PSYC 1111 - Introduction to Psychology 1

Course Description

Students explore how psychology has informed our understanding of human thought and behaviour from historical to contemporary times. They examine the ways in which psychological research methods differ from other ways of knowing; investigate how psychological science can identify limits to human knowledge including their own; explore common misconceptions about the causes of human behaviour; and consider the real-world consequences of not addressing such misconceptions. Students skillfully apply insights from psychological research concerning heredity and experience, neurobiology, consciousness, sensation and perception, learning, and memory to everyday situations so that they are equipped to achieve their goals in adaptive ways.

Learning outcomes

• Explain why commonly held explanations of human behaviour are often deficient and describe how psychological research methods can be effectively employed to overcome common misconceptions about the causes of human mental states and behaviour.
• Reflect on their preconceived ideas about the brain, consciousness, evolution, genetics, sensation, perception, learning, and memory and identify opportunities where psychological science can be applied to expand understanding of these processes to their own benefit and to the benefit of society.
• Draw upon and integrate knowledge from the fields of behaviorism, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, evolutionary psychology, history, and neurobiology in order to explain how a variety of factors interact and contribute to the emergence of complex mental and behavioural processes in both humans and animals.
• Recall and define key psychological terms, concepts, and theories central to the study of human behaviour and mental processes, related to the topics discussed in this course.

Course topics

• Unit 1: An Invitation to Psychology
• Unit 2: Biological Processes
• Unit 3: States of Being
• Unit 4: Learning and Memory

Required text and materials

The following Open Education Resources (OER) textbook is required for this course:

• Walters, S. (2020). Psychology (1st Canadian Ed.). Thompson Rivers University.
  https://psychology.pressbooks.tru.ca/

Assessments

To successfully complete this course, students must achieve a passing grade of 50% or higher on the overall course, and 50% or higher on the final mandatory exam.

Prerequisites

• None

Exclusions

• PSYC 1110