Instructor: Andrea M. Letamendi
Instructor Email: aletamen@ucsd.edu
Prerequisites: None

Course Description: A common misconception is that Psychology is a "pseudo" science and therefore a field based solely on theories. This course asks students to challenge these popular notions by presenting them with a broad array of topics in psychology using an empirical emphasis. Students will be encouraged to view perspectives in psychology through the lens of an emerging critical researcher. Topics will cover issues in personality, abnormal psychology, social psychology, social cognition, perception, behaviorism, and clinical psychology. The basics of experimental methodology will be presented to provide students with analytic tools as they evaluate these various topics. Assignments will include developing basic experimental models to test theories, critiquing peer-reviewed scientific articles, and discussing empirical methods that might answer questions about psychological phenomena. Instruction will occur through lectures, in-class exercises, dyad and group projects, library research, and observational field experiments.

Course Objectives: The main objective of this course is to introduce psychology as the science of human behavior. The goal is to initiate analytic thinking by demonstrating how theoretical models are being evaluated scientifically across varying sub-disciplines of modern psychology. A secondary benefit is the learning of important themes that make up the diverse and prolific field of general psychology. A final paper will require students to develop a research proposal describing a hypothesis, an experimental design, and expected results. This final project reflects their understanding of a particular topic or process in psychology as well as demonstrating their knowledge of the appropriate research methods to test their theory. Thus, each student is encouraged to discuss his or her own hypotheses about psychological processes they find most interesting. An engaging, thought-provoking, and positive atmosphere will provide a comfortable setting where we can relate lessons of emotions and behaviors to our everyday lives.

Expectations:

The primary expectation is that students challenge prior notions of psychology as not an "actual" science. Assigned textbook readings and journal articles will prepare them for class discussion and exercises. Periodically, brief "thought papers" will ask them to reflect on selected articles, observational tasks, and their own research hypotheses. The opinions, perspectives, and ideas of each student will therefore be welcomed and respected by instructor and peers alike. The hope is that emerging scholars walk away from the course excited about the avenues in a growing field that has much to offer professionals and scientists alike.

Course Outline:

Week 1:

Classroom:

What makes "science" science? Intro to research methods in the social sciences

Research of Humans: Ethical and practical issues

Behaviorism: Pioneers of research

Social behavior: Conformity, obedience, and altruism

Assignments:

Observational field assignment: Collecting data through direct observation

"Thought paper": Reflect on methodology of observational research.

Week 2:

Classroom:

Measuring personality: The Big Five

Social Cognition: Self perception, Attribution theory, Cognitive Dissonance theory

Can we measure Intelligence? The role of perception, attention, and memory

Assignments:

"Thought paper": Evaluate one scientific journal article from selected list provided.

Week 3:

Classroom:

Intro to Biological Psychology: The Basics of Brain and Behavior

What causes mental illness? The diathesis-stress model of Psychopathology

Medication or therapy: What works?

Assignments:

Library research: Identify a novel research question for your final paper.