PSY 101: Introduction to Psychology

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2023
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 54
Lecture Hours : 54
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 108
Strongly Recommended: ENGL 101.
District General Education: D2. Behavioral Science
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Approved
Grading Method: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass

Catalog Course Description

The course is an introduction to psychology as an empirical science involving a synthesis of theory and research within the domains of behavior, cognition and affect. Students are expected to work and participate using critical thinking skills, thoughtful analysis/synthesis of readings, presentations and discussions within the class environment. 54 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • assess the the scope, research findings, and major societal, professional and theoretical issues found in the field of psychology.
  • measure the importance of the scientific values of research methodologies and objective analyses applied during the process of investigating behavior, cognition and affect.
  • value the personal empowerment derived through an understanding of our individual beliefs and actions as well as the beliefs and actions of others in an extremely diverse world.
  • consider the crucial importance of preparation and involvement in further study of the multifaceted discipline of psychology.
  • Recognize and appraise the significance of perceiving and judging others by virtue of race, ethnicity, religion and culture.

Major Course Content

  1. Psychology as an Empirical Science/Research Methods and Statistics
  2. Historical Foundations and Modern Perspectives
  3. Neuroanatomy/Physiology and Behavior
  4. States of Consciousness/Sleep and Sleep Disorders
  5. Developmental Processes: Cognitive/Physical Change over Time
  6. Sensation and Perception/Meaning and Ambiguity
  7. Learning:  Associative, Operant, Insight and Observational
  8. Memory: Tasks/Stages/Kinds 
  9. Cognition and Intelligence
  10. Emotion and Motivation
  11. Health and Stress: Intervention/Prevention
  12. Personality: The Essence of our Nature
  13. Psychological Disorders and Therapies
  14. Social Influence: Power and Persuasion 

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Professional journal articles.

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

RESEARCH PAPER: An eight-page, double-spaced typewritten research paper on a topic relevant to PSY 101 is required. It is about "researching" original peer-reviewed scientific research found ONLY in professional journal articles; you then distill the information, in your OWN words, following the American Psychological Association's (APA) format for writing a scientific, as opposed to a literary paper. The research paper is due no later than one week before the final exam.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Read chapter 1 Write a brief response to the following questions: 1 Define psychology. 2 What are pseudosciences? Give several examples. How can these in general negatively affect legitimate sciences? 3 List four founders of early schools of psychology and state how their ideologies primarily differed from one another's. 4 In what general settings do most modern psychologists work? 5 State five problems in society that could be of great interest to a psychologist from the biological, behavioral, cognitive, developmental, and social perspectives, respectively.

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture

IGETC Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences

4I. Psychology