PSY 204: CONDITIONING & LEARNING

PSY 204: CONDITIONING & LEARNING

Course Description: Psy 204: Introduction to Learning (GS) is “a general survey of the learning area, including animal and human experiments, with the applicability of learning principles being discussed”. The prerequisite course is Psy 002.This is a three-credit psychology course designed to fulfill a General Studies requirement in the area of the social and behavioral sciences. Learning is one of the historically traditional and basic areas of psychology. It is something that all animals with a developed brain can do. Plants can't, bacteria can’t, viruses can’t, and low-level parasitic worms can’t! It allows us to modify our behavior and better adapt under changing conditions for purposes of survival.

Much of the research discussed will be from the classical and fascinating animal studies that span the history of psychology. It will include ethology and animal behavior, keeping in mind that the primary focus of this course is on understanding human learning and conditioning. Later on it will get into discussions of developmental and social-cognitive issues. It will also include applications for training your pets, raising children, and behavior therapy. For anyone interested in a more complete understanding of human behavior, from basic experimental research to educational and clinical applications, this course is will give a basic understanding..

Required Textbooks:

LeFrancois, G (2000) Theories of human learning: What the old man said (4th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thompson

Alloway, T., Wilson, G., et al. (2000). Sniffy: The virtual rat: Lite version. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thompson.

Course Requirements:

1. There will be four in-class exams, of which the lowest can be dropped, plus a final which cannot be dropped. Each exam will consist of a mixed format questions, objective, matching, and short-answers.

2. Total points for the course is 400. The four exams equally 100 points each for a total of 400 points.

Final Grade Scores: A 380 A- 360 B+ 351 B 337 B- 320 C+ 300 C 280 D 240 F<240

Examinations Policy: Examinations will be given on the dates listed. Any change in date will be announced by me at least one class period in advance. Any questions about exam scores or grade adjustments need to be completed within one week of the return of the examination. Please meet with your course T.A, Anita Tan, who will have all the exams. For any other course-related questions or problems please see me. Each letter grade and its adjusted percent scores are as follows:

A 95, A- 90.0, B+ 88, B 84, B- 80, C+ 75, C 70, D 60, F 60<.

Please do not call us asking when exams results will be ready or for any individual test scores. With a class this size, a week will be considered for minimum grading time. We will announce exam results just as soon as they are posted.

2. Re-scheduled exams. Except for some official reason for missing an exam, there will be no re-scheduled or make-up tests. For personal, or other unofficial, reasons for missing an exam, that one will become your drop exam. You may ask to reschedule an exam only for the three following reasons:

1) For an official University reason which requires an excuse written by a University official,

2) For a serious illness requiring physician's care at the time of your exam, and for which you signed a release at Medical Records so your absence at exam time can be confirmed (this does not include being excused for making appointments for physical, dental, or other such examinations during exam time), and

3) For a serious personal or family problem for which you or a friend has notified the Student Life Office in the Boucke Building, who will then notify me and the rest of your instructors.