrimination/social perception, personality or therapeutic modalities.

Chapter 7

  • Final Exam
  • Tests (Term Tests, Test #1: 15%, Test #2: 20%, Test #3: 20%)
DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY- may be selected by instructor
  • Analyze organizational frameworks or classic research associated with 3-4 topics chosen by the professor from the following list: sensation/perception, stress/health, motivation/emotion, human development, IQ/intelligence, prejudice/discrimination/social perception, personality or therapeutic modalities.

Chapter 8

  • Final Exam
  • Tests (Term Tests, Test #1: 15%, Test #2: 20%, Test #3: 20%)
MOTIVATION AND EMOTION- may be selected by instructor
  • Analyze organizational frameworks or classic research associated with 3-4 topics chosen by the professor from the following list: sensation/perception, stress/health, motivation/emotion, human development, IQ/intelligence, prejudice/discrimination/social perception, personality or therapeutic modalities.

Chapter 9

  • Final Exam
  • Tests (Term Tests, Test #1: 15%, Test #2: 20%, Test #3: 20%)
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY - may be selected by instructor
  • Analyze organizational frameworks or classic research associated with 3-4 topics chosen by the professor from the following list: sensation/perception, stress/health, motivation/emotion, human development, IQ/intelligence, prejudice/discrimination/social perception, personality or therapeutic modalities.

Chapter 10

  • Final Exam
  • Tests (Term Tests, Test #1: 15%, Test #2: 20%, Test #3: 20%)
PERSONALITY- may be selected by instructor
  • Analyze organizational frameworks or classic research associated with 3-4 topics chosen by the professor from the following list: sensation/perception, stress/health, motivation/emotion, human development, IQ/intelligence, prejudice/discrimination/social perception, personality or therapeutic modalities.

Chapter 11

  • Final Exam
  • Assignment(s)
STRESS AND HEALTH- may be selected by instructor
  • Analyze organizational frameworks or classic research associated with 3-4 topics chosen by the professor from the following list: sensation/perception, stress/health, motivation/emotion, human development, IQ/intelligence, prejudice/discrimination/social perception, personality or therapeutic modalities.

Chapter 12

  • Final Exam
  • Tests (Term Tests, Test #1: 15%, Test #2: 20%, Test #3: 20%)
THERAPY- may be selected by instructor
  • Analyze organizational frameworks or classic research associated with 3-4 topics chosen by the professor from the following list: sensation/perception, stress/health, motivation/emotion, human development, IQ/intelligence, prejudice/discrimination/social perception, personality or therapeutic modalities.

Chapter 14

  • Final Exam
  • Tests (Term Tests, Test #1: 15%, Test #2: 20%, Test #3: 20%)

Required Resources

Name

Wood, S.E., Wood, E.G., Boyd, D., Wood, E., & Desmarais, S. (2020). The World of Psychology (9th  Canadian Ed.). Toronto, ON: Pearson Canada.  

This is available as an e-book, ISBN 9780135306772

 

Essential Skills

Section Skills Measurement Details
Communication
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
Information Management
Interpersonal Skills
Personal Skills

Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is the formal evaluation and credit-granting process whereby candidates may obtain credits for prior learning. Prior learning includes the knowledge competencies and skills acquired, in both formal and informal ways, outside of post-secondary education. Candidates may have their knowledge, skills and competencies evaluated against the learning outcomes as defined in the course outline. Please review the Assessment Methods Glossary for more information on the Learning Portfolio assessment methods identified below.

The method(s) that are used to assess prior learning for this course may include:

  • Challenge Exam (results recorded as a % grade and added to student’s CGPA)

Please contact the Program Coordinator for more details.

Academic Regulations

It is the student's responsibility to be aware of the College Academic Regulations. The Academic Regulations apply to all applicants to Humber and all current students enrolled in any program or course offered by Humber, in any location. Information about academic appeals is found in the Academic Regulations.  

Anti-Discrimination Statement

At Humber College, all forms of discrimination and harassment are prohibited. Students and employees have the right to study, live and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. If you need assistance on concerns related to discrimination and harassment, please contact the Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion or the Office of Student Conduct.

Accessible Learning Services

Humber strives to create a welcoming environment for all students where equity, diversity and inclusion are paramount. Accessible Learning Services facilitates equal access for students with disabilities by coordinating academic accommodations and services.  Staff in Accessible Learning Services are available by appointment to assess specific needs, provide referrals and arrange appropriate accommodations. If you require academic accommodations, contact:

Accessible Learning Services

North Campus: (416) 675-6622 X5090

Lakeshore Campus: (416) 675-6622 X3331 

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is essentially honesty in all academic endeavors. Academic integrity requires that students avoid all forms of academic misconduct or dishonesty, including plagiarism, cheating on tests or exams or any misrepresentation of academic accomplishment.

Disclaimer

While every effort is made by the professor/faculty to cover all material listed in the outline, the order, content, and/or evaluation may change in the event of special circumstances (e.g. time constraints due to inclement weather, sickness, college closure, technology/equipment problems or changes, etc.). In any such case, students will be given appropriate notification in writing, with approval from the Senior Dean (or designate) of the Faculty.

Copyright

Copyright is the exclusive legal right given to a creator to reproduce, publish, sell or distribute his/her work. All members of the Humber community are required to comply with Canadian copyright law which governs the reproduction, use and distribution of copyrighted materials. This means that the copying, use and distribution of copyright- protected materials, regardless of format, is subject to certain limits and restrictions. For example, photocopying or scanning an entire textbook is not allowed, nor is distributing a scanned book.

See the Humber Libraries website for additional information regarding copyright and for details on allowable limits.


Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning • 2023/2024.