SSC 121 Introduction to Psychology

Content

Why do we feel, think and behave the way we do? Why do we dream, forget and remember, even the most haunting or upsetting events? And how do we do it? What is personality and how does personality change over time? What makes it possible for us to sympathize with others and why do we have that ability? What is it in people that makes them irrationally anxious, angry, aggressive, and depressed? And what it is in their environments that evokes such emotions? When are feelings, thoughts and
behaviors pathological and what can we do either to prevent that from happening or to ‘correct’ it? Psychology is the science of our mental life and behavior. Psychology’s goal is to describe, explain, predict and control behavior in a science-based way and to enable people, whenever possible and desirable, to do that for themselves or for those near and dear or entrusted to them. In this sense psychology actually has a fifth goal: to improve. Not only do psychologists attempt to control behavior, they want to do so in a positive manner, they want to improve a person’s life, not make it worse. This is not always the case, but it should always be the intention. The primary objective of this introductory course in psychology is to explore the subject matter of the field, to become familiar with its vocabulary and key concepts and with research findings upon which psychology’s knowledge of human mental life and behavior is based. Another objective of the course is to promote development of critical thinking skills and to prepare students to be cautious and analytical consumers of information that is proclaimed scientific or based on research. A third goal of the course is that students derive personal benefits from it. Hopefully, at the end of the term they will have increased their understanding and acceptance of themselves and others.

Instructor

Eri Park

Track

Psychology

Period

Fall / 2010

Required for

This course is required in order to take the following courses:

• SSC 221 Social Psychology
• SSC 222 Abnormal Psychology
• SSC 223 Lifespan Developmental Psychology
• SSC 226 Medical and Health Psychology
• SSC 243 Environment and Society
• SSC 323 Psychotherapy and Behavior Changes

This course is an alternative requirement for the following courses:

• A&H 275 Emotions. A Social and Cultural History
• SCI 235 Psycholinguistics
• SSC 324 The Psychology of Organizations, Management and Leadership