PSYCHOLOGY 150
PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR
Fall Semester 1998

INSTRUCTOR: H. B. Lee, Ph.D.
OFFICE: Sierra Tower 302 PHONE: (818) 677-4863, 677-2827
OFFICE HOURS: Monday, 3:15-4:15 PM and Friday: 11:00-12:00

TEXT BOOK: Kalat, J. W.. (1995). Introduction to Psychology (4th Ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks-Cole

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Psychology is the study of behavior and cognitive process. As behavior and thinking processes are very diverse, so is the study of psychology. Psychology is also a science and as such, approaches the study of behavior from an empirical, scientific perspective. It is the objective of this course to provide students with an overview of all areas of psychology. Areas that will be covered include biological bases of behavior, conditioning and learning, human development, memory and problem solving, theories of personality, sensation and perception, social influences on behavior, research methodology, behavior disorders, and psychotherapeutic approaches. By the end of the semester students should have a firm understanding of what psychology is, what a psychologist does, and what constitute the major influences on behavior. It is my hope that this course may even persuade a few of you to pursue a career in the field of psychology.


ATTENDANCE:

It would be ideal if every student attended every class. Attendance will occassionally be taken. Attendance is mandatory on days when an exam is being given and returned. Each student can earn up to 25 points for attending class. Tests will emphasize material covered in class and it is therefore in your best interest to maintain good attendance.


EXAMS & GRADING:

There are four regular exams. The final exam is the 4th exam given in this course. Of the four exams, only the highest three scores will be used in computing the final grade. If a student misses a regular exam, that exam is the one that will be dropped. There are no makeup exams. No exam may be taken earlier or later from the date set by the instructor. A student missing more than one exam must be prepared to drop the course or take an U or F grade. Unlike junior colleges, drops at CSUN are initiated by the student. Each Psychology 150 student is asked to either volunteer as an experimental subject or write a term paper. Students can earn a maximum of 25 points for this activity.

Best 3 out or 4 exams                  150 points
Class Participation & Attendance 25 points
Additional Outside class activity    25 points

Total Points                                     200 points

Letter grades will be assigned using the following scheme:

A:   188 to 200 pts     A-: 180 to 187 pts.   B+:175 to 179 pts.   B:  166 to 174 pts.
B-:  159 to 165 pts.   C+: 154 to 158 pts.  C:  135 to 153 pts.   C-: 120 to 134 pts.
D+: 100 to 133 pts  . D: 80 to 99 pts.         F:   Below 80 pts.



        TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE (Subject to Change)

     Week of
 

      Topic
 

      Chapter
 

    
8/31 
9/07
9/14
9/21
9/28
10/5
10/11
10/19
10/26
11/02
11/09
11/16
11/23
11/30
12/07

    
Introduction, What is Psychology
Scientific Methods in Psychology
Biological Basis of Behavior
Sensation and Perception
Learning: Classical & Operant
Memory & Cognition
Intelligence & Testing
Development
Social Psychology
Motivation
Emotion
Altered States
Personality
Abnormal Psychology
Psychotherapy
 

    
1
2
3
4
6
7&8
9
10
16
11
12
 5
13
14
15
 




TENTATIVE EXAM SCHEDULE (Subject to Change)

           


    EXAMS

    Date

    Chapters Covered

    Exam 1

    9/23

    1, 2, 3, 4

    Exam 2

    10/28

    6, 7, 8

    Exam 3

    11/30

    9, 10, 11, 16

    
Final (4th) Exam
15:00-17:00

    12/14

    5, 12, 13, 14, 15



There is no class meeting on Monday, September 7 (Labor Day) and Friday, November 27th (Thanksgiving)
There may be a day when the instructor will not hold class because of a meeting or a convention. If that occurs, an announcement will be made.