COURSE OUTLINE

GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY

1. The Nature of Psychology

a. What psychology is c. Aspects of Psychology
b. Goals of psychology d. The Development of Psychology

2. The Fields of Psychology

3. Psychological Research
a. Principles that guide psychological research
b. Methods of psychological research
1. Observational Techniques: 2. Clinical Method: Limitations and Advantages
Limitations and Advantages 3. Survey Method: Limitations and Advantages
a. introspection b. naturalistic 4. Experimental Method: Limitations and Advantages

4. General Assumptions of Human Behavior

a. biological perspective e. evolutionary perspective
b. behavioral perspective f. humanistic perspective
c. cognitive perspective g. psychodynamic perspective
d. cross-cultural perspective

5. Human Growth and Development

a. The nature of human growth and development
b. Major theories and issues on human growth and development
1. Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory
2. Freud’s Psychosexual Development Theory
3. Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Theory

6. Learning
a. What learning is d. Learning styles
b. Theories of learning e. Laws of learning
c. Factors that affect learning

7. Motives
a. Concept of motivation c. Conflict of motives
b. Theories of motivation
1. Instinct Theory 5. Psychoanalytic Theory
2. Drive Reduction Theory 6. Humanistic Theory
3. Arousal Theory 7. Expectancy Theory
4. Incentive Theory 8. Goal Setting Theory

8. Personality and Its Assessment

a. Concepts of personality c. Personality Theories
b. Factors that shape one’s personality d. Methods in assessing personality

9. Individual Differences
a. Individual differences d. Measuring intelligence
b. Concept of intelligence e. Classification of intelligence
c. Theories of intelligence f. Creativity

10. Frustration, Conflict, and Stress

a. Frustration e. Stress
b. Reactions to frustration f. Sources of stress
c. Conflict g. Reactions to stress
d. Types of conflict h. Defense mechanisms

11. Psychology and Society

a. What stereotyping is c. The effect of mass media on society
b. Prejudice and discrimination d. The influence of environmental psychology