Psychology

Welcome to Week 1. This week you will Read Chapters 1-4 and complete the corresponding MindTap activities. Mastery trainings are worth 10 points each (40 points total) and will be counted towards your weekly grade.

The learning objectives/goals for each chapter is as follows:

Chapter 1 The Science of Mind: The Discipline of Psychology; you should be able to answer the following questions as it relates to the chapter’s learning objectives.

What is Psychology?
What is Psychology’s Roots?
How Did the Science of Psychology Begin?
What Are Psychological Perspectives?
What Does it Meant to Be a Psychologist?
Chapter 2 Learning Objectives/Goals:

Distinguish scientific reasoning from common sense.
Assess the use of case studies, naturalistic observations, and surveys to describe behavior.
Analyze the key features, strengths, and limitations of correlational and experimental methods.
Distinguish between reliability and validity.
Differentiate descriptive and inferential statistics.
Critique the ethical guidelines for using human and animal participants in research.
Chapter 3 Learning Objectives/Goals:

Analyze the role of genes as the building blocks of human nature.
Appraise the importance of heritability estimates, twin studies, adoption studies, and epigenetic analyses in the field of behavioral genetics.
Compare the roles played by mutation, natural selection, migration, and genetic drift as mechanisms of evolution.
Discuss how the human brain might represent an adaptation for coping with complex social behavior.
Explain the mechanisms by which intrasexual and intersexual selection might influence the evolution of human behavior.
Identify the cultural mechanisms by which nature and nurture can interact to influence human behavior.
Chapter 4 The Biological Mind Learning Objectives/Goals:

Identify the relevance of brain structures and processes for understanding mind and behavior.
Differentiate the major branches of the nervous system, explaining the core biological function of each branch.
Associate key structures in, and regions of, the brain and peripheral nervous system with important aspects of physical and psychological functioning.
Explain the process by which hormones influence psychological experience and behavior.
Describe the process by which neurons communicate with one another, allowing the nervous system to integrate complex information.
Differentiate the roles played by major neurotransmitters in supporting physical functioning and psychological experience.