Through this introduction to the field of psychology, the student will be able to describe how psychologists do their research and gain an appreciation of how psychologists view people through studying the views of Freud, Skinner, and Maslow. The student will be able to summarize, interpret and evaluate psychological information, especially as it appears in films and non-technical articles. Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to describe psychological concepts and facts on the major topics of psychology
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Summarize written material by describing the central idea and key points, by analyzing
important definitions, and by identifying psychological evidence (Critical Evaluative Reading).
2. Notice, understand, analyze, and evaluate psychological information in the mass media (Critical
3. Apply concepts to their own experiences (Application).
4. State what they have personally learned about selected topics in psychology.
5. Describe important concepts related to psychological research.
6. Describe the problems of defining mental illness, some of the major types of mental illness,
and the major ways to treat mental illness.
7. Explain the influences and limitations on how we perceive.
8. Explain how to modify and change attitudes and behaviors.
9. Describe the heredity vs. environmental issue.
10. Describe the selected topics from social psychological research.
11. Compare the views and criticisms of the major perspectives in psychology:
a. The Psychodynamic View
b. The Behavioral View
c. The Humanistic/Positive View
d. The Cognitive View
12. Apply what they are learning about groups to become cooperative group participants.
13. Use Psychological research findings to improve study skills, time management skills,
14. Demonstrate their beginning skills as a researcher and apply the scientific method.
15. Communicate with writing using APA style.
16. Practice academic honesty and avoid plagiarism.
This course is not self-paced. This course does require four on-campus meetings – once for picking up the Evaluating Psychological Information booklet, once for the Midterm Exam, once for the Final Exam and once for the Critical Thinking Exam. The communication in the course will take place through emails and threaded discussions.
Texts and Materials
Essentials of psychology: Concepts and applications (3rd ed.), Jeffrey Nevid
Evaluating psychological information (5th ed.), James Bell
Textbook website: http://www.cengagebrain.com/shop/isbn/9781111301217
For purposes of verification and assessing learning outcomes, this course has online quizzes. There are also proctored online Midterm, Final and Evaluating Psychological Information (Critical Thinking) Exams at the HCC Test Center. A proctored exam on the Evaluating psychological Information (Critical Thinking) workbook will be given at the Test Center. The exams will have a flexible window of time during which it needs to be taken rather than a single date and time.
If you have questions about this class, send a message to Alison Humphreys,