PSYC 101: General Psychology Syllabus
Gary S. Gregg
Fall, 2007
403-E Olds-Upton
ggregg@kzoo.edu 337-7069
This introduction to the field of psychology uses primary readings to examine four controversial topics in depth:
· the nature and measurement of intelligence· the psychoanalytic theory of the unconscious, trauma, and psychotherapy· biological and cultural determinants of gender development· theories of prejudice and ethnocentrismThe readings and lectures cover the range of research methods psychologists employ: psychometric assessment, clinical case study, biomedical investigation, anthropological fieldwork, laboratory experimentation, and sample surveys.I have chosen these topics because of their importance, both to the field of psychology and to contemporary society. In addition to introducing students to core areas of research, they show psychology’s entanglement with contemporary social issues and the challenge of investigating how Nature and Nurture interact.
Assignments
and Grading
The assignments are designed
to develop writing, speaking, and multiple-choice test skills -- and also
to provide each student with a range of opportunities to do well:
1) Four 1 1/2-page “comment” papers.
2) Four 20-min. multiple-choice quizzes.
3) Participation in seminar discussions.
4) One 8-10 page term paper.
Final grades will be based on an average of these four components, with some consideration of each student’s stronger and weaker areas.
Weekly Schedule
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Section I |
Topic: Intelligence, IQ and
Meritocracy Method: Psychometrics |
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Topic |
Reading |
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Wk 1 Mon. |
Introduction Lec: The IQ controversy Testing and Meritocracy |
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Wk 1 Wed. |
Lec: Galton & eugenics Cattell & Wissler Binet & Spearman |
Herrnstein & Murray, The Bell Curve: Preface Introduction |
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Wk 1 Fri. |
Lec: Formation of the “cognitive elite” Film: Schooling in America |
Herrnstein & Murray, The Bell Curve: Ch 1: Cognitive Class and Education, 1900-1990 Ch 2 & 3: chapter summaries Ch 4: Steeper Ladders, Narrower Gates |
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Wk 2 Mon. |
Lec: IQ and racism Goddard, Terman, Yerkes, Brigham & Burt |
Herrnstein & Murray, The Bell Curve: Ch 5-20: Chapter summaries |
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Wk 2 Wed. |
Lec: psychometrics variance & correlation reliability & validity |
Herrnstein & Murray, The Bell Curve Ch 21: The Way We Are Headed Ch 22: A Place for Everyone
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Wk 2 Fri. |
discussion |
Gould, Mismeasure of Man Rec: APA Report: Intelligence: Knowns & Unknowns Rec: Kamin, Lies |
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Wk 3 Mon. |
paper due Lec: Theories of Intelligence Piaget, Vygotsky, Sternberg |
Gardner, Frames of Mind Ch 1: The Idea of Multiple Intelligences Ch 4: What is an Intelligence? Theories of Intelligence lecture notes |
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Wk 3 Wed. |
Lec: Multiple Intelligences |
Gardner, Frames of Mind Chapt 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 Ch 10: The Personal Intelligences |
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Wk 3 Fri. |
30 min exam Intro to Section II: Demons & animal magnetism |
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Section II |
Topic: Psychoanalysis Method: Case Study |
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Wk 4 Mon. |
Lec: Discovery of the unconscious |
Breuer & Freud, Studies on Hysteria
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Wk 4 Wed. |
Lec: Theory and Therapy From trauma to fantasy
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Breuer & Freud, Studies on Hysteria “Psychical Mechanism of Hysterical Phenomena” ("hard copy" reserve) |
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Wk 4 Fri. |
discussion |
Freud, Dora: An Analysis of a Case of Hysteria Pt 1: Prefatory Remarks Pt 2: The Clinical Picture
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Wk 5 Mon. |
Paper due Lec: Infantile sexuality Dream interpretation Oedipus complex Transference & counter-transference |
Freud, Dora: An Analysis of
a Case of Hysteria Pt 3: The First Dream Pt 4: The Second Dream Pt. 5: Postscript |
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Wk 5 Wed. |
Lec: “Acting out” vs. finding one’s voice |
Herman, Trauma and Recovery
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Wk 5 Fri. |
30 min exam Intro to Section III: Gender Development |
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Section III |
Topic: Gender Development Method: Biomedical
Investigation & Anthropological Fieldwork |
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Wk 6 Mon. |
Lec: Male and Female
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Money & Tucker: Sexual Signatures Ch 4: Gender Identity ("hard copy" reserve) From Rolling Stone: Joan/John |
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Wk 6 Wed |
Lec: Hormones & gender |
Pinel: Biopsychology |
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Wk 6 Fri |
discussion Culture and gender |
Gilmore, Manhood in the Making Ch 1: The Manhood Puzzle Ch 3: Looking for Manhood: Truk Island or: Gilligan, In a Different Voice: Ch 1: Woman’s Place in Man’s Life-cycle Ch 2: Images of Relationship |
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Wk 7 Mon. |
paper due Lec: gender and alcoholism gender and depression
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Gilmore, Manhood in the Making Ch 7: Rites of Manhood: Sambia Ch 9: Exceptions: Tahiti and Semai or: Gilligan In a Different Voice Ch. 3: Concepts of Self and Morality Ch. 4: Crisis and Transition
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Wk 7 Wed. |
Culture and gender |
Gilmore, Manhood in the Making Ch 10: Conclusions or: Gilligan, In a Different Voice Ch 5: Women’s Rights & Judgment (optional) Ch 6: Visions of Maturity
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Wk 7 Fri |
30 min. exam Intro to Sect IV: Prejudice & Racism |
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Section IV |
Topic: Prejudice & Authoritarianism Method: Sample
Survey & Laboratory Experimentation |
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Wk 8 Mon. |
Authority & Obedience film: Milgram’s Obedience Experiment
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Arendt, Eichmann in Jerusalem Ch 2 through 6 |
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Wk 8 Wed. |
Lec: Obedience Sanctioned Massacres |
Arendt, Eichmann in Jerusalem Ch 7, 8, 14 & Epilogue |
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Wk 8 Fri. |
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Sherif, “Experiments in Group Conflict” |
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Wk 9 Mon. |
paper due Lec: The Authoritarian Personality
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Brown, Social Psychology Ch 10: The Authoritarian Personality Notes: Authoritarian Personality Notes: R.W.A. |
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Wk 9 Wed. |
Lec: Types of prejudice film: Ethnic Notions |
Katz, Wackenhut & Hass, “Racial Ambivalence, Value Duality, and Behavior" |
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Wk 9 Fri. |
Thanksgiving
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Wk 10 Mon |
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Wk 10 Wed. |
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Wk 10 Fri. |
30-min exam Summing u
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