Psychology

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

• Demonstrate fundamental knowledge and comprehension of major concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical and cultural contexts, and empirical findings within the broad discipline of psychology.
• 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.
• Apply psychological theories, concepts, and values to individual, interpersonal, group, and societal issues to demonstrate awareness of self and others.
• 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.

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

• SLO #1. Differentiate between scientifically derived knowledge and myth and conjecture about the topics of psychology and demonstrate understanding of psychological theory and scientific method.
• compare and contrast the scientific method and other approaches to understanding human behavior.
• evaluate current physiological research methods such as ablations, skin conductance levels (SCL), evoked-response potentials via electroencephalogram (EEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET).
• understand cognitive neuropsychology and evaluate neuropsychological testing.
• SLO #2. Compare and contrast the major theoretical orientations in biopsychology, demonstrate knowledge of basic psychological terminology regarding behavior, cognition, and emotion, and be able to express this clearly when writing or speaking about biopsychology.
• analyze behavior at biochemical, cellular and organismal levels.
• identify parts of the neuron and describe their action potentials as a result of naturally-occurring neurotransmitters, hormones, and cytokines.
• recognize how an organism’s physiology and behavior have been fine tuned by its ontological (individual) development and its phylogenetic (species) development.
• identify structures of the nervous, endocrine and immune systems and their interactions.
• SLO #3. Evaluate psychological data, draw reasonable conclusions, recognize the ethical implications of these conclusions, and apply these conclusions to personal, community, and scientific problems.
• test hypothesis through application of scientific method in the context of biopsychological inquiry.
• demonstrate familiarity with the APA guidelines for ethical research with humans and animals.
• evaluate the implications of biopsychological research findings and demonstrate familiarity with bioethical issues.
• SLO #4. Integrate content knowledge, cognitive and affective skills and technical proficiency in completing exams, term papers, presentations and other class assignments. These skills include: ambiguity tolerance, learning, memory, logical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, and critical thinking.
• SLO #5. Apply psychological principles to the development of interpersonal, occupational and social skills and life-long personal growth.
• describe the etiology and outcomes of neurological diseases such as psychoses, cognitive disorders, mood disorders and motor disorders.
• predict the actions of pharmacological agents and explain how they exert their effects in domains such as eating, sexuality, consciousness, sleep, motor activity, mood and addiction.

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

• SLO #1. Differentiate between scientifically derived knowledge and myth and conjecture about the topics of social behavior and demonstrate understanding of psychological theory and scientific method.
• compare and contrast the scientific method to other approaches to understanding social behavior.
• compare and contrast experimental and non-experimental methods.
• SLO #2. Compare and contrast the major theoretical orientations in social psychology, demonstrate knowledge of basic psychological terminology regarding social behavior and be able to express this clearly when writing or speaking about social psychological topics.
• compare and contrast the major perspectives in social psychology.
• synthesize and/or apply knowledge of concepts, theories, and research findings surveyed within the following lines of inquiry within the discipline of social psychology: social cognition, social perception, attitudes and attitude change, the self and social identity, prejudice and discrimination, interpersonal attraction, close relationships, social influence, prosocial behavior, aggression, and group behavior.
• SLO #3. Integrate content knowledge, cognitive and affective skills and technical proficiency in completing exams, term papers, presentations and other class assignments. These skills include: ambiguity tolerance, learning, memory, logical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, and critical thinking.
• apply critical thinking to the analysis of social behavior and related issues.
• SLO #4. Apply social psychological principles to the development of interpersonal, occupational and social skills and life-long personal growth.
• demonstrate the application of social psychological principles to personal, interpersonal, organizational, and social contexts.
• SLO #5. Recognize the complexity of social, cultural, and international diversity and the principles of equity, justice and inclusion in their lives.
• demonstrate understanding of individual and sociocultural differences with respect to the topics addressed in social psychology.

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

• SLO #1. Evaluate psychological data, draw reasonable conclusions, recognize the ethical implications of these conclusions, and apply these conclusions to personal, community, and scientific problems.
• perform statistical calculations.
• organize raw data appropriately and meaningfully.
• identify and evaluate the appropriate statistical test to be used with specific research designs.
• apply statistical tests in order to reach conclusions.
• interpret scientific literature containing statistical analysis and to do so ethically.
• SLO #2. Apply psychological principles to the development of interpersonal, occupational and social skills and life-long personal growth.
• synthesize, evaluate and apply statistical knowledge and skills in educational, occupational and social contexts.
• SLO #3. Integrate content knowledge, cognitive and affective skills and technical proficiency in completing exams, term papers, presentations and other class assignments. These skills include: ambiguity tolerance, learning, memory, logical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, and critical thinking.
• demonstrate mathematical competency and the application of quantitative reasoning.
• demonstrate proficiency in the analysis of data by computer using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).
• critically analyze the application of statistics in scientific literature.
• distinguish among different scales of measurement and their implications; apply concepts of sample space and probability; calculate measures of central tendency and variation for a given data set; identify the standard methods of obtaining data and identify advantages and disadvantages of each; calculate the mean and variance of a discrete distribution; calculate probabilities using normal and t-distributions; distinguish the difference between sample and population distributions and analyze the role played by the Central Limit Theorem; construct and interpret confidence intervals; determine and interpret levels of statistical significance including p-values; identify the basic concept of hypothesis testing including Type I and II errors; formulate hypothesis tests involving samples from one and two populations; Select the appropriate technique for testing a hypothesis and interpret the result; Use linear regression and ANOVA analysis for estimation and inference, and interpret the associated statistics.

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

• SLO #1. Differentiate between scientifically derived knowledge and myth and conjecture about the topics of psychology and demonstrate understanding of psychological theory and scientific method.
• compare and contrast the scientific method to other approaches to understanding human behavior.
• compare and contrast experimental and non-experimental methods.
• SLO #2. Evaluate psychological data, draw reasonable conclusions, recognize the ethical implications of these conclusions, and apply these conclusions to personal, community, and scientific problems.
• formally state hypotheses and test them using the scientific method.
• conduct a thorough literature review.
• choose appropriate research design, methodology, and statistical analyses in support of a specific hypothesis.
• demonstrate knowledge of the APA Code of Ethics in the treatment of human and nonhuman participants in the design, data collection, interpretation, and reporting of psychological research.
• design research studies which may include the following techniques: observation, interviews, focus group, surveys, case studies, correlational and experimental designs.
• collect data and keep organized records.
• reach and clearly express logical conclusions based on data.
• recognize the ethical implications of psychological research and the responsibility to use knowledge wisely.
• SLO #3. Compare and contrast the major theoretical orientations in psychology, demonstrate knowledge of basic psychological terminology regarding behavior, cognition, and emotion, and be able to express this clearly when writing or speaking about psychology.
• utilize APA style effectively in the production of a research report.
• SLO #4. Integrate content knowledge, cognitive and affective skills and technical proficiency in completing exams, term papers, presentations and other class assignments. These skills include: ambiguity tolerance, learning, memory, logical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, and critical thinking.
• analyze and interpret data, draw appropriate conclusions and make recommendations.
• analyze data using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software.
• SLO #5. Apply psychological principles to the development of interpersonal, occupational and social skills and life-long personal growth.
• relate, in presentations and/or in written reports, how psychological information is relevant to personal and community issues.
• reach and clearly express logical conclusions based on data derived from inquiry in the field of psychology.
• use appropriate computer software, databases, and other technology to enhance knowledge.
• identify the components of evaluation research and its application.

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

• Differentiate between scientifically derived knowledge and myth and conjecture about the topics of abnormal psychology and demonstrate understanding of psychological theory and scientific method. [SLO #1.]
• compare and contrast the scientific method and other approaches to addressing abnormal behavior.
• compare and contrast experimental and non-experimental methods.
• apply the DSM-V classification system and evaluate approaches to clinical assessment and the diagnosis of psychological disorders.
• Compare and contrast the major theoretical orientations in abnormal psychology, demonstrate knowledge of basic psychological terminology regarding behavior, cognition, and emotion, and be able to express this clearly when writing or speaking about abnormal psychology. [SLO #2.]
• compare and contrast the major perspectives in the study of psychopathology.
• identify and describe specific mental, emotional, and behavioral difficulties.
• synthesize and appraise the contributions of biological, psychological, and social factors to the development and persistence of behavioral disorders.
• evaluate issues that pertain to people experiencing severe problems in adaptive behavior.
• Evaluate psychological data, draw reasonable conclusions, recognize the ethical implications of these conclusions, and apply these conclusions to personal, community, and scientific problems. [SLO #3.]
• reach and clearly express logical conclusions based on data derived from inquiry in the field of abnormal psychology.
• think critically with respect to individual expression of psychological disorders and to community and social issues that pertain.
• recognize the ethical implications of research in the field of psychopathology and the responsibility to pursue and use empirical knowledge wisely.
• Integrate content knowledge, cognitive and affective skills and technical proficiency in completing exams, term papers, presentations and other class assignments. These skills include: ambiguity tolerance, learning, memory, logical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, and critical thinking. [SLO #4.]
• Apply psychological principles to the development of interpersonal, occupational and social skills and life-long personal growth. [SLO #5.]
• compare, contrast, and evaluate medical, behaviorist, cognitive, humanistic, psychodynamic and other approaches to psychological intervention including present community health practices.
• apply theories of change to behavioral issues involving "diseases of lifestyle"; such as substance abuse, eating disorders, and stress related disorders.
• Recognize the complexity of social, cultural, and international diversity and the principles of equity, justice and inclusion in their lives. [SLO #6.]
• demonstrate understanding of individual and cultural differences pertaining to the topics addressed in the study of psychopathology and psychotherapy.
• demonstrate understanding of clinical ethics, patients' rights, and the broader sociopolitical issues associated with the problem of abnormal behavior.

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

• SLO #1. Differentiate between scientifically derived knowledge and myth and conjecture about the topics addressed by the study of human sexuality and demonstrate understanding of psychological theory and scientific method.
• Compare and contrast experimental and non-experimental methods.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of social/historical context and politics on human sexual thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
• Dispel myths, doubts, and anxieties related to knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors about sexuality.
• SLO #2. Compare and contrast the major theoretical orientations in the study of human sexual behavior, demonstrate knowledge of basic biological, psychological, and socio-cultural terminology regarding sexual behavior and be able to express this clearly when writing or speaking about human sexual behavior.
• compare and contrast the major perspectives in the study of human sexual behavior.
• demonstrate an understanding of the key sex research findings.
• identify and explain the processes involved in female and male reproductive and sexual physiology and interpersonal attachment.
• develop an understanding of variation in human sexual behavior and motivation.
• demonstrate an understanding of the factors that influence sexual development and interaction across the life span.
• describe the causes and correlates of sexual difficulties and variances.
• identify and explain the mechanisms and associated issues relevant to contraception, conception, pregnancy, labor and birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum sexuality.
• compare and contrast approaches that offer alternatives to conventional pregnancy.
• identify guidelines for safeguarding and improving sexual health and well being.
• identify guidelines for improving the health and well-being of the new mother, her partner, her newborn, and her family.
• compare and contrast the symptoms and impact of common sexually transmitted diseases.
• demonstrate an understanding of medical risk and vulnerability.
• identify guidelines for safeguarding sexual health and well-being.
• recognize the defining features of sexual coercion, pornography, and prostitution and their implications for behavior.
• compare and contrast the research findings on rape, incest, sexual harassment, pornography, and prostitution.
• compare and contrast effective and ineffective communication strategies.
• SLO #3. Evaluate psychological data, draw reasonable conclusions, recognize the ethical implications of these conclusions, and apply these conclusions to personal, community, and scientific problems.
• recognize the ethical implications of research in the study of human sexual behavior and the responsibility to pursue and use empirical knowledge wisely.
• reach and clearly express logical conclusions based on data derived from inquiry in the field of human sexual behavior.
• apply critical thinking skills to the analysis of research findings on sexual motivation, variety, difficulties, and issues.
• SLO #4. Integrate content knowledge, cognitive and affective skills and technical proficiency in completing exams, term papers, presentations and other class assignments. These skills include: ambiguity tolerance, learning, memory, logical thinking, problem-solving, moral reasoning, decision-making, and critical thinking.
• think critically with respect to individual expression of human sexual behavior and to community and social issues that pertain.
• apply critical thinking skills to the analysis of research findings on child, adolescent, and adult sexuality.
• SLO #5. Apply biopsychosocial principles derived from the study of human sexual behavior to the development of interpersonal, occupational and social skills and life-long personal growth.
• apply communication skills for sharing thoughts and feelings about human sexuality.
• apply critical thinking skills to the analysis of research findings on sexual behavior.
• apply critical thinking skills and guidelines for avoiding and/or coping with nonconsensual and/or gratuitous sexual circumstances.
• comprehend the implications of this knowledge for daily life.
• make responsible and intelligent choices based on personal needs, desires, and values rather than on elements like guilt, fear, pressure, or ignorance.
• SLO #6. Recognize the complexity of social, cultural, and international diversity and the principles of equity, justice and inclusion in their lives.
• demonstrate understanding of individual and cultural differences pertaining to the topics addressed in the study of human sexual behavior.
• demonstrate understanding of the ethical issues and broader sociopolitical issues associated with the study of human sexual behavior.

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

• SLO #1. Differentiate between scientifically derived knowledge and myth and conjecture about the topics of life span developmental psychology and demonstrate understanding of developmental psychological theory and scientific method.
• compare and contrast the scientific method to other approaches to understanding human development.
• compare and contrast the major theoretical orientations in life span developmental psychology, demonstrate knowledge of basic psychological terminology regarding behavior, cognition, and emotion, and be able to express this clearly when writing or speaking about life span developmental psychology.
• SLO #2. Evaluate psychological data, draw reasonable conclusions, recognize the ethical implications of these conclusions, and apply these conclusions to personal, community, and scientific problems.
• reach and clearly express logical conclusions based on data derived from inquiry in the field of developmental psychology
• recognize the ethical implications of psychological research and the responsibility to pursue and use knowledge wisely.
• SLO #3. Compare and contrast the major theoretical orientations in life span developmental psychology, demonstrate knowledge of basic psychological terminology regarding behavior, cognition, and emotion, and be able to express this clearly when writing or speaking about life span developmental psychology.
• synthesize and/or apply knowledge of concepts, theory, and research findings surveyed within the field of life span developmental psychology.
• SLO #4. Integrate content knowledge, cognitive and affective skills and technical proficiency in completing exams, term papers, presentations and other class assignments. These skills include: ambiguity tolerance, learning, memory, logical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, and critical thinking.
• SLO #5. Recognize the complexity of social, cultural, and international diversity and the principles of equity, justice and inclusion in their lives.
• demonstrate understanding of individual and sociocultural differences with respect to the topics addressed in life span developmental psychology.
• SLO #6. Apply life span developmental psychological principles to the development of interpersonal, occupational and social skills and life-long personal growth.
• demonstrate the application of life span developmental psychological principles to personal, interpersonal, occupational, and social contexts.

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

• SLO #1: Actively engage in intellectual inquiry beyond that required in order to pass a course of study (College Wide Learning Outcome – Area 4).
• Discuss and outline a proposal of study (that can be accomplished within one semester term) with a supervising instructor qualified within the discipline.
• Design an independent study (to be completed individually or by collaboration of a small group) to foster special knowledge, skills, and experience that are not available in any one regularly scheduled course.
• Use information resources to gather discipline-specific information.
• SLO #2: Utilize modes of analysis and critical thinking to apply theoretical perspectives and/or concepts in the major discipline of study to significant problems and/or educational activities (College Wide Learning Outcome – Area 3).
• Analyze and apply the knowledge, skills and experience that are involved in the independent study to theoretical perspectives and/or concepts in the major discipline of study.
• Explain the importance of the major discipline of study in the broader picture of society.
• SLO #3: Communicate a complex understanding of content matter of the major discipline of study (College Wide Outcome – Area 3).
• Demonstrate competence in the skills essential to mastery of the major discipline of study that are necessary to accomplish the independent study.
• SLO #4: Identify personal goals and pursue these goals effectively (College Wide Outcome – Area 4).
• Utilize skills from the “academic tool kit” including time management, study skills, etc., to accomplish the independent study within one semester term.