Basic Psychological Processes PSYCO 104, A2
Spring 2020
Instructor: James Farley E-mail: [email protected]
Office Hours: Virtual, by appointment Lecture Time: M W 1:30 – 4:40 PM Teaching Assistant: Arturo Perez E-mail: [email protected]
Course Description: Principles and development of perception, motivation, learning, and thinking and their relationship to the psychological functioning of the individual.
Fulfillment of the 1/4 laboratory credit typically entails serving as a research participant, but can be fulfilled through the completion of alternative assignments. The course is a prerequisite to all courses in the department and is normally followed by PSYCO 105.
[Faculty of Science]
Course Objectives and Expected Learning Outcomes: The goal of this course is to introduce students to the discipline of psychology. Upon completion of the course, students should have a working understanding of how basic psychological research is undertaken, including the methodologies used and the major topics of investigation.
Required Textbook: Passer, M.W., et al. (2017). Psychology: Frontiers and Applications (6th Canadian edition, also available as a custom publication for the University of Alberta at the U of A bookstore). Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson.
Optional Learning Resources: Additional learning resources aimed at facilitating student learning are available from the textbook publisher and may be accessed for a fee paid by the student to the third party provider (e.g. the textbook company). Students choosing to access and use the online resources should note the following:
1. Registration in the system and any monetary transactions are of your own accord and not the responsibility of the University.
2. Students should be mindful of protecting their personal information and should be aware of how their personal information might be used and/or shared.
3. Students SHOULD NOT use their @ualberta email address or CCID to register into the system and instead use a non-identifying email address or account.
This resource is entirely optional, no marks are associated with it. More info can be found here: https://connect.mheducation.com/class/j-farley-psyco-104-spring-2020
Lecture Format: Lecture material will be posted every Mon and Wed in the form of PowerPoint presentations with embedded audio explanations. I will also be holding zoom question and answer sessions beginning at our regularly scheduled class times (1:30 pm Mon and Wed) to address questions about content from previous lectures.
Important Dates: See the current Calendar for the Academic Schedule, Dates, and Deadlines, which include the Registration Add/Drop deadline and Withdrawal date.
Lecture Schedule & Assigned Readings:
Week/Dates Topic Readings
1 May 4 The Science of Behaviour Ch. 1
May 6 Studying Behaviour Scientifically Ch. 2
2 May 11 Bio. Foundations of Behaviour Ch. 3
May 13 Genes, Evolution & Behaviour Ch. 4 3 May 20 Midterm 1, Sensation and Perception Ch. 5
4 May 25 Sensation and Perception Ch. 5
May 27 States of Consciousness Ch. 6
5 June 1 Learning and Adaptation Ch. 7
June 3 Midterm 2, Memory Ch. 8
6 June 8 Memory, Motivation and Emotion Ch. 8/11
June 10 Motivation and Emotion Ch. 11
June 12 Final Exam Due
Representative Evaluative Material: Sample exam questions will be provided on eClass.
Grade Evaluation
Distribution of Grades Letter
grade A+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D F
% Range ≥95 90- 94
85- 89
80- 84
75- 79
71- 74
67- 70
63- 66
60- 62
55-
59 50-54 <50 Grade
points 4.0 4.0 3.7 3.3 3.0 2.7 2.3 2.0 1.7 1.3 1.0 0 Descriptor Excellent Good Satisfactory Poor Minimal
Pass Fail This table contains an approximate guideline for the course. The instructor reserves the
right to adjust this table to correspond to University-suggested ranges and assign appropriate grades based on relative performance.
Grades are unofficial until approved by the Department and/or Faculty offering the course.
Assessments Weighting Date
Midterm #1 25% May 20th
Midterm #2 30% June 3rd
Research Participation 10%
Final Exam 35%** Due June 12th
** Because the Final Exam weight is less than 40%, there is no possibility of a re- examination in this course.
Research Participation: In addition to the lecture section for this course, each student in PSYCO 104 is also registered in the corresponding lab section. This lab involves
participating in some of the psychological research taking place in our department. These marks are based purely on participation (i.e. full marks are given for following the
instructions for the experiment). By engaging with research in the psychology
department, students can earn up to 10 research participation points towards the 10% of their course mark allocated to this (each research participation point = 1%). Most sessions last approximately 50-minutes and are worth 2 participation points. However, research sessions of other durations/point values may be available (e.g. 140 minute sessions that are worth 4 research participation points each). There are no set dates/times for these labs. Instead, students are responsible for using the subject pool website to find individual research sessions being held at specific times that work with their schedule. Additional information, including detailed instructions on how to use the subject pool website, can be found on e-class. More information is available on our eClass page.
Format of Exams: The midterm exams will be accessible via eClass at 1:30 pm on the day they are scheduled (Wed May 20th and Wed June 3rd). Students will have 80 minutes (i.e. until 2:50 pm) to complete a mixture of multiple-choice and short-answer questions.
Working in collaboration with other students is not permitted and will be regarded as an incidence of academic misconduct (see the section labelled ‘Academic Integrity’ below).
The final exam will be in a ‘take-home’ format. Students will have 72 hours to complete a number of essay-style questions, which will be provided on eClass by midnight on Tues June 9th. Submission of responses (via eClass) will be due by midnight on Fri June 12th. As with the midterm, working in collaboration with other students is not permitted.
Missed Term Exams and Assignments: For an excused absence where the cause is religious belief, a student must contact the instructor(s) within three days of the start of Spring classes to request accommodation for the term (including the final exam, where relevant). Instructors may request adequate documentation to substantiate the student request.
A student who cannot write a term examination or complete a term assignment due to incapacitating illness, severe domestic affliction or other compelling reasons can apply for a deferred midterm examination, deferral of the weight of the missed term work/exam
to other term work, or exams, or an extension of time to complete an assignment.
Students requesting a deferral will be asked to complete a Psychology Statutory Declaration form, found in the Psychology Undergraduate Forms Cabinet. Deferral of term work is a privilege and not a right; there is no guarantee that a deferral will be granted. Misrepresentation of Facts to gain a deferral is a serious breach of the Code of Student Behaviour. Students granted a deferral for the first midterm will write their deferred exam on Thurs May 28th at 1 pm. Students granted a deferral for the second midterm will write their deferred exam on Tues June 9th at 1 pm.
Deferred Final Examination: A student who cannot write the final examination due to incapacitating illness, severe domestic affliction or other compelling reasons can apply for a deferred final examination. Students who failed at the start of term to request exam accommodations for religious beliefs are expected to follow the normal deferred final examination process. Such an application must be made to the student’s Faculty office within two working days of the missed examination and must be supported by
appropriate documentation or a Statutory Declaration (see Calendar for information on Attendance). Deferred examinations are a privilege and not a right; there is no guarantee that a deferred examination will be granted. Misrepresentation of Facts to gain a deferred examination is a serious breach of the Code of Student Behaviour. Students granted a deferral for the final exam will be asked to submit their responses by midnight on Fri June 26th.
Re-examination: A student who writes the final examination and fails the course may apply for a re-examination. Re-examinations are rarely granted and are governed by University Regulations and Faculty Regulations (see Calendar information on Academic Standing for (Faculty of Science). Misrepresentation of Facts to gain a re-examination is a serious breach of the Code of Student Behaviour.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
Academic Integrity: The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect.
Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in
suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.
All students should consult the Academic Integrity website for clarification on the various offences. If you have any questions, ask your instructor.
All forms of dishonesty are unacceptable at the University. Any offence will be reported to the Associate Dean of the Faculty, who will determine the disciplinary action to be taken. See the Academic Discipline Process. Sanctions range from a grade of zero for an exam or paper in question, with no opportunity to replace the grade or redistribute the weights, to a disciplinary failing grade with a period of suspension or expulsion from the University of Alberta.
Recording and/or Distribution of Course Materials: Audio or video recording, digital or otherwise, of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the instructor or as a part of an approved accommodation plan. Student or instructor content, digital or otherwise, created and/or used within the context of the course is to be used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior written consent from the content author(s).
STUDENT RESOURCES:
Accessibility Resources (AR) (1 – 80 SUB): The University of Alberta is committed to creating work and learning communities that inspire and enable all people to reach their full potential. AR promotes an accessible, inclusive, and universally designed
environment. For general information to register for services visit the Accessibility Resources webpage. Eligible students have both rights and responsibilities with regard to accessibility-related accommodations. Consequently, scheduling exam accommodations in accordance with AR deadlines and procedures is essential. Please note adherence to procedures and deadlines is required for U of A to provide accommodations.
Academic Success Centre (1-80 SUB): The Academic Success Centre provides professional academic support to help students strengthen their academic skills and achieve their academic goals. Individual advising, appointments, and group workshops are available year round in the areas of Accessibility, Communication, Learning, and Writing Resources. Modest fees apply for some services.
The Centre for Writers (1-42 Assiniboia Hall): The Centre for Writers offers free one- on-one writing support to students, faculty, and staff. Students can request consultation for a writing project at any stage of development. Instructors can request class visits and presentations.
Health and Wellness Support: There are many health and community services available to current students. For more information visit the Health and Wellness Support webpage.
Office of the Student Ombuds: The Office of the Student Ombuds offers confidential interviews, advice and support to students facing academic, discipline, interpersonal and financial difficulties.
LEARNING AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, and Faculty of Science are committed to ensuring that all students, faculty, and staff are able to work and study in an environment that is safe and free from discrimination and harassment. It does not tolerate behaviour that undermines that environment.
The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages, and cultures of the First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.
Policy about course outlines can be found in the Evaluation Procedures and Grading System section of the University Calendar.
Disclaimer:Any typographical errors in this syllabus are subject to change and will be announced in class and/or posted on the course website (e.g., eClass). The date of the final examination is set by the Registrar and takes precedence over the final examination date reported in this syllabus.
Copyright: Dr. James Farley, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta (2020)
