2.0.0 Intro to Psychology

What could be more important and interesting than learning about people? The main goals of this course are to acquaint students with the different areas contained within psychology, to provide them with some of the major concepts of each area, and to teach them how to think more critically and scientifically. Students will learn about what makes people think, feel, and behave in the ways that they do. Students will discover how the study of Psychology leads to improving one's motivation, improving leadership skills, becoming a better communicator, understanding others and making better decisions.

---

2.1.1 Section 1 Objectives
By the end of this topic, students should be able to:

• define the aspects of Psychology and recognize its effects on leadership
  
• summarize the most popular approaches to Psychological study and research
  
• explain how the study of Psychology is a scientific pursuit
  
• discuss the early approaches to Psychology
  
• compare and contrast early approaches to 21st century Psychological study
  
• classify the modern day study of Psychology into its different areas of specialization
  
• consider the ethical ramifications of Psychological Experiments
  

2.1.2 Section 1 Content

• Intro to Psychology
  
• Five Approaches to Psychological Research
  
• Psychology As A Science
  
• Functionalism and Structuralism
  
• Gestalt, Psychoanalysis and Behaviorism
  
• Specializations in Psychology
  
• Ethics of Psychological Experiments
  

2.2.1 Section 2 Objectives
By the end of this topic, students should be able to:

• define the function, components and effects of emotions
  
• define and categorize the different human emotions
  
• examine the relationships between emotions and physical, biological reactions
  
• summarize the effects of stress and it impact on the body
  
• Distinguish between positive and negative stressors
  
• practice and model techniques of Positive Psychology
  
• describe Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and its effects on human development
  

2.2.2 Section 2 Content

• Introductions to Emotions
  
• Categorizing Emotions
  
• Theories of Emotions
  
• The Effects of Stress
  
• Positive Psychology
  
• Introduction to Motivation
  
• Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
  

2.3.1 Section 3 Objectives
By the end of this topic, students should be able to:

• describe the factors contributing to intellectual development
  
• explain the different definitions of human intelligence
  
• organize the biological and environmental factors of human intelligence
  
• categorize and describe the 8 multiple intelligences
  
• employ techniques that build creativity and divergent thinking
  
• explain the three components of information processing
  
• state the different categories of memory
  
• summarize strategies for developing and improving memory functions
  

2.3.2 Section 3 Content

• Introduction to Intelligence
  
• Biological Bases of Intelligence
  
• Multiple Intelligences
  
• Creativity & Divergent Thinking
  
• Information Processing
  
• Categorizing Memory
  

2.4.1 Section 4 Objectives
By the end of this topic, students should be able to:

• summarize the definition and application of Developmental Psychology
  
• describe the components and contributors of prenatal development
  
• identify the biological and environmental factors of infant development
  
• explain how assimilation and accommodation affect a child’s intellectual growth
  
• discuss the key stages of Piaget’s Cognitive Development
  
• discuss the key stages of Kohlberg’s Moral Development
  
• discuss the key stages of Erikson’s Identity Formation
  

2.4.2 Section 4 Content

• Introduction to Developmental Psychology
  
• Prenatal Development
  
• Infant Development
  
• Assimilation and Accommodation
  
• Stages of Cognitive Development
  
• Stages of Moral Development
  
• Stages of Identity Formation
  

2.5.1 Section 5 Objectives
By the end of this topic, students should be able to:

• describe the conditions, requirements and effects of classical conditioning
  
• develop techniques of classical conditioning that can be applied in a classroom
  
• describe the conditions, requirements and effects of operant conditioning
  
• compare and contrast elements of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
  
• compare and contrast elements of positive and negative reinforcement
  
• explain the steps and conditions of the shaping process
  
• discuss how scheduling reinforcement can increase positive behaviors
  

2.5.2 Section 5 Content

• Introduction to Classical Conditioning
  
• Classical Conditioning in the Classroom
  
• Operant Conditioning
  
• Shaping Behaviors
  
• Scheduled Reinforcement
  
• Biological Limits on Conditioning
  

2.6.1 Section 6 Objectives
By the end of this topic, students should be able to:

• summarize the definition and application of Social Psychology
  
• discuss the positive and negative effect of stereotyping types of people
  
• list and explain the three components of social attitudes
  
• describe how behaviors can affect attitude
  
• explain how attraction can help form relationships
  
• compare and contrast the contributors and effects of conformity and obedience
  
• list the positive and negative effects that are caused by group behavior
  

2.6.2 Section 6 Content

• Introduction to Social Psychology
  
• Functions of Stereotypes
  
• Components of Attitudes
  
• Theories of Attraction
  
• Attribution
  
• Persuasion
  
• Conformity
  
• Obedience and Authority
  
• Group Behavior