PSY 201 Introduction to Psychology: Mind and Body

1. Explain the development of modern psychology from its roots in biology and philosophy.
2. Identify modern psychological perspectives, including their main concepts and leading proponents.
3. Explain the scientific method and its use in psychological research.
4. Differentiate the strengths and weaknesses of various research techniques and designs.
5. Summarize the structure and functioning of the central nervous system, at both the level of neurons and as a functioning system.
6. Explain how humans process environmental information via sensory systems and develop perceptual hypotheses.
7. Explain how genetic inheritance is transferred from one generation to the next.
8. Describe the physical, cognitive, and psychological aspects of human development.
9. Identify the functions and physiology of varied states of consciousness.
10. Summarize the operation of cognitive processes in both primates and humans.
11. Distinguish between the different forms of learning.
12. Apply the mnemonic systems of memory to develop effective study habits.
13. Explain the functions of the human memory system.

Statewide General Education Outcomes:

1. Apply analytical skills to social phenomena to understand human behavior.
2. Apply knowledge and experience to foster personal growth and better appreciate the diverse social world in which we live.

• The Science of Psychology
  • Early views of human behavior
  • Schools of thoughts
  • Contemporary psychology
• Studying Behavior Scientifically
  • Scientific principles
  • Ethical principles
  • Methods of research
  • Analyzing and interpreting data
• Genes, Environment, and Behavior
  • Human heredity
  • Nature-nurture issue
  • Genetic manipulation and control
• Brain and Behavior
  • Organization of the nervous system
  • Neural systems
  • Structures and behavioral functions
  • Interactions with the endocrine and immune systems
• Sensation and Perception
  • Sensory processes
  • Perception
  • Perceptual hypotheses
  • Experience, critical periods, and perceptual development
• States of Consciousness
  • Consciousness principles
  • Sleep and dreaming
  • Drug-induced states
  • Hypnosis
• Learning
  • Classical conditioning
  • Operant conditioning
  • Observational learning
• Memory
  • Attention
  • Information processing model
  • Forgetting
  • Memory and study strategies
• Development Over the Life Span
  • Prenatal development
  • Infancy and childhood
  • Adolescence and adulthood
  • Death and dying