SYLLABUS: PSY U101
Foundations of Psychology
Fall Semester 2004


Instructor: Frank Naarendorp
Office: Rm. 305 Nightingale Hall
Office hours: Mon., Tue. 9.45 - 10.45 am or by appointment
Phone: 617-373-3335
E-mail: naarendo@neu.edu

Teach. Asst.: Tricia Esdaille
Office: Rm 315 Nightingale Hall
Office hours: Mon., Thu. 1.00 pm ­ 2.00 pm or by appointment
Phone: 373-373-3072
E-mail: t.esdaille@neu.edu

Class hours: Mon, Wed, Thu 8.00 ­ 9.05 am (Seq. 01).
Place: 200 Richards Hall (RI)



Required text: Carlson N.R. & Buskist W. (1997). Psychology, The Science of Behavior. Fifth Edition. Allyn and Bacon, Boston.
Prerequisites: None
Requirements and rules: There will be five (5) in-class exams. The syllabus shows the scheduling of four exams. The fifth exam (final exam) is scheduled in the Final Exam Week.
Format: multiple-choice questions on topics drawn from lectures and readings. You are advised to attend the review sessions. As a rule, there will be no make-up exams unless there are good reasons for exception. Each exam counts for 20% of the final grade. Also, in case you missed a class, you should obtain the lecture notes from other students. We rather not re-lecture during office hours.

There are no separate discussion sessions scheduled. However, we will be available one extra hour per week (in addition to the regular office hours) to discuss any question you may have.
Extra hour: TBA

The course is organized in five sections. Description of the sections and calendar are given below.


Topic Guide and Schedule


SECTION 1: Sep 08 - Sep 23, 2004.

In this section we talk about the core subject and scope of psychology. We will take a closer look at the history of some of the approaches adopted to study important topics in psychology. Time will be spent discussing how the scientific method is applied in various sub-areas of psychology. The current influence of the field of genetics on psychology will be touched upon.
Sep 08, Wed. Introduction  
Sep 09, Thu. History Study: p. 2 - 19
Sep 13, Mon. History  
Sep 15, Wed. Research Methods Study: p. 23 - 39
Sep 16, Thu. Research Methods Study: p. 40 - 48
Sep 20, Mon. Research Methods  
Sep 22, Wed. Heredity, Genetics Study: p. 53 - 67
Sep 23, Thu. Exam 1



SECTION 2: Sep 27 - Oct 13, 2004

The brain controls behavior. In this section we strife to develop some understanding of the organization and function of the brain. The working of the basic unit of the nervous system, the neuron, will be explained as well as that of larger brain areas involved in processing information from the environment, brought in by the sensory systems. The principal brain structures involved in motor activity, language and thinking will be identified. Sleeping fulfills an important physiological function. We will delve deeper in this phenomenon and describe the various types of brain activity that underlie sleeping and dreaming.

Sep 27, Mon. The Brain Study: p. 85 - 99
Sep 29, Wed. The Brain Study: p. 102 ­ 110; 115 - 120
Sep 30, Thu. The Brain  
Oct 04, Mon. The Brain/Consciousness Study: p. 281 - 289
Oct 06, Wed. Sleep Study: p. 290 - 299
Oct 07, Thu. Sleep  
Oct 13, Wed. Exam 2



SECTION 3: Oct 14 - Oct 28, 2004

The study of memory processes is almost as old as scientific psychology. In this section a significant amount of time will be devoted to the discussion of a very successful model that describes the workings of human memory quite well.. We will examine how new memories are acquired and how retrieval of stored memories might occur. What is 'forgetting' and how does disease disrupt memory ?. The history of IQ testing in the USA is interesting and will be recounted. Key concepts in the field of 'measurement' of mental abilities will be explained. Theories that have dominated this field for years will be considered as well as data from recent research.
Oct 14, Thu. Memory Study: p. 230 ­ 239
Oct 18, Mon. Memory Study: p. 240 - 250
Oct 20, Wed. Memory  
Oct 21, Thu. Intelligence Study: p. 341 ­ 356
Oct 25, Mon. Intelligence Study: p. 356 - 366
Oct 27, Wed. Intelligence  
Oct 28, Thu. Exam 3



SECTION 4: Nov 01 - Nov 17, 2004

Language will be discussed as a means through which thoughts and other information are communicated. The structure of language and its acquisition will be examined. In this section we will also describe major stages of psychological development that most individuals in the Western world go through. The theories of Piaget' and Erikson will be emphasized.

Nov 01, Mon. Language Study: p. 320 - 331
Nov 03, Wed. Language  
Nov 04, Thu. Language  
Nov 08, Mon. Life Span Development Study: p. 374 - 383
Nov 10, Wed. Life Span Development Study: p. 399- 410
Nov 15, Mon. Life Span Development  
Nov 17, Wed. Exam 4



SECTION 5: Nov. 18 - Dec 08, 2004

The study of personality is at the center of psychology. We will review the most important theories of personality. What shapes personality and how stable is this "configuration" of a person over time ? We will discuss current ideas that attempt to answer these types of question. Freud's psychodynamic approach to personality will be included in the lectures. Psychopathology is undoubtedly one of the most interesting areas of psychology. Common mental disorders will be covered, including personality disorders and drug addictions. The subject matter of social psychology will be defined. Key concepts from attribution theory, from studies on attitude, attitude formation and persuasion will be treated. We will take a look at the dynamics of interpersonal relationships. The ideas behind famous experiments in social psychology on obedience, conformity and role playing will be examined and the now classic experimental strategies discussed. Theories of social aggression will be reviewed.

Nov 18, Thu. Personality Study: p. 449 - 458
Nov 22, Mon. Personality Study: p. 463 - 475
Nov 24, Wed. Personality/Psychopathology Study: p. 570 - 582
Nov 29, Mon. Psychopathology Study: p. 583 - 594
Dec 01, Wed. Psychopathology  
Dec 02, Thu. Social Psychology Study: p. 485 - 498
Dec 06, Mon. Social Psychology Study: p. 502 - 513
Dec 08, Wed. Social Psychology  
Dec 10 ­ 17: Final Exam Week.