MIDLANDS STATE UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
BSc HONOURS PSYCHOLOGY (HPSY)
MODULE OUTLINE

MODULE TITLE : INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY

MODULE CODE : PSY 32
CREDITS :4

PRE-REQUISITES : NONE
LECTURER : L. Hombarume
OFFICE : Room 71 (in Lecture Room 70, 2nd Floor)

1.0 MODULE INTRODUCTION

Have you ever tried to understand how phobias develop; why some people are left
handed and others right handed; the nature-nurture debate; whether men are from Mars
and women from Venus; the nature of and why we dream; forgetting and why it occurs;
the different types of intelligence; how babies develop before birth; the role of learning
and culture in emotions; the different types of personality; how to tell if a person a lying;
why you fall in [and out] of love and how addictions develop. This introductory module
to psychology will give you insights on these and many other aspects on the most
complex physical entity in the universe: the human being.

2.0 MODULE DESCRIPTION AND AIMS

The module will introduce the student to the fundamental principles of psychology. It is
designed to not only provide the tools necessary to study human behaviour and mental
processes but to present a sample of the major areas of psychology as a discipline. The
module will explore the seven integrative domain of psychology namely biological,
evolutionary, cognitive, developmental, social and clinical psychology. The module is
designed for the single-semester introduction to psychology module. A comprehensive
coverage of core concepts will be grounded in both classic studies and current and
emerging research, including coverage of the DSM-5 in discussions of psychological
disorders. The emphasis of the module is two-fold: first, so that students appreciate the
diversity and richness of the discipline of psychology; second, to acquaint students with
the important principles, theories, concepts and findings in psychology.
3.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this module students will be able to

 Understand the terminology and concepts of psychology.

 Understand the research upon which the knowledge of human thought and
behaviour is based

 Understand how critical thinking skills are developed

 Be a cautious and analytical consumer of information that is proclaimed to be

scientific or based on research

 Describe the critical developments that led to the present discipline of psychology

 Describe and apply psychological theory in some areas of his/her life

4.0 CONTACT
Lectures will constitute 3 hours a week. Should there be need extra lectures will be
scheduled. Attendance at every class is in your best interests. There is traditionally a
strong relationship between class attendance and grades. Prolonged personal illness or
family crisis should be brought to my attention. Lectures will be supplemented by group
discussions and presentations. Tutorials will be conducted once a week for an hour a
session. Attendance is mandatory and classroom participation imperative. ONLY
registered students or those with Changamire results slips for the previous semester will
be allowed to attend classes.

5.0 ASSESSMENT
5.1 CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT
In-class assignments and tests will constitute 40% of the final mark. Each piece of
assessment must be completed. All assignments/projects must be completed and
presented for marking by the due date. Marks will be deducted for late work and
unfounded reasons. No assignment will be accepted more than ONE week after the due
date. Students will be penalized 10% for the first day and 5% per day thereafter for late
submission. All assignments must be submitted by the student in person to the lecturer.
Should one decide to submit by proxy; it is the student’s sole responsibility to secure
their work to prevent inadvertent copying. The University`s Plagiarism Policy will apply.
Copying of each other’s work is strictly forbidden. Should it occur, a zero mark is given
to all involved and other disciplinary measures may be used. Essays should be a
MAXIMUM of 8 typed pages (spacing 11/2). American Psychological Association (APA,
4th Edition) style citations will apply.
5.2 EXAMINATIONS
There will be final examination of a minimum of three hours at the end of the semester.
The exam will constitute 60% of your final mark. Students should note that they cannot
sit for the final exam without the requisite continuous assessment

6.0 CONTENT

6.1 INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW

6.1.1 What is Psychology?
6.1.2 Fields of Psychology
6.1.3 Historical Development
6.1.4 How Psychologist view Behaviour and Mental Processes
6.1.5 Careers in Psychology

6.2 RESEARCH IN PSYCHOLOGY

6.2.1 Intuition
6.2.2 Critical Thinking
6.2.3 The Scientific Method
6.2.4 Research Methods
6.2.5 Critical Research Issues

6.3 PSYCHOBIOLOGY
6.3.1 Neurons and Neurotransmitters
6.3.2 The Nervous System
6.3.3 The Brain and Spinal Cord
6.3.4 The Endocrine System

6.3.5 Nature and Nurture

6.4 CONSCIOUSNESS
6.4.1 What is Consciousness?
6.4.2 Sleep and Dreams
6.4.3 Altered States of Consciousness
6.4.4 Altering Consciousness through Drugs

6.5 LEARNING
6.5.1 What is learning?
6.5.2 Classical Conditioning
6.5.4 Operant Conditioning
6.5.5 Cognitive Approaches to Learning
6.5.6 Biological Factors in Learning

6.6 MEMORY
6.6.1 Memory Systems and Processes
6.6.2 Stages of Memory
6.6.3 Forgetting
6.6.4 Problems with Memory and ways to enhance Memory

6.7 DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

6.7.1 Basic Process of Development
6.7.2 Lifespan Theories
6.7.3 Prenatal Development
6.7.4 Infancy and Childhood
6.7.5 Adolescence

6.7.6 Adulthood
6.7.7 Death and Dying
6.8 PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS ( ref to DSM 5)
6.8.1 What are Psychology Disorders?
6.8.2 Diagnosing and Classifying Psychological Disorders
6.8.3 Perspectives on Psychological Disorders
6.8.4 Anxiety Disorders
6.8.5 Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders
6.8. 6 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

6.8.7 Mood Disorders

6.8.8 Schizophrenia
6.8.9 Dissociative Disorders
6.8.10 Personality Disorders
6.8.11 Disorders of Childhood

6.9 LEGAL AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES

6.9.1 Health Professions Act
6.9.2 Allied Health Practitioner Council
6.9.3 Internship Categories and Specifications
6.9.4 Continuous Professional Development
6.9.5 Ethics

7.0 READING LIST

Feldman, R. (2011). Understanding Psychology. New York: Macgraw-Hill.
[BF121FEL]

Lahey, B., (2003) Psychology: An Introduction. New York: McGraw Hill

[BF121LAH]
Banyard, P., Davies, M.N.O., Norman,C., & Winder, B.(2010). Essential Psychology: A
concise introduction. Los Ageles: Sage. [BF121ESS]

Coon D., & Mittener J.O (2011). Introduction to Psychology. Belmont: Wadsworth.
[BF121C00]
Fernald, B (2008). Psychology: Six perspectives. California: Sage. [BF212FER]

Graham,P.,(Ed). (2004). Complete Psychology. London: Hodder & Stoughton.

[BF121GRA]

Gross, R. (2010). Psychology: The science of mind and behaviour. London: Hodder &
Stoughton. [BF121GRO

Schacter, D.L., Gilbert,D.T., Wegner, D.M & Nock, M.K. (2015). Introducing
Psychology. New York: Worth Publishers. [BF121INT]

Swartz,L., Rey, C., Duncan, N & Townsend (2011). Psychology: An Introduction. Cape
Town: Oxford University Press.

Wood, S.E & Wood, E.G (2000). The essential World of Psychology. Boston: Allyn &
Bacon. [BF121WOO]

You can also access E-Books from the Library Resources Portal.