PSYC C1000 - Introduction to Psychology

Transfer Status

CSU/UC

Unit(s)

3.00

• Lecture: 51.00 Contact hours/102.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)
• Total: 51.00 Contact hours/102.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)

Course Description: This course is an introduction to psychology, which is the study of the mind and behavior. Students focus on theories and concepts of biological, cognitive, developmental, environmental, social, and cultural influences; their applications; and their research foundations. Topics also include the science of psychology, ethics, perception, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, sexuality and gender, stress and health, personality, psychological disorders and therapies, and applied psychology. (C-ID PSY 110).

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate fundamental knowledge and comprehension of major concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical and cultural contexts, and empirical findings within the broad discipline of psychology.
2. Use a scientific approach (including critical and creative thinking) to understand individuals’ mind and behavior within psychological, biological, sociocultural, and ethnocultural contexts while recognizing that biases filter experiences.
3. Draw logical and objective conclusions about the mind and behavior from evidence to show how psychology evaluates, modifies, and supports its claims and counters unsubstantiated statements, opinions or beliefs.
4. Apply psychological theories, concepts, and values to individual, interpersonal, group, and societal issues to demonstrate awareness of self and others.
5. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding representing selected content areas of psychological theory and research representing each of the following nine general domains: a. biological bases of behavior and mental processes; b. sensation and perception; c. learning and memory; d. cognition and consciousness; e. individual differences, psychometrics, and personality; f. social processes, including socio-cultural and international dimensions; g. developmental psychology; h. psychological disorders; and i. motivation and emotion.
6. Recognize and understand the impact of diversity on psychological research, theory, and application, including (but not limited to) aspects of race, ethnicity, culture, gender, socio-economic status, disability, and sexual orientation.
7. Draw the distinction between scientific and non-scientific methods of understanding and analysis, including statistical analysis.
8. Describe and demonstrate an understanding of applied areas of psychology, including clinical, counseling, forensic, community, organizational, school, and health psychology.

Topic Titles / Suggested Time Topic

Lecture

1. Class Activities
2. Collaborative Group Work
3. Group Discussions
4. Homework: Students are required to complete two hours of outside-of-class homework for each hour of lecture
5. Lecture
6. Multimedia Presentations
7. Reading Assignments

1. Examples of potential methods of evaluation used to observe or measure students’ achievement of course outcomes and objectives could include but are not limited to quizzes, exams, laboratory work, field journals, projects, research demonstrations, etc. Methods of evaluation are at the discretion of local faculty.

Reading Assignments

1. Review the chapter on neurotransmitters and provide a 100-word reflection on their potential role in mood disorders. Be ready to discuss your thoughts during class.
2. Read the chapter on the history and systems of psychology, and write a 100-word reflection on their contribution to contemporary perspectives and applications of psychology. Be prepared to discuss your insights during class.

Writing Assignments

1. Retrieve a recent peer-reviewed research article from the field of psychology, published within the last five years, and provide a 300-word summary in your own words.  Be prepared to discuss in class.
2. Compose a 3-page essay summarizing research findings pertaining to the neurology and psychology of stress.  Be prepared to discuss in class.

Out-of-Class Assignments

1. Write a 200-word personal analysis of your behaviors when you experience stress using the four major theoretical perspectives outlined in Chapter 7.  Share your findings with the class.
2. Apply the key concepts from the chapter on consciousness to interpret one of your dreams in a 200 word essay. Share your findings with the class.

W. Weiten. (2022). Themes and Variations in Psychology. Cengage, 11th. 978-0357374825.

Robert Feldman. (2024). Understanding Psychology. McGraw, 15th. 9781266057199.

Grison & Gazzaniga. (2022). Psychology in Your Life. WW Norton, 4th. 978-0-393-87753-3.

Kassin, S., Privitera, G., and Clayton, K. (2021). Essentials of Psychology. Sage, 1st. 9781544348438.

Wade, C., Tavris, C., Sommers, S., and Shin, L. (2023). Psychology. Pearson, 14th. 9780138061937.

Licht, D., Hull, M., and Ballantyne, C. (2025). Scientific American: Psychology. Macmillan, 4th. 9781319426934.

Meyers and DeWall. (2022). Exploring Psychology. Macmillian, 12th. 9781319132118.

Ciccarelli and White. (2021). Psychology and Exploration. Pearson Education, 5th. 9780135198018.

Zero Cost Textbook

Spielman, Jenkins, Lovett, et. al. (2024). Psychology. https://openstax.org/details/books/psychology-2e, 2nd. OER

Diener & Biswas-Diener (eds), Discover Psychology 2.0: A Brief Introductory Text (https://nobaproject.com/textbooks/discover-psychology-v2-a-brief-introductory-text)

Additional OER examples can be found at https://asccc-oeri.org/open-educational-resources-and- psychology/

Other Learning Materials

Texts used by individual institutions and in individual sections will vary.

Psychology (Masters Required)