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Psychology 381, Lecture A1: The Principles of Learning Fall 2018, T R 14:00 ‐ 15:20 BS M 145
Instructor: Lauren Guillette, PhD; Office: BS‐P445; e‐mail: [email protected]; phone: 780- 492-5302
Office Hours: T R 15:30-16:30 or by appointment
Teaching assistant: Erin Scully, MSc; Office: BS-P539; email: [email protected]; Phone:
780-492-7862; Office Hours: W 11:00-12:00 or by appointment
Teaching assistant: Kina Montenegro; Office: BS-P541; email: [email protected];
Phone: 780-492-7872; Office Hours: W 14:00-15:00 or by appointment Course web page: eClass
Course Description: In this course we will examine a variety of fundamental learning
processes, primarily as investigated through research with non‐human subjects. We will begin with an examination of ‘elementary’ forms of learning and then progress to a consideration of more ‘complex’ learning and cognitive processes. Some specific phenomena we will examine include: habituation and sensitization, classical (Pavlovian) conditioning, operant (instrumental) conditioning, discrimination learning, memory and cognition in animals. The main focus of this course will be on understanding the mechanisms that underlie these various forms of learning.
Thus, the treatment of these topics will be considerably more theoretical than in the prerequisite course (PSYCO 281). Although the primary focus of this course is on structural analyses of learning processes, some consideration will also be given to the biological function and neural bases of learning and cognitive processes.
Prerequisites: STAT 141 or 151 or SCI 151 and PSYCO 281 or 282
Course Objectives and Expected Learning Outcomes: The objective of this course is to introduce you to more advanced issues in animal learning and cognition. This will include gaining an understanding of some of the neural mechanisms involved in the learning and cognitive phenomena that we discuss. In addition to these primary objectives, the course is designed around using primary sources and original research in course instruction. Students are expected to gain a deeper understanding of animal learning and cognition, to learn how to critically evaluate original research (i.e., from journal articles), and to express ideas about the subject matter in written form through assignments, and in a Journal Club presentation.
Required Text: Domjan (2015). The Principles of Learning and Behavior (7th ed.), also available as an e‐book.
Required Additional Learning Resources: eClass
Schedule: Approximately 1 chapter will be covered each week. We will not be covering Chapters 6 (Schedules of Reinforcement) or 10 (Avoidance and Punishment). See U of A Calendar for a comprehensive listing of add/drop/withdrawal dates.
Evaluation Method Weighting Dates
Midterms (2 @ 20% each) 40% - Tuesday October 02 & Tuesday November 06, in class Final 30% - Friday December 14, 2pm (tentative)
Journal Club Article presentation 5%
Article presentation evaluations 5%
Writing assignments (2 @ 10% each) 20% - Thursday 25 October & Tuesday 27 November Total 100%
Journal Club Presentations: In teams of approximately three (3) to four (4) people (assigned by the instructor) you are required to select one (1) recent journal article (2011 to present from Journal listed in assignment handout) dealing with any topic that is covered this semester. You are required to select this reading in consultation with the instructor (i.e., you need email me) and provide a .PDF copy at least three (3) full days in advance of your presentation slot so that I can approve, and post the article to eClass. Each team of students will be required to present
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their paper to the rest of the class, in a journal club style. You do not need to have any specific visual aids for this (but see assignment handout), although you are welcome to do so. Each team is to present the paper in about eight (8) minutes by giving an overview of the study, methodology, rationale, and walk the class through the results, being sure to mention how this study is related to the content of Psyco 381. Basically, you need to present the paper in a clear, concise manner. A more precise guideline for the presentation and a grading rubric will be provided on eClass.
Journal Club Evaluations: You are required to write evaluations of your classmates’ Journal Club presentations. The number of evaluations each student writes will be determined by how many students are in the class (likely to be 3 evaluations each). I will assign you which teams you will evaluate and provide a standard Evaluation Form. Please make your Evaluations are constructive, not vindictive and nasty, as the team who you critique will be able to view copy of your evaluation when they meet with the instructor/TA in person. Evaluations are due by the start of the class period one (1) week from the date of the presentation. You will print an evaluation and hand it in.
Writing Assignments: There will be two (2) short written assignments. Assignments are to be no longer than one (1) page, single spaced, Times New Roman size 12 font, with normal (1 inch) margins. Any material over one (1) page will not be marked. The first writing assignment will basically be a summary of the Journal Club article presented by your team. Each student is to work independently on their own summary. However, I encourage you to have your peers (your team members or other members of the class) edit/proof read your assignment. The second wiring assignment will be to propose a project based on the results of your Journal Club article. Again, each student is to work independently on their own summary. However, I
encourage you to have your peers (your team members or other members of the class) edit/proof read your assignment. A more precise guideline for each written assignment and grading rubric will be provided on Moodle.
Midterms: Material covered: Domjan Chapters, lecture material, lecture notes, along with any guest lectures, films etc. presented during lectures up to and including to the class prior to the midterm.
Final exam: Material covered: Domjan Chapters, lecture material, lecture notes, along with any guest lectures, films etc. presented during lectures from the entire term. The final exam is cumulative – however, the emphasis will be on material covered since the second mid-term.
Format of Exams: Because there are two written assignments, the two mid-term exams will be comprised mainly of multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, definition, and the like. The final exam will follow the same format of the mid-term exams; however the final exam may include a short written answer.
Representative midterm and final exam questions will be provided on eClass and/or during class.
Missed Term Exams and Assignments:
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 (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
If you fail to write a MIDTERM you must apply for an excused absence. Excused absences for missed midterms are not automatic and are granted at the discretion of the instructor. Instructors are not required to grant excused absences for unacceptable reasons that include, but are not limited to personal events such as vacations, weddings, or travel arrangements. When a student misses a midterm without an acceptable excuse, a final grade will be computed using a raw score of zero for the missed midterm. To apply for an excused
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absence from a MIDTERM, you must contact the instructor via e‐mail from your University of Alberta e‐mail account within two working days following the scheduled date of the midterm missed or as soon as you are able. Acceptable causes for granting an excused absence include, but are not limited to, incapacitating illness, domestic affliction or religious conviction. If you have a valid excuse and if you have contacted the instructor within the required time, the weight of the midterm will be transferred to the final exam. (The final exam is cumulative.) There will be no make‐up midterm. Deferral of term work is a privileged 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.
A student who cannot write the FINAL EXAM 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
(http://calendar.ualberta.ca/content.php?catoid=20&navoid=4939#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.
If you wish to view your midterm, you can do so for up to 1 week after the marks are posted by attending office hour or by arranging a mutually‐convenient time with the instructor or TA.
Grades will be assigned roughly as follows: Percentage Grade
University Grade Meaning
90 – 100 % A+ Excellent
80 – 89.99 % A‐, A Excellent
70 – 79.99 % B‐, B, B+ Good
60 – 69.99 % C‐, C, C+ Satisfactory
55 – 59.99 % D+ Poor
50 – 54.99 D Minimal pass
0 – 49.99 % F Failure
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 (online at www.governance.ualberta.ca) 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 forms of dishonesty are unacceptable at the University. Any offence will be reported to the Associate Dean of Science who will determine the disciplinary action to be taken.
Cheating, plagiarism and misrepresentation of facts are serious offences. Anyone who engages in these practices will receive at minimum a grade of zero for the exam or paper in question and no opportunity will be given to replace the grade or redistribute the weights. As well, in the Faculty of Science the sanction for cheating on any examination will include a disciplinary failing
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grade (NO EXCEPTIONS) and senior students should expect a period of suspension or expulsion.
EXAMS: Students will not be allowed to begin an examination after it has been in progress for 30 minutes or if a student has handed in their exam, whichever occurs first. Students 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. Your student photo I.D. is
required at exams to verify your identity.
CELL PHONES: Cell phones are to be turned off during lectures, labs and seminars. Cell phones are not to be brought to exams.
STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR ACCESSIBILITY-RELATED ACCOMMODATIONS (students registered with Student Accessibility Services - SAS): Eligible students have both rights and responsibilities with regard to accessibility-related accommodations. Consequently, scheduling exam accommodations in accordance with SAS deadlines and procedures is essential. Please note adherence to procedures and deadlines is required for U of A to provide accommodations.
Contact SAS (www.ssds.ualberta.ca) for further information.
STUDENT SUCCESS CENTRE: Students who require additional help in developing strategies for better time management, study skills or examination skills should contact the Student Success Centre (2-300 Students’ Union Building).
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).
Policy about course outlines can be found in the University Calendar
(http://calendar.ualberta.ca/content.php?catoid=6&navoid=806&hl="syllabus"&returnto=search - Evaluation_Procedures_and_Grading_System).
Disclaimer: Any typographical errors in this Course Outline are subject to change and will be announced in class. 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. L.M. Guillette, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta (2018)