Mr. Best

Psychology

 

Attendance and Tardy Policy

 

Attendance is very important to the successful completion of this course and therefore your graduation. Attendance primarily affects your class participation grade which is equivalent to about 2 tests (3 points per day). If you are tardy, absent of forget to fill out the focus question you will miss out on that day’s points.

 

Grading Scale

            A = 90% - 100%

            B = 80% - 89%

            C = 65% - 79%

            D = 50% - 64%

            F = 49% and below

 

Grades will be available after the conclusion of each unit. Please check to make sure that you have all of the assignments and appropriate grades.

Make-Up Procedure

 

 

 

Tests

Students are eligible to re-take tests that they miss due to an excused absence but are not eligible if their absence on the day of the test is unexcused. The teacher will determine when the test will be administered and will provide ample notice. It is your responsibility to schedule a make-up test. If you miss a test and wait until June 10th to make it up you may be out of luck.

 

Homework

No opportunity to make up homework will be possible for students with unexcused absences (no exceptions). If you are absent, it is you responsibility to check with another student or the teacher for missed assignments and the due dates. Turn in the missed assignment(s) in the next day. Late homework will be accepted from those who simply complete work late, but will receive half credit.

 

 

Class Rules

  1. Be Respectful of yourself, me and other students at all times
  2. Bring books, notebook, folder, pen and pencil, and homework to class everyday. Cover all of your textbooks.
  3. Be in the classroom before the tardy bell rings or potentially loose points.
  4. Food and beverages are not allowed in class (except bottled water).
  5. Use class and study time effectively.
  6. Go to the bathroom, locker, etc., before or after class.

 

 

If you have questions or comments about the course you can e-mail me at mbest@djusd.k12.ca.us

 

Course text:  Introduction to Psychology, Exploration & Application, Dennis Coon.

 

Course description:

Psychology 1A is a one semester, elective class.  This course will examine the scientific method and introduce students to the theories of human development.  Wundt, Maslow, Gilligan, Jung, Pavlov, Rogers, Skinner, Freud, Satir, and others will introduce you to the contributions in the field of psychology.  Emphasis will be made on critical examination of how & why we act in certain ways.

 

Why Psychology?  What do you hope to learn from this course?  Are you curious about why people are shy or outgoing?  Would you like to understand behavior and gain a better understanding of why people act as they do.  Psychology is the systematic, scientific study of behavior and mental processes.  This course will provide new ways to look at and interpret your world.

 
Course Outline

UNIT & TOPIC

CHAPTERS

I.                     Introduction to Psychology:  Search for Understanding

 

Introduction

Chapter I

II.                 Research Methods:  Scientific, Experiments, Placebo, Survey, Clinic

   

Chapter II

III.               Brain Biology & Behavior:  Neurons, nervous system, functions of brain

 

Chapter III

 

IV.               Sensation:  Function of the eye and ear; Smell and taste, Pain

 

Chapter VI

V.                 Perception:  Shape, size, depth and distance, learning, perception and objectivity

 

Chapter VII

VI.               Consciousness:  States of consciousness, stages of sleep, dreams, substance abuse

 

Chapter VIII

VII.            Learning & Conditioning:  Classical, operant conditioning, Reinforcement

 

Chapter IX

VIII.          Memory:  Stages of memory, short and long term, memory formation, forgetting and improving

 

Chapter X

IX.               Cognition & Creativity:  Mental images, concepts, languages, problem solving

 

Chapter XI

X.                 Intelligence:  IQ, mentally gifted, heredity and environment, mental retardation

 

Chapter  X11

XI.               Development:  Birth to Death.  Newborns, nature-nurture, childbirth, moral development, interactions

 

Chapter V