PSYC 150-02, Foundational Issues in Psychology, Fall 2004

Abstract

1. To give students a broad overview of topics in the field of psychology in order to facilitate understanding of psychological research methods, specific topics of inquiry in the field, the major theoretical perspectives in psychology, and to perhaps spur an interest for further study into the broad domains of human behavior and mental processes. 2. To give students insight into the scientific processes underlying psychological research and to aid in the critical analysis of research in the field. Students will systematically evaluate research and will be exposed to methodological, ethical, and theoretical issues underlying scientific research conducted with human (and sometimes nonhuman) participants. 3. To encourage the development of critical reading skills through required research readings. Students should be prepared to read classic works in the field and then to write papers describing the four main aspects of the work (theoretical underpinnings, methodology, results, interpretation).