PSYC 1211: Introductory Psychology II
This companion course to PSYC 1111 introduces students to the scientific study of human psychology. Topics covered include an overview of psychological theories and research methods as well as current information on such topics as evolutionary psychology, development over a lifespan, theories of personality, stress and health, psychological disorders, approaches to treatment, and selected topics in social psychology, including attitudes, prejudice, conformity, and group behaviour.
Please Note: The required text as listed in the detailed course description is not included in the PSYC 1211 course package. Students who have previously taken PSYC 1111 may already have the required text. Please refer to the detailed course description for specific text information. Students who do not already have this text will need to acquire it before registering in PSYC 1211. Please contact Student Services to obtain the textbooks.
Objectives
The goals of this course are to help you acquire current scientific knowledge of theories, methods, and scientific findings from the field of psychology and an understanding of the importance of critical thinking when evaluating psychological material.
Upon successful completion of PSYC 1211, you will be able to:
- Describe major theoretical perspectives and historical trends in psychology.
- Describe and apply basic research methods in psychology, including researchdesign and interpretation.
- Analyze and evaluate information using critical thinking, skeptical inquiryand knowledge of the scientific method.
- Describe how genetic, evolutionary, and environmental influences interact,including in the cases of language and intelligence.
- Describe and evaluate classic and contemporary psychological findings in thestudy of development over the lifespan.
- Describe and evaluate classic and contemporary theories of personality andintelligence.
- Describe and evaluate classic and contemporary psychological findings in thestudy of social psychology.
- Describe and evaluate classic and contemporary psychological findingsrelated to emotion, stress, and health.
- Describe the different types of psychological disorders, including specificexamples and current causal theories.
- Describe and evaluate different approaches in the treatment of psychological disorders.
Course outline
Unit 1: An Invitation to Psychology
Unit 2: Evolution, Genes, Environment, and Development
Unit 3: Personality and Social Psychology
Unit 4: Health, Disorders, and Treatment
Required text and materials
This is a companion course to PSYC 1111 and uses the same textbook as PSYC 1111; therefore, you may already have the textbook for this course. If you do NOT already own the required textbook, please be aware that you will need to purchase it. To do so, contact Enrolment Services at student@tru.ca or phone 1.800.663.9711.
Wade, C., Tavris, C., Saucier, D., & Elias, L.Psychology. (5th Cdn. Ed., with DSM-5
+ MyPsychLab).
ISBN: 9780134004242
Additional requirements
Computer with Internet access is required for this course. (Refer to the TRU- OL Website or the TRU-OL Calendar for requirements.)
Assessments
Please be aware that due to COVID-19 safety guidelines all in-person exams have been suspended. As such, all final exams are currently being delivered through ProctorU, which has an approximate fee of $35 involved. There will be more information in your course shell, on how to apply, if your course has a final exam.
In order to successfully complete this course, you must obtain at least 50% on the final mandatory examination and 50% overall. Students who do not submit an assignment will be assigned a mark of zero (0) for that assignment.
It is recommended that students complete all assignments in order to achieve the learning outcomes of the course.
| Assignment 1: An Invitation to Psychology | 12% |
| Assignment 2: Evolution, Genes, Environment, and Development | 12% |
| Assignment 3: Personality and Social Psychology | 12% |
| Assignment 4: Health, Disorders, and Treatment | 14% |
| Unit 1 Quiz | 2.5% |
| Unit 2 Quiz | 2.5% |
| Unit 3 Quiz | 2.5% |
| Unit 4 Quiz | 2.5% |
| Final Exam * | 40% |
| Total | 100% |
* Mandatory
Open Learning Faculty Member
An Open Learning Faculty Member is available to assist students. Primary communication is through the “mail” tool in the Learning Environment or by phone. You will receive the necessary contact information when you start your course.