Professor: Department
Semester: Fall, Spring
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: none

Catalog Description: Introductory survey course of the major facts and principles of human behavior. Prerequisite for students interested in professional work in psychology or academic fields in which an extended knowledge of psychology is basic.

This course provides a broad survey of the field of psychology. It will introduce students to the many topics referred to as "psychological." By the end of the semester students will be able to:

• Examine human differences
• Read complex texts
• Write effectively

This course requires the student to be an active participant in learning. Pedagogical methods include lecture, discussion, audiovisuals, self-assessments, research participation, group exercises and activities. Each student is required to write short academic papers for students to demonstrate their course competencies, in addition to enhancing the experiential components of the course.

Class Topics:

• Research Methodology
• Experimentation
• Correlation
• Applied Social Psychology: Racism
• Ethical Considerations in Research
• Introduction to The Biological Foundation
• Intra-neuronal and Inter-neuronal Functioning
• The Human Brain
• Psychophysics of Sensation
• Human Vision
• Human Perception
• Introduction to Developmental Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Social and Moral Development
• Introduction to Learning
• Classical Conditioning
• Operant Conditioning
• Memory
• Theories for Understanding Personality
• Assessing Personality
• Motivational Theories
• The Study of Emotions
• Introduction to Psychopathology

The Department of Psychology offers this critical course in multiple formats. We offer a large lecture course that meets twice a week with an additional weekly recitation section. In addition, we offer smaller sections of this course that do not include recitation sections.

The PSY 113 large lecture course is taught by Dr. Su Boatright who is a Professor in the Department of Psychology affiliated with the Behavioral Science Program. She also serves as the Undergraduate Program Director in the Department. Her research interests include Antiracism teaching; Public perceptions of domestic violence; Primate learning and cognition (journal review, only); and Undergraduate research, teaching, and programming.

Smaller sections of PSY 113 are taught by other faculty; please refer to the URI Course Schedule.

This is a required psychology course that lays the foundation for understanding the basic concepts of psychological topics. It serves as a prerequisite for many Psychology courses. This is an important course for students interested in professional work in psychology or for those wanting to apply to graduate school.

The American Psychological Association website offers useful information about psychologists and topics in the field. Make sure to browse through this if you want to learn more about a specific area.