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Introduction to Psychology as a Science 1 – Methodological and Biological Foundations

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HomeSocial SciencesPsychology

Introduction to Psychology as a Science 1 – Methodological and Biological Foundations

Georgia Institute of Technology

About this course: This course deals with an Introduction to Psychology as a Science. Psychology is the study of behavior and the mind. But all of us have tried to understand and predict behavior throughout our lives, first with our parents, then with our peers and teachers, and finally with our friends and co-workers. The difference is that psychological scientists conduct research that discovers the facts about behavior and our minds, so its principles are based on science and not just on intuition and experience. The course covers all areas of Psychology, discussing scientific findings relevant to each area. The content of the course has received approval from "Quality Matters", an organization that evaluates on-line courses. The learning outcomes are: (1) Students will be able to recognize and describe major psychological principles, theories and perspectives; (2) Students will be able to distinguish between different methods used by psychological scientists to study the different areas of psychology; (3) Students will be able to describe the "nature-nurture" controversy across different areas of psychology; (4) Students will know that the basic principles of psychology are based on sound research; and (5) Students will know how the nervous system and other biological systems are involved in understanding behavior and the mind.


Created by:  Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Institute of Technology

  • Dr. Anderson  D. Smith

    Taught by:  Dr. Anderson D. Smith, Regents’ Professor Emeritus

    School of Psychology
Commitment5 weeks of study, 2-3 hours/week
Language
English
How To PassPass all graded assignments to complete the course.
User Ratings
4.3 stars
Average User Rating 4.3See what learners said
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Section 1: Methodology
This week we will start the course by discussing the methods used by psychologists to determine the facts about behavior and the mind. We will emphasize the experimental method because it allows us to determine causation.
4 videos, 4 readings, 1 practice quiz
  1. Reading: Syllabus
  2. Reading: Course Organization
  3. Reading: How To Access Your OLI Textbook
  4. Reading: Consent Form
  5. Video: Lecture Video 1.1: Intro to Psychology As A Science:Course 1
  6. Practice Quiz: General Psychology Pre-Test
  7. LTI Item: OLI Textbook Modules 1- 4
  8. Video: Lecture Video 1.2: Intro to Psychology As A Science - Analysis of Pre-Test
  9. Video: Lecture Video 1.3: Scientific Methods
  10. Video: Lecture Video 1.4: Example of Experimental Method
Graded: Section 1 Quiz
WEEK 2
Section 2: Biopsychology
We will examine the relationship between biology and behavior. How does the brain and the nervous system relate to the mind and behavior?
4 videos
  1. LTI Item: OLI Textbook Modules 5 - 8
  2. Video: Lecture Video 2.1: Biopsychology
  3. Video: Lecture Video 2.2: Nervous System
  4. Video: Lecture Video 2.3: Neurons
  5. Video: Lecture Video 2.4: Methods of Biopsychology and Neuroscience
Graded: Section 2 Quiz
WEEK 3
Section 3: Consciousness
4 videos
  1. LTI Item: OLI Textbook Modules 57 - 59
  2. Video: Lecture Video 3.1: Introduction to Consciousness
  3. Video: Lecture Video 3.2: Sleep
  4. Video: Lecture Video 3.3: Hypnosis and Meditation
  5. Video: Lecture Video 3.4: Psychoactive Drugs
Graded: Section 3 Quiz
WEEK 4
Section 4: Sensation and Perception
Information from the environment is translated by our senses into neural energy. This information is then interpreted by the brain (perception).
5 videos
  1. LTI Item: OLI Reading Modules 9 - 12
  2. Video: Lecture Video 4.1: Introduction to Sensation and Perception
  3. Video: Lecture Video 4.2: Vision
  4. Video: Lecture Video 4.3: Receptive Fields
  5. Video: Lecture Video 4.4: Audition and the Other Senses
  6. Video: Lecture Video 4.5: Depth Perception
Graded: Section 4 Quiz
WEEK 5
Final Exam
    Graded: Final Exam

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    Creators
    Georgia Institute of Technology
    The Georgia Institute of Technology is one of the nation's top research universities, distinguished by its commitment to improving the human condition through advanced science and technology. Georgia Tech's campus occupies 400 acres in the heart of the city of Atlanta, where more than 20,000 undergraduate and graduate students receive a focused, technologically based education.
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    Ratings and Reviews
    Rated 4.3 out of 5 of 6 ratings

    LS

    Great class! Material presentented in an insightful manner. Lectures were clear and distinguished key points well. THANKS!

    Tian Zhang

    This course is well organized with extra information from the University's Opening Learning Initiative, which helps a lot to understand the detail information and background stories. It is a good experience to study with Dr. Anderson D. Smith and Georgia Tech.



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