ACSW_PYSC100: Psychology Fundamentals

About Course

The course introduces the basic concepts and core topics in the study of the origins and variations in human behavior.
Students will be introduced to sense and perception, consciousness, memory, learning, language and thought, and psychological disorders.
Students will also be introduced to psychological assessment and therapeutic practice.

After the completion of this course you will be able to delve into the following mentioned streams of Psychology

Therapy
Counseling
Education
Mental Health Support
Private Health Care
Public Health Care
Social Work
Psychiatrist

Demonstrate an understanding of basic psychological terminology and concepts and theories.
Identify and describe important historical developments in psychology.
Critically analyze information about human behavior and distinguish between conclusions supported by scientific evidence.
Demonstrate applied psychology analysis and evaluative skills.
Describe the structure and function of the various components and regions of the human brain.
Describe the structure and function of the various human sensory systems.
Identify and describe the different types of learning, behaviour and conditioning.
Identify and describe the different levels of consciousness, perception and sensation.
Describe the stages of human development.
Explain the process of language development and the role of language in understanding the world around us.
Discuss the role of culture and society on our understanding of human psychology.

Course Content

Module 1

Topic 1: Psychology a History

00:00
LO1: Define key Psychological Schools of Thought and their Evolution

00:00
LO2: Identify the major thinkers and philosophical movements that influenced the development of psychology as a scientific discipline

00:00
LO3: Describe the emergence of experimental methods in psychology and their impact on the field

00:00
LO4: Analyze the ethical considerations that have arisen throughout the history of Psychology

00:00
LO5: Knowledge Check
Case Study: Psychology a History
Topic 2: Psychology Research

00:00
LO1: Describe how psychological research contributes to our understanding of mental processes and behavior

00:00
LO2: Identify the different types of research designs used in psychology

00:00
LO3: Interpret research findings, considering their strengths, limitations, and generalizability

00:00
LO4: Summarize the ethical considerations involved in specific research methodologies

00:00
LO5: Knowledge Check
Case Study: Psychology Research
Topic 3: Human Behavior

00:00
LO1: Define the Key Concepts and Theories related to Human Behavior

00:00
LO2: Explain how the Nervous System, and Brain Structures influence Human Behavior

00:00
LO3: Analyze how Cognitive Biases and Heuristics can influence Decision-making and Judgment

00:00
LO4: Explain the basic principles of learning in the context of Classical Conditioning, Operant Conditioning, and Observational Learning

00:00
LO5: Knowledge Check
Case Study: Human Behavior
Topic 4: Sensation and Perception

00:00
LO1: Define the basic processes of Sensation and How Sensory Information is received by the Brain

00:00
LO2: Demonstrate the different sensory systems and their unique functions

00:00
LO3: Analyze the role of Attention and Selective Perception in shaping our understanding of Sensory Information

00:00
LO4: Explain how our Understanding of Sensory limitations can inform the Design of safer or more User-friendly Environments

00:00
LO5: Knowledge Check
Case Study: Sensation and Perception
Topic 5: Consciousness Conditioning

00:00
LO1: Define key concepts related to Consciousness, Including Wakefulness, Awareness, and Altered States

00:00
LO2: Explain the core concepts of Classical Conditioning using Pavlov’s Experiment as a Model

00:00
LO3: Identify the Stages and Functions of Sleep, including REM and non-REM sleep

00:00
LO4: Knowledge Check
Case Study: Consciousness Conditioning
Topic 6: Types of Learning

00:00
LO1: Define the different types of Learning

00:00
LO2: Compare and Contrast the different Learning theories Highlighting their Strengths and Limitations

00:00
LO3: Explain how Habituation allows us to filter out unimportant stimuli and How Sensitization can increase our responsiveness to significant stimuli

00:00
LO4: Analyze the role of Cognitive Factors like Memory, Attention, and Motivation in influencing Learning

00:00
LO5: Knowledge Check
Case Study: Types of Learning
Topic 7: Types of Memory

00:00
LO1: List different types of Memory, including Sensory Memory, Short-Term Memory, and Long-Term Memory

00:00
LO2: Explain the distinctions between Explicit and Implicit Memory

00:00
LO3: Paraphrase factors that influence Memory Accuracy and Forgetting, including Interference Decay

00:00
LO4: Knowledge Check
Case Study: Types of Memory
Topic 8: Components and Physiology of Memory

00:00
LO1: Quote the key components of Memory, Including Encoding, Storage, and Retrieval

00:00
LO2: Apply knowledge of Memory Processes to understand Memory Disorders and Cognitive Enhancements

00:00
LO3: Discuss the role of Neurotransmitters, such as Acetylcholine and Dopamine, in Memory Formation

00:00
LO4: Knowledge Check
Case Study: Components and Physiology of Memory
Topic 9: Intelligence Language

00:00
LO1: Define Intelligence and Describe different Theoretical Perspectives on Intelligence, such as Psychometric and Cognitive Approaches

00:00
LO2: Explain the Development of Intelligence across the Lifespan, from Infancy to Adulthood

00:00
LO3: Describe how Intelligence is measured and assessed, including the use of IQ Tests and other Assessment Tools

00:00
LO4: Knowledge Check
Case Study: Intelligence Language
Topic 10: Problem Solving

00:00
LO1: Define Problem-Solving and differentiate it from Decision-Making

00:00
LO2: Discuss the role of Creativity and Divergent thinking in generating Novel Solutions to Problems

00:00
LO3: Analyze the Nature of the Problem itself influences the Strategies we Employ

00:00
LO4: Knowledge Check
Case Study: Problem Solving
Topic 11: Decision Making

00:00
LO1: Explain Cognitive Biases and Heuristics that Influence Decision Making

00:00
LO2: Analyze the impact of Emotions and Intuition on Decision-Making

00:00
LO3: Analyze the potential for biases based on Cultural Background or Social Identity to influence our Decisions

00:00
LO4: Knowledge Check
Case Study: Decision Making
Topic 12: Motivation and Emotions

00:00
LO1: Define Motivation and Explain its role in Initiating, Directing, and Sustaining Behavior

00:00
LO2: Analyze different theories of Emotion and Exploring how Emotions Arise

00:00
LO3: Explore the impact of Cultural Background on the Expression and Interpretation of Emotions

00:00
LO4: Knowledge Check
Case Study: Motivation and Emotions
Topic 13: Personality and Behaviour

00:00
LO1: Define Personality and Identify key theories of Personality

00:00
LO2: Explain how Personality Influences Behavior across different Situations and Contexts

00:00
LO3: Discuss the Influence of Genetics, Environment, and Culture on the formation of Personality

00:00
LO4: Knowledge Check
Case Study: Personality and Behavior
Topic 14: Attitude

00:00
LO1: Define Attitudes and Differentiate between their three Key Components

00:00
LO2: Evaluate the Effectiveness of different Strategies for promoting Positive Social change through Attitude Modification

00:00
LO3: Knowledge Check
Case Study: Attitude
Module Based Quiz

About Course

What Will You Learn?

Course Content

Module 1

Topic 1: Psychology a History

LO1: Define key Psychological Schools of Thought and their Evolution

LO2: Identify the major thinkers and philosophical movements that influenced the development of psychology as a scientific discipline

LO3: Describe the emergence of experimental methods in psychology and their impact on the field

LO4: Analyze the ethical considerations that have arisen throughout the history of Psychology

LO5: Knowledge Check

Case Study: Psychology a History

Topic 2: Psychology Research

LO1: Describe how psychological research contributes to our understanding of mental processes and behavior

LO2: Identify the different types of research designs used in psychology

LO3: Interpret research findings, considering their strengths, limitations, and generalizability

LO4: Summarize the ethical considerations involved in specific research methodologies

LO5: Knowledge Check

Case Study: Psychology Research

Topic 3: Human Behavior

LO1: Define the Key Concepts and Theories related to Human Behavior

LO2: Explain how the Nervous System, and Brain Structures influence Human Behavior

LO3: Analyze how Cognitive Biases and Heuristics can influence Decision-making and Judgment

LO4: Explain the basic principles of learning in the context of Classical Conditioning, Operant Conditioning, and Observational Learning

LO5: Knowledge Check

Case Study: Human Behavior

Topic 4: Sensation and Perception

LO1: Define the basic processes of Sensation and How Sensory Information is received by the Brain

LO2: Demonstrate the different sensory systems and their unique functions

LO3: Analyze the role of Attention and Selective Perception in shaping our understanding of Sensory Information

LO4: Explain how our Understanding of Sensory limitations can inform the Design of safer or more User-friendly Environments

LO5: Knowledge Check

Case Study: Sensation and Perception

Topic 5: Consciousness Conditioning

LO1: Define key concepts related to Consciousness, Including Wakefulness, Awareness, and Altered States

LO2: Explain the core concepts of Classical Conditioning using Pavlov’s Experiment as a Model

LO3: Identify the Stages and Functions of Sleep, including REM and non-REM sleep

LO4: Knowledge Check

Case Study: Consciousness Conditioning

Topic 6: Types of Learning

LO1: Define the different types of Learning

LO2: Compare and Contrast the different Learning theories Highlighting their Strengths and Limitations

LO3: Explain how Habituation allows us to filter out unimportant stimuli and How Sensitization can increase our responsiveness to significant stimuli

LO4: Analyze the role of Cognitive Factors like Memory, Attention, and Motivation in influencing Learning

LO5: Knowledge Check

Case Study: Types of Learning

Topic 7: Types of Memory

LO1: List different types of Memory, including Sensory Memory, Short-Term Memory, and Long-Term Memory

LO2: Explain the distinctions between Explicit and Implicit Memory

LO3: Paraphrase factors that influence Memory Accuracy and Forgetting, including Interference Decay

LO4: Knowledge Check

Case Study: Types of Memory

Topic 8: Components and Physiology of Memory

LO1: Quote the key components of Memory, Including Encoding, Storage, and Retrieval

LO2: Apply knowledge of Memory Processes to understand Memory Disorders and Cognitive Enhancements

LO3: Discuss the role of Neurotransmitters, such as Acetylcholine and Dopamine, in Memory Formation

LO4: Knowledge Check

Case Study: Components and Physiology of Memory

Topic 9: Intelligence Language

LO1: Define Intelligence and Describe different Theoretical Perspectives on Intelligence, such as Psychometric and Cognitive Approaches

LO2: Explain the Development of Intelligence across the Lifespan, from Infancy to Adulthood

LO3: Describe how Intelligence is measured and assessed, including the use of IQ Tests and other Assessment Tools

LO4: Knowledge Check

Case Study: Intelligence Language

Topic 10: Problem Solving

LO1: Define Problem-Solving and differentiate it from Decision-Making

LO2: Discuss the role of Creativity and Divergent thinking in generating Novel Solutions to Problems

LO3: Analyze the Nature of the Problem itself influences the Strategies we Employ

LO4: Knowledge Check

Case Study: Problem Solving

Topic 11: Decision Making

LO1: Explain Cognitive Biases and Heuristics that Influence Decision Making

LO2: Analyze the impact of Emotions and Intuition on Decision-Making

LO3: Analyze the potential for biases based on Cultural Background or Social Identity to influence our Decisions

LO4: Knowledge Check

Case Study: Decision Making

Topic 12: Motivation and Emotions

LO1: Define Motivation and Explain its role in Initiating, Directing, and Sustaining Behavior

LO2: Analyze different theories of Emotion and Exploring how Emotions Arise

LO3: Explore the impact of Cultural Background on the Expression and Interpretation of Emotions

LO4: Knowledge Check