Basic Psychological Processes
PSY CO 104, Section B1 W inter 2020
Instructor: Dr. Jeffrey M. Pisklak Office: BS-P535
E-m ail: [email protected] (put PSYCO 104 in subject header) W eb Page: eClass
Office H ours: TBA
Teaching A ssistants:
• Jeremy Thomas, [email protected]
• Anahita Shokrkon, [email protected]
Lecture R oom & Tim e: 10:00-10:50, CCIS 1 440
Course D escription: 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 Prerequisites: NA
Course Objectives and Expected Learning Outcom es:
This course is designed as an introduction to the study of behaviour, neurological, and psychological processes. The primary objective of the course is to expose you to the many differing flavours of psychology, its history, and teach you skills to critically evaluate scientific research generally, but especially research which falls under the purview of psychology as it is typically understood.
R equired Textbook: There is no textbook required for this course.
Optional Learning R esources: If you desire a textbook to supplement your studying you can purchase the UofA’s custom Psychology Textbook for PSYCO 104 from the bookstore. It comes with a range of online resources you may find beneficial.
• Passer, M. W., Smith, R. E., Atkinson, M. L., & Mitchell, J. B (2019).
Psychology 104: Basic Psychological Processes 2019-2020 (custom publication for the University of Alberta). Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson. [ISBN-13:
9781260333336]
• McGraw-Hill’s Connect platform includes SmartBook ebook, LearnSmart
adaptive learning, and optional learning assignments. An access code is included with new copies of the printed textbook, is available for purchase at the
Bookstore, or can be purchased online [ISBN-13: 9781259362750].
Im portant D ates: See the current Calendar for the Academic Schedule, Dates, and Deadlines, which include the Registration Add/Drop deadline and Withdrawal date.
Tentative Lecture Schedule
W eek D ate Topic
1 January 6-10 Introduction History 2 January 13-17 Measurement 3 January 20-24 Research Design 4 January 27-31 Ethics
Midterm #1 (Jan 31st)
5 February 3-7 Biological Foundations of Behaviour
6 February 10-14 Biological Foundations of Behaviour cont’d 7 February 17-21 Reading Week - No Classes
8 February 24-28 Assignment 1 Due (Feb 24th)*
Genes, Evolution, and Behaviour 9 March 2-6 Sensation and Perception
10 March 9-13 Midterm #2 (Mar 9th) Consciousness
11 March 16-20 Learning and Behaviour 12 March 23-27 Memory
13 Mar 30 – Apr 3 Motivation and Emotion
Assignment 2 Due (Apr 3rd)*
14 April 6-8 Catch-up lecture
** April 15th Final Exam (2:00p.m.)
*Assignment due
** WARNING: Students must verify this date on BearTracks when the Final Exam Schedule is posted.
G rade Evaluation: Exam and assignment marks will be tallied at the end of the course (rounded to two decimal points) and converted to the 4‐point/letter grade according to the table below. This course is NOT graded on a curve.
D istribution of G rades
Percentage Grade: University Grade Grade Point Value Interpretation
95.00 ≥ 100.00 A+ 4.0 Excellent
90.00 ≥ 94.99 A 4.0
85.00 ≥ 89.99 A− 3.7
80.00 ≥ 84.99 B+ 3.3 Good
75.00 ≥ 79.99 B 3.0
70.00 ≥ 74.99 B− 2.7
66.00 ≥ 69.99 C+ 2.3 Satisfactory
62.00 ≥ 65.99 C 2.0
58.00 ≥ 61.99 C− 1.7
54.00 ≥ 57.99 D+ 1.3 Poor
50.00 ≥ 53.99 D 1.0 Minimal Pass
0.00 ≥ 49.99 F 0.0 Fail
This table contains an approximate guideline for the course; however, 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.
G rade A llocation:
A ssessm ents W eighting D ate
Midterm #1 20% Jan. 31st
Midterm #2 20% Mar. 9th
Assignment #1 10% Feb. 24th
Assignment #2 10% Apr. 3rd
Research Participation 10% NA
Final Exam* 30%** Apr. 15th
There is no possibility of a re-examination in this course.
Form at of Exam s: Both midterms and the final will be multiple-choice exams covering material from the lectures. The final exam will be cumulative but emphasize materials from the latter third of the course.
R epresentative Evaluative M aterial: A sample exam to illustrate the style of questions will be provided on eClass. It will be made available at least two weeks prior to the first midterm. Note that the sample exam is not meant to serve as a substitute for proper studying.
M issed Term Exam s and A ssignm ents: For excused absence from a midterm exam, the weight of the missed midterm will be transferred to the final exam. Students who have missed a midterm and been granted a deferral will be required to write a longer final exam (three hours rather than two hours) that will include additional questions from the first two-thirds of the term.
The instructor must be informed of an absence as soon as possible (within 48 hrs) after missing the midterm and a completed copy of the Psychology Statutory Declaration Form must be provided to them.
• https://cloudfront.ualberta.ca/-/media/psychology/pdfs/undergraduate/department- declaration.pdf
For an excused absence where the cause is religious belief, a student must contact the instructor(s) within two weeks of the start of Fall or Winter classes (or within three days of the start of Spring or Summer classes) to request accommodation for the term (including the final exam, where relevant). Instructors may request adequate
documentation to substantiate the student request.
In all cases, instructors may request adequate documentation to substantiate the reason for the absence, at their discretion.
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.
D eferred Final Exam ination: 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.
STU D EN T R ESPON SIBILITIES:
A cadem ic 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.
• https://www.ualberta.ca/current-students/academic-resources/academic-integrity
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.
• https://www.ualberta.ca/provost/dean-of-students/student-conduct-and- accountability/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.
Exam s: Your student photo I.D. is required at exams to verify your identity. Students will not be allowed to begin an examination after it has been in progress for 30 minutes and must remain in the exam room until at least 30 minutes has elapsed. Electronic equipment cannot be brought into examination rooms and hats should not be worn. See Calendar information on Conduct of Exams for more information.
Cell Phones: Cell phones are to be turned off during lectures, labs and seminars, unless the instructor has explicitly requested their use in association with
lecture/learning material (e.g., ePoll). Cell phones are not to be brought to exams.
Instructors can block course websites immediately prior to the start of any exam.
Students can also be asked to remove coats and turn out pockets before going to the washroom.
R ecording and/or D istribution of C ourse M aterials: 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).
STU D EN T R ESOU R CES:
A ccessibility R esources (A R ) (1 – 80 SU B): 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.
• https://www.ualberta.ca/current-students/accessibility-resources
A cadem ic Success Centre (1-80 SU B): 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 W riters (1-42 A ssiniboia H all): 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.
H ealth and W ellness 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 Om buds: The Office of the Student Ombuds offers confidential interviews, advice and support to students facing academic, discipline, interpersonal and financial difficulties.
LEA R N IN G A N D W OR K IN G EN V IR ON M EN T
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.
D isclaim er: 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.
COPY R IG H T: Dr. Jeffrey M. Pisklak, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta (2020)
