PSY511 The Introduction to Psychology: Selected Issues

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2009
Extent and Intensity
0/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Michaela Porubanová (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Michaela Porubanová
Department of Psychology – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Michaela Porubanová
Timetable
Wed 8:00–9:00 U43
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 25 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/25, only registered: 0/25, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/25
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
after completing the course students should be able: -to understand main concepts in psychology -to understand how psychology as a scientific discipline evolve -to dinstinguish among different subfiels of psychology -to interpret different approaches in psychology and psychotherapy (humanistic, psychoanalysis, behavioral,existential, constructivism)
Syllabus
  • The following topics will be covered: Introduction to Psychology: Historical Underpinnings of Psychology. Philosophical Underpinnings of Psychology (Aristotle vs. Plato, Heracleitus vs. Democritos), materialism, idealism (Berkeley), psycho-physical parallelism, empiricism, cartesian philosophy, asocianism, functionalism... Psychology as a Science: Methods in Psychology. Research in Psychology and Role of Epistemology in Psychological Research. Cognitive Psychology: Perception, Attention, Memory, Thinking. Problem Solving. Approaches to Intelligence. Cognitive Science. Interdisciplinary Approach to Mind. Personality in Context of Psychological Theories. Main Theories of Personality and their Implications. Social Psychology: Social Perception; Mechanism of Group Influence on an Individual. Introduction to Mental Disorders. Mental Disorders and Role of Neurophysiology vs. Role of Social and Environmental Factors. Psychotherapy. Schools of Psychotherapy and their Approaches to Treatment of Mental Disorders. Note: This class is taylored for students of any field of study. International students have priority. The topics are subject to change. The class will have a structure consisting of lecture, plus (and mostly) of discussion and students’ presentations. Lecturing will mostly cover the main theories, furthemore critical analysis of those will follow. Literature and relevant articles will be provided one (in some cases two) week before the topic to be covered. Class attendance: 80 % of class attendance is required. Class will consist of lecture and seminar, mostly of an interactive nature. Papers: One final essay on covering topics (upon a choice), and one presentation (interconnection between psychology and subject of their study) will be required. Students will be assigned a group project on a selected issue. Literature: will be provided in the class. Recommended: Gray, P. (2002). Psychology. Worth Publishers.
Literature
  • Introduction to psychology (MDO) : Student guide for Hilgard and Atkinson's Introduction to psychology (Supl.). info
  • Cornestones of psychology :readings in the history of psychology. Edited by David Boynton-Heining - R. John Huber - Cynthia Edwards. Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace College publishers, 2000, viii, 330. ISBN 0-15-505457-0. info
  • STRAUB, Richard O. and David G. MYERS. Discovering psychology :a guide to active study to accompany David G. Myers Psychology. 2nd ed. New York: Worth publishers, 1989, xii, 387 s. ISBN 0-87901-401-6. info
  • KLEIN, D. B. A history of scientific psychology : its origins and philosophical backgrounds. 1st pub. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1970, xii, 907. ISBN 0710069642. info
Teaching methods
lecture (half of the class) discussion (half of the class) project(psychologist in theory of personality) reading materials provided (artciles pertaining to a specific class topic)
Assessment methods
presentation of a project written exam at the end (20 points maximum: at least 14 points necessary for successful completion) essay concerning a prior arranged topic
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2004, Spring 2005, Autumn 2005, Autumn 2006, Spring 2007.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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