PSY105: General Psychology Lab — Spring 2020
This course is an introduction to scientific inquiry in psychology — involving lab studies of representative topics in psychology, data analysis and interpretation, group discussion, and written assignments.
Student Learning Outcomes
The successful student will:
- clearly articulate basic psychology concepts in discussion with other students;
- clearly articulate basic psychology concepts in written assignments;
- recognize the requirements of empirical investigation including the need for objectivity and the establishment of appropriate controls;
- collect and organize data from simple psychology studies;
- analyze, interpret, and report in writing, data collected in simple psychology studies; and
- critically evaluate the means by which we understand and learn about human behavior.
classroom: 501, Sibley Hall
instructor: Steve Mansfield
phone: 518 564 3384
office: 635 Sibley Hall
office hours: Tuesday 2-3pm, Thursday 1-3pm, or sign up for a time on Cardinal Star, or email me to arrange an appointment.
web site: https://facweb.plattsburgh.edu/steve.mansfield (short URL https://is.gd/5643384)
class time: Class meets once a week — the day and time depends on your section as follows:
| section | day/time | classroom | teaching assistant |
| A | Monday 1pm | Sibley 501E | Hailey |
| B | Monday 1pm | Sibley 501F | Krystal |
| C | Monday 2pm | Sibley 501E | Taylor |
| D | Monday 2pm | Sibley 501F | Yesha |
| E | Wednesday 1pm | Sibley 501E | Hailey |
| F | Wednesday 1pm | Sibley 501F | Krystal |
| G | Wednesday 2pm | Sibley 501E | Taylor |
| H | Wednesday 2pm | Sibley 501F | Yesha |
Text
There is NO textbook to buy for this class. However, you are required to print a copy of the PSY105 Lab Manual, available as a free download from the class web site. You must bring your lab manual to class with you each week. It contains all the instructions for every lab activity, and gives you a place to write in the data and other information that you will need when you write your homework assignments each week.
How this course works
After the introductory week (and the Psychology pretest which is held in second week of class) this course consists of 11 labs.
The procedure for each class lab is the same: It will start with a short quiz about the introductory material in the lab manual for that day's lab. You will then complete the lab activity, after which your TA will lead you in a group discussion. Each lab also has a written homework assignment.
Your grade
Each lab is graded out of 10 points.
Lab notes quiz (2pts)
Before each class, you should read the introduction on the worksheet and to review the instructions for that week's lab. There will be a short quiz on the introductory material at the start of each lab session.
Lab discussion (2pts)
After each lab activity is completed, there will be a group discussion based on the questions presented in the lab manual. It is important that you participate in this discussion. At the end of the discussion you will rate your own contribution to the discussion (on a 0–2pt scale). Your teaching assistant will also grade your contribution.
Homework (6pts)
Assignments
A short homework assignment is due for each lab. The assignments can be accessed from your personal PSY105 web page. The assignments are also printed in the lab manual so that you do not need to be at a computer to see the questions or to start working on your answers.
Submitting homework
Homework must be submitted via the link on your personal PSY105 web page. When you submit your homework, you will see a web page indicating the time and date you sent the assignment, along with a record of the work you sent. You must save this complete page (either save it on your computer or print it out) as proof that you completed the assignment, in case a discrepancy arises.
Spelling and grammar
Points will be deducted for poor spelling and grammar: 0.1 pts will be deducted for every error in excess of two (i.e., I will ignore your first two errors).
Some spelling and grammar errors are so egregious that they supersede the above rules. The following errors are each worth 0.2 pts, and the deduction is immediate.
Using the word of instead of have
Any misspelling of the word psychology
Using lowercase i instead of uppercase I
Using texting abbreviations
Work with 20 or more such errors will receive zero credit.
Homework deadlines
For the class labs, the homework assignment must be submitted by 11:59pm on day after lab. For example, if your section does lab on Wednesday, you must submit the homework for that lab before 11:59pm on Thursday.
For the online lab, the homework assignment is due on Tuesday 12/3 for sections A, B, C and D, and on Thursday 12/5 for sections E, F, G, and H.
Late work
Work submitted after the deadline will earn zero credit unless you have a valid and documented reason that prevented you from submitting your work on time. [In which case you should submit your work and then come and chat with me to explain why it is late.]
Submission problems
If you have an internet problem which, despite your best efforts, prevents you from submitting your homework through the web page, you can print out a complete copy of your assignment and bring it to me as soon as you can. However, in order to receive a grade, you will still be required to submit your homework via the online form once your internet problem is fixed.
Final exam (optional)
An optional final exam will be held during the final exam week. This exam will consist of 40 multiple-choice questions about the lab activities. It will focus on the key concepts, basic research methods, data interpretation and analysis, and the communication of research findings.
Each question is worth 0.25 points (i.e., the 40 questions total 10 points). Your grade on the final exam can be used to replace your second-lowest lab grade.
Overall grade computation
When I calculate your overall grade at the end of the semester I will drop your lowest scoring lab. I will then replace your next lowest scoring lab with your score from the final exam (if your final exam score is greater.) This will give you a score out of 100.
Grades
Your letter grade will be determined according to the following table.
| Percentage | Grade |
| ≥ 93 | A |
| ≥ 90 and < 93 | A− |
| ≥ 87 and < 90 | B+ |
| ≥ 83 and < 87 | B |
| ≥ 80 and < 83 | B− |
| ≥ 77 and < 80 | C+ |
| ≥ 73 and < 77 | C |
| ≥ 70 and < 73 | C− |
| ≥ 67 and < 70 | D+ |
| ≥ 63 and < 67 | D |
| < 63 | E |
The final application of these guidelines is subject to the discretion of the instructor.
Note: Except for the extra-credit opportunities stated in this syllabus, students will not be allowed to do any additional "extra work" to make up for poor performance in class.
Extra credit
Personal Reactions (0.25% each. Maximum 6)
Write a 1-page report (approximately 300 words) that describes how the material presented in a specific class was personally relevant to you. For example: What did you learn from a class? Did the material conform to your understanding of the world, or did it challenge your beliefs or opinions ... etc.?
To submit a personal reaction for extra credit follow the 'personal reaction' link once you have logged into the course web site. Your reaction must be sent within one week of the day the class was given, and you must have been present in class on that day.
Attendance
You are required to attend your lab section every week. You may not attend another lab section. Attendance will be taken at each lab.
Missing class results in you earning zero for that week's lab. Homework may only be submitted for labs you have attended.
You must arrive on time for each lab. If you arrive after the quiz has started you will not be allowed to take the quiz. If you arrive after the lab activity has started you will not be permitted to do the lab, and you will score zero for that lab.
Note that class will be held whenever classes are in session, including days surrounding holiday breaks. Please plan your travels accordingly. Missing class or lab because your ride is leaving early or getting back late is not an acceptable excuse.
Make-ups for missed labs
Absences will be excused only if you have a valid excuse (e.g., a doctor's visit, participation in college sports, etc). Send me an email from your college email account (with "PSY105 ABSENCE" as the subject line) stating your reason.
I will contact you prior to the make-up week, explaining your options for making up the work you have missed. In general, if you have a valid reason for missing lab then you will be allowed to make it up. Make-up labs will be done during the make-up week at the end of the semester.
If you do not have a valid reason for missing lab, then keep in mind that I automatically ignore your lowest scoring lab, and that you can take the final exam to replace the score of your next lowest lab too.
Communication
If you do not understand something, or you are unsure how to complete an assignment, the first thing you should do is contact me. I will help you if you ask.
Use your official college email account when you email me about this course. If you email me from something else, your message may be marked as junk/spam and I may never see it. You should plan to regularly check your campus account for email. I will use this as my official mode of communication for this class, and you are responsible for any information I send to your campus account.
If you leave me a phone message and you would like me to call you back, please include your name, state your phone number clearly at the start and end of your message, and suggest an appropriate time (or range of times) when I will be able to reach you.
You are responsible for all material presented and announcements made in class, whether you are in class or not.
Course web site
I make extensive use of my class web site for this course. You will need to use the class web site to access all the course materials, to submit homework, to send in extra credit assignments, and to review your grades.
You must check your grade page at least once a week
You can login in to the class website using the "student login" on my homepage: https://facweb.plattsburgh.edu/steve.mansfield (You can also use this shortened URL https://is.gd/5643384.) Enter your last name in the "last name" box, and your password into the "password" box. Your password will be initially set to your Banner ID number (you should change your password once you have logged in.)
If you are unable to access the class web site you should contact me.
Academic honesty
It is expected that all students enrolled in this class support the letter and the spirit of the Academic Honesty Policy as stated in the college catalog.
All cases of suspected academic dishonesty will be reported to the college judicial board in accordance with the college's procedures for addressing suspected academic dishonesty.
Student accommodations
If you are a student that requires academic or other accommodations, please contact the Student Accessibility Services (SAS) office — 011 Macomb Hall, call 518-564-3844 or email [email protected]. You must certify with this office before using accommodations.Schedule
| Week | Activity |
| 1 | Welcome to PSY105! |
| 2 | Psychology pretest |
| 3 | 1. Introducing psychology |
| 4 | 2. Brain maps |
| 5 | 3. Blind spot |
| 6 | 4. Stroop effect |
| 7 | 5. Mirror tracing |
| 8 | Spring break |
| 9 | 6. Memory palace |
| 10 | 7. Human factors |
| 11 | 8. Speed reading |
| 12 | 9. Personality |
| 13 | 10. Social psychology |
| 14 | Make ups |
| 15 | 11. Data analysis |
| 16 | Final exam week |