*Introduction to Psychology

Lumen’s new Introductory Psychology course will be delivered in a new platform that brings together the best of Lumen’s teaching & learning solutions including a full suite of professional development resources to support evidence-based teaching.

The course is a comprehensive introduction to psychology. It covers the main psychological domains as recommended by the American Psychological Association (APA) and includes specific applications of the APA’s Introductory Psychology Initiative’s student learning outcomes and integrative themes.

With a focus on active learning, Introductory Psychology utilizes interactive content and practice with immediate feedback to maximize student understanding and retention. In addition to learning the material, students will also gain valuable study skills and see the practical applications of psychology to real life. In addition to learning the content, students have the opportunity to pause and apply their knowledge before participating in dynamic activities and discussions with their peers.

Highlights of this course:

  • Application exercises that connect to APA Learning Outcomes.
  • “Psych in Real Life” examples that help students think critically about experimental design, practice problems, self-check exercises, and module quizzes.
  • Extension Activities are provided to faculty to allow for further enrichment and enhancement.
  • Instructor resources package including easy-to-use, engaging PowerPoints and in-class activity suggestions, allowing for a flipped classroom approach.

 

Designed to Support Equity

Combining the best features across Lumen, Lumen One is the first courseware product built with a focus on equity. With support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Lumen One was developed to promote equitable outcomes in gateway courses. Lumen One’s unique features are specifically designed to boost participation, engagement, and overall learning to ensure success for all students.

Highlight features of Lumen One:

  • Tools to create and foster connection between faculty and students.
  • A Faculty Engagement center that provides faculty with easy-to-access actionable data to enable timely interventions when students need it the most.
  • Varied, relevant content designed to engage students.
  • Personalized study plans with immediate feedback to reinforce strong study skills.
  • Easy-to-use automated messaging tools to better support students.
  • Supported peer community to provide students with meaningful help from subject matter experts and peers.
  • Embedded resources to support faculty to use effective teaching practices and easily do their best work.

Content 

(Subject to minor changes prior to course release)

 

Psychological Foundations and Research Methods

Module 1: Psychological Foundations

  • APA Theme F: Applying psychological principles can change our lives, organizations, and communities in positive ways
  • The Early History of Psychology
  • Psychology Through the 20th Century
  • Psychological Domains and Perspectives
  • Careers in Psychology

Module 2: Psychological Research

  • APA Theme A: Psychological science relies on empirical evidence and adapts as new data develop
  • The Scientific Method
  • Ethics in Research
  • Types of Research
  • Correlational and Experimental Research
  • Statistical Thinking
  • How to Read Research
  • The Replication Crisis
    • Psych in Real: McCabe and Castel Research

Domain 1: Biological Psychology

Module 3: Biopsychology

  • APA Theme F: Applying psychological principles can change our lives, organizations, and communities in positive ways
  • Neural Communication
  • The Nervous System and Endocrine System
  • Parts of the Brain
  • The Limbic System and Other Brain Areas
  • Brain Imaging
  • Nature and Nurture
  • Gene-Environment Interactions

Module 4: State of Consciousness

  • APA Theme C: Psychological, biological, social, and cultural factors influence behavior and mental processes.
  • Consciousness and Biological Rhythms
    • Psych in Real Life: Consciousness and Blindsight
  • Sleep and Sleep Stages
  • Dreams and Dreaming
  • Sleep Problems and Disorders
  • Drugs and Consciousness
  • Hypnosis and Meditation

Domain 2: Cognitive Psychology

Module 5: Sensation and Perception

  • APA Theme E: Our perceptions and biases filter our experiences of the world through an imperfect personal lens.
  • Sensation and Perception
  • Vision
  • Hearing
  • Taste and Smell
  • Touch and Pain
  • The Vestibular Sense
  • Perception
  • Illusions
    • Psych in Real Life: The Ebbinghaus Illusion and miniature golf

Module 6: Thinking and Intelligence

  • APA Theme G: Ethical principles guide psychology research and practice.
  • What Is Cognition?
  • Solving Problems
    • Psych in Real Life: Choice Blindness
  • Intelligence and Creativity
  • Measures of Intelligence
  • The Source of Intelligence
  • Language and Language Use
  • Language Development

Module 7: Memory

  • APA Theme F: Applying psychological principles can change our lives, organizations, and communities in positive ways
  • Memory Encoding
  • Parts of the Brain Involved with Memory
  • Problems with Encoding
  • Amnesia and Forgetting
  • Eyewitness Testimony and Memory Construction
  • Ways to Enhance Memory

Domain 3: Developmental Psychology

Module 8: Learning

  • APA Theme A: Psychological science relies on empirical evidence and adapts as new data develop.
  • What Is Learning?
  • Classical Conditioning
  • Processes in Classical Conditioning
  • Operant Conditioning
  • Shaping
  • Reinforcement Schedules
  • Latent Learning
    • Psych in Real Life: Latent and Observational Learning
  • Observational Learning

Module 9: Lifespan Development

  • APA Theme B. Psychology explains general principles that govern behavior while recognizing individual differences.
  • What Is Lifespan Development?
  • Theories of Development
  • Prenatal Development
  • Physical and Cognitive Development during Childhood
  • Attachment Theory
  • Parenting Styles
  • Adolescence
  • Moral Development
    • Psych in Real Life: Moral Development in Infants
  • Prenatal Development
  • Emerging Adulthood and Adulthood
  • Death and Dying

Domain 4: Social and Personality Psychology

Module 10: Social Psychology

  • APA Theme D. Psychology values diversity, promotes equity, and fosters inclusion in pursuit of a more just society.
  • Social Psychology and Influences on Behavior
  • Social Norms and Scripts
  • Attitudes
  • Persuasion
  • Group Behavior
  • Conformity
  • Obedience
  • Aggression
  • The Bystander Effect
  • Prosocial Behavior
  • Attraction and Love
    • Psych in Real Life: Love and Pain
  • Prejudice and Discrimination

Module 11: Personality

  • APA Theme E. Our perceptions and biases filter our experiences of the world through an imperfect personal lens.
  • What is Personality?
  • The Psychodynamic Perspective
  • Neo-Freudians: Adler, Erikson, Jung, and Horney
  • Explaining Personality: Behavioral and Social Cognitive Approaches
  • Explaining Personality: Humanistic and Biological Approaches
  • Cultural Understandings of Personality
  • Trait Theories
  • Personality Assessment
    • Psych in Real Life: Blirtatiousness

Module 12: Emotion and Morivation

  • APA Theme B. Psychology explains general principles that govern behavior while recognizing individual differences.
  • Motivation
    • Psych in Real Life: Growth Mindsets
  • Hunger and Eating
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
  • Emotion
  • Expressing and Recognizing Emotion

Module 13: Industrial-Organizational Psychology

  • APA Theme D. Psychology values diversity, promotes equity, and fosters inclusion in pursuit of a more just society.
  • Industrial-Organizational Psychology
  • Selecting Employees
  • Job Satisfaction
  • Leadership and Organization
  • Human Factors Psychology and Workplace Design
  • Mental and Physical Health Domain

Domain 5: Mental and Physical Health

Module 14: Psychological Disorders

  • APA Theme C: Psychological, biological, social, and cultural factors influence behavior and mental processes.
  • Introduction to Psychological Disorders
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • OCD and PTSD
  • Mood Disorders
  • Schizophrenia and Dissociative Disorders
  • Personality Disorders
  • Childhood Disorders

Module 15: Therapy and Treatment

  • APA Theme A: Psychological science relies on empirical evidence and adapts as new data develop
  • Mental Health Treatment: Then and Now
    • Psych in Real Life: Reconsolidation
  • Types of Treatment and Psychoanalysis
  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
    • Psych in Real Life: Behavior Therapy
  • Humanistic Therapy and Other Treatments
  • Treatment Modalities

Module 16: Stress, Lifestyle, and Health

  • APA Theme F. Applying psychological principles can change our lives, organizations, and communities in positive ways.
  • Stress
  • Stressors
  • Stress and Illness
  • Regulating Stress
    • Psych in Real Life: Habits
  • Positive Psychology

Topic List by Module – subject to minor changes prior to course release.

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