Psychology 2012
S.Blackmon Rm.2315
Access my BLOG from the Hillgrove Homepage:
http://www.cobbk12.org/Hillgrove/
eMAIL: [email protected]
Office Hours: Every Tues. 7:45 a.m. or 3:40 p.m.
Refer to blog for assignments and upcoming activities.
“What should I expect to learn from Blackmon’s Psychology class?”
* A general overview of the principles and concepts of psychology
* A better understanding of human behavior and interpersonal relationships
* The differences between research and applied psychology
* A focus on YOU and your reactions to your life experiences!
“So, what are we going to ‘do’?”
* Online Lab experiments * Collaborations * Observations * Write, Read and Learn!
“How am I graded?”
* Unit Tests:
30% (Test Corrections on Tuesdays 7:45 a.m. and 3:40 p.m.)
* Projects:
30%
* Homework:
15% (Leveled Questions/Article Reading/Vocab…quizlet.com!!)
* Module Quizzes: 15%
* Final:
10%
This is an academic elective counting the same on your GPA as chemistry/Economics etc.!
“What are the expectations of ME in Blackmon’s Psych?”
* Be here. (This is an interactive class. You will miss so much when you are out. MAKE-UP is
YOUR responsibility! See MY BLOG for any missed activities. Make-up tests during office hours.)
* Be on time. (Detention is not fun and I don’t play with regard to punctuality. Remember your role in
the class.)
* Be respectful of your psych family members. (We all play a valuable role in the
success of this class. Let’s all be conscious of this role!)
* Be prepared. (You need your textbook, psych notes, and your leveled questions daily…more to come
on notes and leveled questions!)
* Be actively involved in class. It is just more fun!
* Be the best at everything you do & be deliberately successful!
It’s a Hillgrove thing. 
Please be advised that I am not your therapist.
I am bound by law as a mandatory reporter.
We can talk, but that talk comes with consequences.
On a personal note, this is a super cool class and different than most
others you have had previously. Let’s get started!
TURN OVER
These are the standards and essential questions (E?s) we will cover this semester and
those which you should master. If you are concerned that this has not occurred,
PLEASE tell me so that I can stop and re-teach.
8/13-8/24 Week 1-2 UNIT 1: Psychology & Its Methods: Intro, History & Research Module 1, 2 & 3
STANDARD: SSPFR1 The student will explain selected historical and contemporary perspectives
and practices of psychologists.
E?s:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Define psychology and its associated subject matter. (FR1.a; FR1.b)
Differentiate Psych from other sciences and social sciences. (FR1.a)
Trace the current goals, the evolution and changed of psych. (FR1.a)
Explain behaviors from multiple perspectives. (FR1.b)
Identify YOUR psychological approach to life. (FR1.b)
Identify the 6 historically relevant psychologist & their contributions. (FR1.c)
Determine the career choices available in psychology. (FR1.c)
8/20-8/27 Week 2-3 UNIT 1: Psychology & Its Methods: Intro, History & Research Module 1, 2 & 3
STANDARD: SSPFR2 The student will explain the research methods and the types of statistics
used in the field of psychology.
E?s:
1. Explain how psychologist use the scientific method to describe, explain, predict, & control behaviors (FR2.a)
2. Differentiate between the various ways research is conducted using the 7 approaches to research. (FR2.b)
3. Put together a psychological experiment using independent & dependent variables, & experimental controls
such as blind/double blind procedures & placebo controls. (FR2.c) (
4. Show the correlation in an experiment. (FR2.d)
5. Tell how statistics is used in psychological research using graphs that show descriptive & inferential statistics.
(FR2.e; FR2.f)
6. List the 4 ethical concerns regarding human psychological experiments. (FR2.g)
Week 3 8/27 Unit 1 Exam
9/4-9/10 Week 4-5 UNIT 2 Biological Foundations-Biopsychological Domain Ch 3 Module 7 & 8, Ch 2 Module 4, 5 6
SSPBF1 The student will explain the development, structure, and function of biological systems
and their role in behavior, cognition, and emotion.
E?s:
1. Identify & explain the role of the central and peripheral nervous system on behavior. ( F1.a)
2. Label the parts & functions of a neuron. (F1.b)
3. Explain how information is transmitted through the brain. (neurotransmission; action potentials & synaptic
transmission). (F1.c)
4. Identify the major structures & functions of the brain. (F1.d)
5. Explain how a MRI, fMRI, PET, CAT & EEG work to provide feedback on brain functioning. ( F1.e)
Week 5 9/10 Unit 2 Exam
9/17 Week 6 Unit 3 Biopsycholical Domain/Foundations Ch 4 Module 9, 10
SSPBF4 The student will describe how the physical world is translated into a psychological
experience. (Sensation & Perception)
E?s:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Identify the basic structures of the eye and ear. (F4.a)
Compare top-down & bottom-up processing. (F4.e)
Trace the process of sensory transduction & the associated neural pathways. (F4.a)
Determine the environmental causes, & the role of aging, genetics, diet, disease & trauma, on hearing & vision.
(F4.b)
5. Explain how the opponent process theory, trichromatic theory of vision, frequency theory, volley theory, & place
theory of hearing are associated with visual & auditory sensation & perception. (F4.c)
6. Analyze perceptual illusions & determine how illusions are important for understanding perception.
Week 7 9/24 Unit 3 Exam
9/24-10/8 Week 7-8 Unit 4 Cognitive Domain Ch 9 Module 20, 21, 22
SSPBF2 The student will compare different states of consciousness.
E?s:
6. Describe the importance of sleep & the side effects of sleep disorders & sleep medications on your physical &
mental functioning. (F2.a)
7. Create a dream journal to apply the different interpretations & uses of dream analysis. (F2.b)
8. Judge the validity of hypnosis. (F2.c)
7. Describe the physical & psychological effects of addiction on the brain & body. (F2.d)
9. Classify drugs as stimulants, depressants & hallucinogens. (F2.e)
10. Explain how drugs affect neurotransmission & behaviors. (F2.e)
Week 8 10/8 Unit 4 Exam
10/8-10/15 Week 8-9 Unit 5 Cognitive Domain Ch 7 Module 15, 16, 17, 18 & 19
SSPBC1 The student will identify the characteristics of and major approaches to learning.
E?s:
1. Determine how learning is a changed behavior based on your life experiences. (BC1.a)
2. Explain how the social learning theory and the behaviorist theory approach learning. (BC1.b; BC1.d)
3. Compare & contrast the process of classical & operant conditions on your learned behaviors. (BC1.c)
Week 9
SSPBC2 The student will analyze key concepts associated with information processing.
(memory/forgetting)
E?s:
4.
Put together the process of processing information through working memory, long term memory, sensory
memory & attention. (BC2.a)
5. Give the strategies that you will use to improve your memory by using mnemonics, rehearsal, & elaboration. (
BC2.b)
6. Explain how you forget information including loss of access, interference, displacement & decay. (BC2.c)
7. Provide personal examples on how you use problem solving & decision making strategies such as heuristics,
algorithms, biases, & mental set. (BC2.d)
Week 10 10/15 Unit 5 Exam
10/15 Week 10 Unit 6 Social Psychology: Ch 5 Module 11 &12
SSPBF5 The student will identify major theories and concepts related to motivation and
emotion.
1. List the influences that motivate you to succeed & achieve. Label each motivation as biological,
cognitive/learning, & humanistic. (BF5.a)
2. Compare & contrast theories of emotion; include James-Lange, Cannon-Bard, & Singer-Schacter’s 2 Factor.
Week 10 10/15 Unit 6 Exam-PROJECT
10/22 Week 11 UNIT 7 Developmental Psych Change in Behavior & Cognition Ch 2 Module 4, 5 & 6
SSPBC3 Describe behavioral, social, and cognitive changes from the prenatal period throughout
the life span.
E?s:
8. Trace the physical changes a person goes through from conception to late adulthood by identifying the critical
periods of development associated with each stage. ( BC3.a; BC3.d)
9. Arrange the stages of development according to Freud, Piaget, Kholberg & Erikson. (BC3.b)
10. Explain how we learn language according to Chomsky, Skinner & Whorf and what role language plays in thinking.
(BC3.c)
Week 12 10/29 Unit 7 Exam
10/29-11/5 Week 12-13 UNIT 8 Clinical & Sociocultural Domain Ch 11 Module 25 & 26, Ch 10 Module 23 & 24
SSPVB2 The student will evaluate assessment tools and theories in personality.
E?s:
1. Define personality. (VB2.a)
Examine how your personality is evolving. (VB2.a)
2. Differentiate Freud’s psychodynamic theory, social- cognitive perspective & the humanistic theory. (VB2.a;
VB2.b; VB2.d )
3. Justify the purpose & theories behind the trait perspective. (VB2.c)
Week 13 SSPVB1 The student will analyze concepts related to the measurement and nature of
intelligence.
E?s:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Compare general & multiple perspectives. (VB1.a)
Trace the influences genes & the environment have on your personality & intelligence. (VB1.b)
Determine which personality/intelligence testing is reliable & valid and what is FaceBook fun. (VB1.c)
Debate the benefits & drawbacks of intelligence testing for the individual & society’s perspective. (VB1.d)
Week 13 11/5 Unit 8 Exam
11/12-1126 Week 14-15 Unit 9 Abnormal Behavior, Ch 12 Module 27, 28 & 29; Ch 13 Module 30 & 31
SSPVB3 The student will identify abnormal behavior and treatment.
E?s:
1. Distinguish between normal & disordered behavior using distress, deviance& dysfunction as your guide. (VB3.a)
2. Compare the methods used to diagnose & assess abnormal behavior using the Diagnostic & Statistical manual,
the MMPI & projective tests. (VB3.b)
3. Identify the each of the following disorders & the treatment appropriate for each: anxiety, mood, personality, &
schizophrenia. (VB3.c)
Week 15
4. Differentiate biomedical, psychoanalytical, cognitive & behavioral approaches to treatment. (VB3.e)
5. Debate the challenges associated with labeling psychological disorders & the impact of the diagnosis on
patients. (VB3.d)
Week 15 11/26 Unit 9 Exam
12/3 Week 16 Unit 10 Social Psychology: Ch 14 Module 32, 33, & 34
SSPSP1 The student will analyze the impact of the social environment on behaviors and
attitudes.
E?s:
1. Explain phenomena that result from the influence of the social environment on the individual and vice versa;
include obedience, social facilitation, social loafing, bystander apathy, conformity, groupthink, group
polarization, and de-individualization. (SP1.a)
2. Examine how attribution & dissonance theories pertain to social judgments & attitudes. (SP1.b)
3. Explain the factors that contribute to affiliation & attraction (proximity, mere-exposure effect & similarity).
(SP1.c)
4. Judge the ethics of experimentation in social psychology. (SP1.d)
Week 16 12/3 Unit 10 Exam
12/10 Week 17 Unit 7 Biopsychological: Ch 6 Module 13 & 14
SSPBF3 The student will discuss the components of stress.
E?s
5. Categorize & explain the different physiological & psychological reactions to stress. (BF3.a)
6. Identify strategies & behavior modifications you will use to promote health. (BF3.b)
Week 17 12/10 Unit 7 Exam
Review/Catch-up
Week 18 Finals December 19th (1st & 2nd) and 20th (3rd & 4th)
I have not given specific dates for Unit Tests so that we can be flexible, but we will work
within these time limits. We will adhere to this schedule BUT, I value your feedback, so
please let me know if you need more time on any unit.
We are in this together!
Your role is to be actively engaged in your learning and to reflect on your
own behavior---apply the content. This is not “psycho babble”.