Author: annette willingham

SYLLABUS-PSYCHOLOGY
INSTRUCTOR-LESLIE  MUNHOLLON

TEXT: UNDERSTANDING PSYCHOLOGY
GLENCOE PUBLISHING CO. 

PURPOSE OF CLASS:  This is a two semester course with no prerequisites. It is designed , because of its mature content, as an elective for 11th and 12th grade students. Students will study human behavior as it relates to themselves and others and will become familiar with the history of psychological research and popular theories as well as current trends in the field.

FIRST SEMESTER 

WEEKS 1-2

UNIT  I- INTRODUCING PSYCHOLOGY- CHAPTER 1

OBJECTIVES:  Students will:

                             A.  Define psychology and describe types of work psychologist typically do
                             B.  Explain the purpose of theories
                             C.  Describe the major contributions of early psychologists, including Wundt, 
                                   James, Watson & Freud
                             D.  Give an example of and describe the six different approaches of 
                                   present-day psychology to understanding human behavior

WEEKS 3-4

UNIT II- PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH METHODS/STATISTICS- CHAPTER 2 

OBJECTIVES:  Students will:

                             A.  Explain the overall purpose of using scientific methods of research
                             B.  Identify the difference between independent and dependent variables
                                   as they relate to experimental and control groups in an experiment
                             C.  Describe the advantages and disadvantages of survey methods
                             D.  Describe how naturalistic observation is done, explaining its usefulness
                             E.  Indicate the pros and cons of the interview method
                             F.  Explain what the case study method is used for
                             G.  Explain the purpose of the longitudinal versus the cross-sectional methods
                             H.  Discuss the pros and cons regarding the morality of experimenting with
                                   humans or animals

WEEKS 5-7

UNIT III-  INFANCY AND CHILDHOOD- CHAPTER 3

OBJECTIVES:  Students will:
     
                             A.  Explain the importance of heredity and environment human
                                   development
                             B.  Describe the way maturational processes work
                             C.  Explain growth cycles, critical periods, and imprinting
                             D.  Describe the role of the mother and father in family life
                             E.  Describe the three parenting styles and their effects on children
                             F.  Explain the causes of child abuse
                             G.  List and explain Piaget=s four stages of child development
                             H.  List and explain Kohlberg=s three stages of moral development

WEEKS 8-9
UNIT IV-ADOLESCENCE- CHAPTER 4

OBJECTIVES:   Students will:

                              A.  Describe the physical changes of adolescence
                              B.  Discuss differences in rates of maturation and their effects
                              C.  Describe the eating disorders of bulimia and anorexia nervosa
                              D.  Describe the importance of conformity and groups
                              E.  Discuss Erikson=s definitions of identity and identity confusion
                              F.  Describe Marcia=s four states of identity
                              G.  Explain the connection between formal operations thinking 
                                    and post conventional moral reasoning
                              H.  Describe the sources of conflict between parents and adolescents
                               I.  Discuss factors associated with juvenile delinquency

WEEKS 10-11
UNIT V- ADULTHOOD AND AGING- CHAPTER 5

OBJECTIVES:   Students will:
                              A.  Describe the general characteristics of the period from 20-39
                              B.  Explain what the mid-life transition is
                              C.  Explain what is meant by the Amellow 50=s@
                              D.  Describe family relationships and common crises during the
                                    middle adult period, including menopause and the empty nest
                              E.  Provide an overall view of the mental ability and health of the
                                   typical elderly person
                              F.  Discuss attitudes toward death

WEEKS 12-13

UNIT VI- BRAIN, BODY AND BEHAVIOR- CHAPTER 6

OBJECTIVES:  Students will:

                            A.  Describe how the hemispheres of the brain function
                            B.  Name and explain the parts of the cerebral cortex
                            C.  Name and describe the purpose of each of the parts of the lower brain
                            D.  Name and explain the purpose of each of the glandular systems

WEEKS 14-15
UNIT VII- ALTERED STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS- CHAPTER 7

OBJECTIVES: Students will:

                           A.  Describe consciousness and its levels
                           B.  Explain chronology and biological clocks
                           C.  Describe circadian rhythm and explain its influence
                           D.  Explain the importance of  REM sleep
                           E.  Describe the content of and different kinds of dreams
                           F.  Explain what hypnosis is
                           G.  Explain how meditation involves a  similar state of consciousness

WEEKS 16-18

UNIT VIII-SENSATION AND PERCEPTION- CHAPTER 8

OBJECTIVES:  Students will:

                            A. Understand how sensations occur
                            B. Understand how perceptions allow humans to react
                            C. Describe how the sense organs act as receptors
                            D. Define perceptions 

SECOND SEMESTER

WEEKS 1-3

UNIT IX- MOTIVATION AND EMOTION- CHAPTER 12

OBJECTIVES:  Students will:

                             A.  Describe how symbolism is tied in with basic drives
                             B.  Describe the difference between motivation and emotion
                             C.  Explain the physical basis of hunger and thirst
                             D.  Explain the problems with extrinsic motivation
                             E.  Explain Maslow=s hierarchy of needs
                             F.  Describe the types of psychological motivation
                             G.  Describe the three theories of emotion

WEEKS 4-5
UNIT X-  PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING- CHAPTER 13

OBJECTIVES:    Students will:

                               A.  Explain the purpose of using psychological tests
                               B.  Discuss the importance of validity, reliability, and norms
                               C.  Compare projective tests with personality inventories
                               D.  Describe the differences between aptitude and achievement tests

WEEKS 6-8

UNIT XI- THEORIES OF PERSONALITY- CHAPTER 14 

OBJECTIVES:   Students will:

                              A.  Explain psychoanalytic theory and the unconscious
                              B.  Describe the two approaches to behaviorism
                              C.  Explain the humanistic philosophy
                              D.  Describe the role of heredity and environment in personality traits

WEEKS 9-10

UNIT XII:  FRUSTRATION, CONFLICT, STRESS & DRUGS- CHAPTER 15

OBJECTIVES:   Students will:

                              A.  Explain the four types of conflict
                              B.  Discuss the differences between good and bad stress
                              C.  Describe the physical changes that take place during stress
                              D.  Describe the general adaptation syndrome
                              E.  Explain the principle of how drugs affect the body
                              F.  Discuss suicidal feelings

WEEKS 11-14

UNIT XIII: PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS- CHAPTER 16
OBJECTIVES:    Students will:

                              A.  Describe the three part definition of abnormal behavior
                              B.  Explain the major symptoms of each of the mental disorders
                              C.  Describe the differences between dysthymic disorder and
                                    major depression
                              D.  Describe the origin and symptoms of schizophrenia
                              E.  Explain how a personality disorder differs from other disorders
WEEKS 15-16

UNIT XIV: THERAPY AND CHANGE- CHAPTER 17

OBJECTIVES:   Students will:

                              A.  Describe the different kinds of mental health workers
                              B.  Compare psychoanalysis with humanism as a therapy
                              C.  Describe how behavioral methods differ from others
                              D.  Explain the advantages of group therapy
                              E.  Describe chemotherapy and psycho surgery, explaining the
                                    benefits and problems involved in each

WEEKS 17-18

UNIT XV- SOCIOCULTURAL INFLUENCES: ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS-
                   CHAPTER 20

OBJECTIVES:   Students will :

                              A.  Describe the cultural makeup of the United States
                              B.  Describe the cultural biases in the field of psychology
                              C.  Explain how a reference group influences attitudes
                              D.  Describe the use of stereotypes
                              E.  Explain how prejudice can be reduced
                              F.  Explain how cognitive dissonance changes attitudes
                              G.  Explain the techniques of brainwashing

DETERMINATION OF GRADES:
DAILY WORK                            50%
(Vocab., worksheets, projects,
unit reviews, etc.)
TESTS                                           50%
                                                       100%
1^ST/3rd 9 WEEKS ==44%
2^ND/4th 9 WEEKS ==44%
Semester Tests      ==12%
                                 100%