Research
The scientific method allows us to pose questions, test questions, and analyze results. Ethics is always inclusive of research, as we must protect participants and be aware of appropriate methods for obtaining information.
Through observation and research we begin to understand the world around us. Consider research you have read about or been a part of: Was the scientific method followed? How? What ethical considerations are important to research?
PSY 1012 General Psychology
Module 2 Discussion
Reaction
React to the following statement:
The three learning theories: Classical, Operant and Social Cognitive Theories are only useful to a psychologist doing research.
Explain why you agree or disagree. Make sure to give examples of all three theories to support your answer.
PSY 1012 General Psychology
Module 3 Discussion
Intelligence Testing
Is intelligence testing a useful method of measuring a person’s potential for academic achievement? Should colleges and universities base admissions more on SAT and ACT scores or high school grades and activities? What other ways might colleges and universities predict student success?
PSY 1012 General Psychology
Module 4 Discussion
Motivation
Are anorexia and bulimia caused by our society? What are the motivations or social pressures to be thin? What are the major sources of these pressures? Are there other cultures where this pressure does not exist?
PSY 1012 General Psychology
Module 5 Discussion
Understanding Disorders
As you’ve seen from your reading and research, there are many different causes of disorders. Choose two disorders and discuss their potential root causes. How would you best help and support a friend with these disorders?
PSY 1012 General Psychology
Module 6 Discussion
Personality Formation
Choose two personality theories that best support your perspective on how your personality was formed and discuss with the class.
PSY 1012 General Psychology
Module 1 Assignment
A Tour of the Brain
Pretend you are a tour guide giving a tour of the human brain. In a 1-2 page paper written in APA format using proper spelling/grammar, describe the tour you would give. Be sure to highlight the major parts of the brain, the control centers and their functions, and the importance of the brain as part of the central nervous system. Conclude your tour with a description of what happens to a person when damage occurs to a part of the brain.
PSY 1012 General Psychology
Module 2 Assignment
Sensory Information
In one paragraph per sense, explain how each sense functions, including the biological aspects required for operating each sense. Offer an everyday example of how you use each sense.
Smell:
Taste:
Touch:
Hearing:
Vision:
PSY 1012 General Psychology
Module 2 Assignment
Conditioning in My Life
In a 1-2 page paper written in APA, using proper spelling/grammar, address the following three points:
Classical Conditioning – Describe a fear or phobia that you possess, and that was learned through classical conditioning. If you are among the “fearless,” have a friend share a fear with you. Show how the principles of classical conditioning (unconditioned stimulus, unconditioned response, conditioned stimulus, and conditioned response) apply to the development of your fear or phobia.
Operant Conditioning – Describe one of your childhood learning experiences that involved operant conditioning, such as having to do something to get a reward or avoid punishment. Discuss how the principles of operant conditioning (behavior consequences, reinforcement, or punishment) applied to your learning experience.
Behavior Modification – Describe a small behavior that you would like to change in someone you live with: a roommate, sibling, parent, child, or partner. Examples include leaving their things in the living room or not emptying the trash. Show how the principles of operant conditioning (behavior consequences, reinforcement, or punishment) could be used to keep this behavior in place. Describe how you could use behavior modification to change this behavior.
PSY 1012 General Psychology
Module 3 Assignment
Memory
For each of the following, write a paragraph describing each of the types of memory and providing an original example of how you use each.
Short term memory (process and example)
Long term memory (process and example)
Sensory memory process (process and example)
PSY 1012 General Psychology
Module 4 Assignment
Development Theories
In a 1-2 page paper, written in APA format using proper spelling/grammar, address the following:
Briefly explain Piaget’s and Erikson’s theories of development. Who had a better theory of human development: Erikson or Piaget? Please offer detail to explain your choice.
What tips would you give to someone who has just suffered a major loss, now that you know the stages of grief?
PSY 1012 General Psychology
Module 5 Assignment
Disorders Worksheet
Download the Disorders Worksheet (below) and complete the tables with information from your readings, additional research, and the course information. You may find it helpful to complete the worksheet as you do the readings for this Module. Be sure to list your references in APA format at the end of the worksheet.
Instructions: For each disorder in the tables below, identify the major symptoms and characteristics. Feel free to refer to your readings and course materials. Be sure to list your references in APA format.
Anxiety Disorders Major Symptoms/Characteristics
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Phobias
Specific Phobia
Social Phobia
Agoraphobia
Panic Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Mood Disorders Major Symptoms/Characteristics
Major Depression
Bipolar Disorder
Schizophrenia Major Symptoms/Characteristics
Schizophrenia
Personality Disorders Major Symptoms/Characteristics
Antisocial Personality Disorder
Dissociative Disorders
Dissociative Identity Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder
PSY 1012 General Psychology
Module 5 Assignment
Depression
Read the articles listed below and then write a 1-2 page paper in APA format, using proper spelling/grammar, address the following:
Imagine your 19 year old cousin has recently gone through many changes in his life and you suspect he is suffering from major depression.
What would you tell your cousin about this disease?
How would you help him find the best treatment possible?
What type(s) of therapy would you recommend?
How would a psychologist determine his or her behavior to be normal or abnormal?
Feel free to refer to additional sources besides those mentioned below. Please list your references at the end of your paper in APA format.
The Pill Paradox
The Binds that Tie – and Heal: How Families Cope with Mental Illness
Depression: Beyond Serotonin
PSY 1012 General Psychology
Module 2 Course Project
Topic Selection
As a first step in your Psychology Research Report, choose a topic that you find interesting. In a field this broad, it leaves many options. You might find it helpful to review the topics covered in your text (even the modules not yet covered).
Here are a few ideas that you might consider:
Therapy for Depression
Mid-life Crisis
Effects of violent TV on Children
Creativity
Schizophrenia
Suicidal Behaviors
Death and Dying
Child Abuse
Effects of Noise on Hearing
Attachment in Infants
Drug Use Motivation
Test Anxiety
Development of Self-esteem
Acquisition of Morality
Music Therapy
Psychological Aspects of Pain
Violence and Aggression
Sex-role typing
Stages of Sleep
Behavior Problems of Children
Bipolar Disorder
Stress Management
Meditation
Dance or Music Therapy
Once you have selected a topic, write 1 paragraph using proper spelling/grammar that states what your topic is and why you selected it.
PSY 1012 General Psychology
Module 3 Course Project
Annotated Bibliography
As a way to document the research you conducted thus far, create an annotated bibliography for the topic of your Psychology Research Report. Your annotated bibliography must include 3 different sources. These sources can include journals, periodicals, books, credible Internet articles (e.g. .org, .gov, or .net), etc.
For each of the 3 sources that you research, you will need to cite the bibliographic information in APA format followed by a summary, assessment, and a reflection. Be sure to use proper spelling and grammar.
PSY 1012 General Psychology
Module 4 Course Project
Rough Draft
Using your annotated bibliography and references as a guide, write a rough draft of your Psychology Research Paper.
Your paper must be 3 pages in length, not including a title page and reference page. The paper must not only describe current trends within your topic area, but you should demonstrate how your topic relates to the broad field of psychology. It should contain a strong thesis statement supported by research from at least 3 different sources. Include both in-text citations and a References page in APA format.
PSY 1012 General Psychology
Module 6 Course Project
Final Paper
Review the feedback you received from your faculty member on your Rough Draft. Revise your paper accordingly and prepare the final draft of your paper.
Remember The complete details for the project are available in Module 01 on the Course Project – Introduction page. Recall that your paper must be 3 pages in length not including title page and reference page. The paper must describe current trends within your topic area and should demonstrate how your topic relates to the broad field of psychology. It should contain a strong thesis statement supported by research from at least 3 different sources. Include both in text citations and a References page in APA format.
Tip Rasmussen’s Library and Learning Services team has developed a variety of Guides to help support students’ academic endeavors. For this project, the Writing Guide and APA Guide may both be helpful. You will find links to these
Guides on the Resources tab.
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Research
We can use the scientific method to ask questions, test them, and interpret the results. We must constantly include ethics in research because we must protect participants and be aware of acceptable data collection methods.
We begin to understand the world around us through observation and investigation. Consider the following research projects that you may have heard about or participated in: Was the scientific method used in this case? How? What ethical concerns should researchers keep in mind when doing research?
PSY 1012 is a general psychology course.
Discussion in Module 2
Reaction
Describe your reaction to the following statement:
Only a psychologist conducting research may benefit from the three learning theories: Classical, Operant, and Social Cognitive Theories.
Explain why you agree or disagree with the statement. Make sure to give examples of all three theories to support your answer.
PSY 1012 is a general psychology course.
Module
